Glossary

The concept that a carbon project's emission reductions or removals would not have occurred without the incentive of carbon finance.

Establishing forests on lands that have not been forested for a long period, typically 50 years or more.

Land-use system integrating trees, crops, and/or livestock on the same land.

A leading carbon offset program in the U.S., focused on science-based methodologies.

Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that occur outside a project's direct scope but are attributable to the project.

A hypothetical projection of what greenhouse gas emissions or removals would have been without a specific project or policy.

A stable, carbon-rich material created by heating biomass in a low-oxygen environment.

Producing energy from biomass and capturing/storing the CO₂ emitted.

Producing energy from biomass and capturing the CO₂ for utilization.

Removal of CO₂ by biological processes, often in natural ecosystems.

Carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems.

A reserve of carbon credits held back to cover potential reversals in carbon projects.

EU's carbon tariff on imports to prevent 'carbon leakage'.

Global non-profit running environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states, and regions.

A national carbon tax on industrial emissions in the Netherlands.

EU law for mandatory sustainability reporting by large companies.

The process of measuring, tracking, and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and removals.

Capturing CO₂ from point sources and storing it permanently underground.

Capturing CO₂ and using it to create products or services.

A transferable instrument representing one tonne of CO₂ equivalent reduced or removed.

Assessments of carbon credit quality based on various criteria.

A broad term for methods that remove CO₂ from the atmosphere.

Agricultural practices that increase carbon storage in soils and vegetation.

The total amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted directly and indirectly by an entity.

The amount of carbon emissions per unit of economic activity or energy consumed.

The process of converting CO₂ into stable, solid carbonate minerals.

Achieving a balance between carbon emitted and carbon removed or offset.

A reduction or removal of greenhouse gases used to compensate for emissions elsewhere.

A platform that tracks the issuance, ownership, and retirement of carbon credits.

A framework for certifying high-quality carbon removal projects.

A carbon credit specifically generated from verified carbon removal activities.

The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

The act of holding captured carbon dioxide in a reservoir.

Carbon removal refers to processes that actively take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and store it for the long term.

Concrete that removes more CO₂ than is emitted during its production.

A carbon offset registry for the North American market, known for its strict protocols.

A regulated market where carbon credits are traded to meet legally binding emission reduction targets.

A global benchmark for high-integrity carbon credits, developed by the ICVCM.

Technology that captures CO₂ directly from ambient air.

The ability of stored carbon to withstand reversal and remain sequestered over time.

The Netherlands' plan to achieve climate goals, involving various sectors.

Europe's cap-and-trade system for reducing industrial and power sector emissions.

The EU's overarching strategy for climate neutrality by 2050.

A classification system defining environmentally sustainable economic activities.

Any action that decreases the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.

Accelerating natural rock weathering to absorb CO₂.

Sustainable practices to enhance forests' carbon sequestration and overall health.

The most widely used global standard for greenhouse gas accounting.

Injecting and storing captured CO₂ in deep underground rock formations.

A premium standard for carbon projects, known for its strong focus on sustainable development benefits.

Practices that enhance carbon storage and ecosystem health in grasslands.

An independent governance body for high-integrity voluntary carbon markets.

Guidance for national greenhouse gas inventories, used for international reporting.

International standards for GHG accounting, verification, and validation.

Cultivating kelp for carbon sequestration and other uses.

EU rules for accounting GHG emissions and removals from land use.

The unintentional increase of emissions elsewhere due to a carbon reduction or removal project.

A method to assess the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life.

The systematic process of measuring, tracking, and validating greenhouse gas emissions or removals.

Restoring mangrove forests to enhance carbon sequestration and ecosystem services.

Previous EU law for non-financial reporting, replaced by CSRD.

Removing more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than are emitted.

Achieving a balance between anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and removals.

EU law to boost clean technology manufacturing for net-zero goals.

Adding alkaline substances to the ocean to increase CO₂ uptake.

Adding nutrients to surface oceans to stimulate phytoplankton growth and carbon uptake.

International treaty on climate change, aiming to limit global warming.

Restoring degraded peatlands to enhance their carbon sink function.

The duration for which carbon remains stored and prevented from returning to the atmosphere.

Mechanisms ensuring long-term carbon storage, mitigating reversal risks.

A standard for community-based land-use and forestry carbon projects, with a strong focus on poverty alleviation.

A registry and standard specifically for engineered carbon removal credits.

Replanting forests on lands that have recently been forested but cleared.

Holistic farming practices focused on soil health and ecosystem regeneration.

The time frame over which a carbon removal project can issue credits.

Emissions that remain after all feasible efforts to reduce them have been made.

A framework helping companies set emissions reduction targets aligned with climate science.

Direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or controlled by an organization.

Indirect greenhouse gas emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, heating, or cooling.

All other indirect greenhouse gas emissions that occur in a company's value chain.

Storing carbon in soils through improved land management practices.

Framework for reporting on climate-related financial risks and opportunities.

Framework for reporting on nature-related risks and opportunities.

An independent third-party organization that audits carbon projects and claims. Usually accredited under ISO 14065 or other standard-setting body.

A leading standard for certifying voluntary carbon projects, including removals and reductions.

A market where carbon credits are traded voluntarily by companies or individuals.

Rehabilitating degraded wetlands to restore ecological functions and carbon sequestration.