Carbon credits allow companies to offset their greenhouse gas emissions through mitigation projects in order to meet voluntary targets, compliance obligations, or national net-zero goals. However, a recent analysis found that at least 84% of carbon credits did not represent real emissions reductions. Avoided emissions claimed by protecting forests can be double-counted—or reversed if those trees are later harvested—and some mitigation, such as certain renewable energy projects, would likely have gone forward even without being counted as a credit.

Carbon credits allow companies to offset their greenhouse gas emissions through mitigation projects in order to meet voluntary targets, compliance obligations, or national net-zero goals. However, a recent analysis found that at least 84% of carbon credits did not represent real emissions reductions. Avoided emissions claimed by protecting forests can be double-counted—or reversed if those trees are later harvested—and some mitigation, such as certain renewable energy projects, would likely have gone forward even without being counted as a credit.

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