An Introduction to Carbon Credits

A carbon credit is a permit that allows the holder to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. One carbon credit typically represents one ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) removed, reduced, or avoided from the atmosphere. The concept of purchasing carbon credits is rooted in the idea of a cap-and-trade system, where a regulatory body sets a cap on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted. Companies are allocated or can purchase a certain number of credits, which they must surrender for every ton of CO2e they emit.

How Do Carbon Credits Work?

The functioning of carbon credits revolves around the principle of rewarding emission reductions. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

1. Emission Caps and Allocation: Regulatory bodies set a cap on emissions, and companies are allocated a specific number of carbon credits. This cap can be gradually reduced over time to ensure progressive emission cuts.

2. Trading: Companies that manage to emit less than their allocated amount can sell their surplus credits to companies that exceed their limits. This creates a financial incentive for companies to reduce their emissions.

3. Carbon Offset Projects: Apart from trading, companies can invest in projects that reduce or remove CO2e from the atmosphere, such as reforestation, renewable energy installations, and energy efficiency improvements. These projects can generate carbon offsets or credits, which can be sold in the carbon offset markets.

Why should levels of carbon and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere be reduced?

Researchers from the IPCC say the rising greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are warming the Earth. This results in extreme temperatures across the globe. CO2 is the largest greenhouse gas currently generated by coal, oil, and petroleum. In order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, we can reduce carbon dioxide levels by transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power, enhancing energy efficiency in industrial and residential sectors, and adopting alternative fuel types that produce fewer emissions. Additionally, reforestation and afforestation projects can help absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, while carbon capture and storage technologies offer a promising solution for mitigating emissions from existing fossil fuel use.

Considerations for funding climate action with carbon credits

How do companies choose climate change programs? Businesses can select the projects they wish to support, without any set rules or criteria. However it should be regarded that location has an affect on its effectiveness. The most efficient choice for companies to fight climate change would include investing in regionally diversified projects to reduce the impact of global emissions alone, if necessary. In the case of the host nation, a law or policy should be taken which could influence the development. It will also be more beneficial to focus on projects that are part of the area with its principal business activities.

How Companies Can Offset Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Offsetting carbon emissions involves balancing out emissions by investing in projects that either will reduce greenhouse gas emissions or absorb an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Here are some common methods:

1. Renewable Energy Projects: Investing in solar, wind, hydro, and other renewable energy projects can displace the need for fossil fuel-based energy, thus reducing emissions.

2. Energy Efficiency Improvements: Enhancing energy efficiency in industrial processes, power plants, buildings, and transportation can significantly cut down emissions.

3. Reforestation and Afforestation: Planting trees and restoring forests can absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, acting as carbon sinks.

4. Methane Capture: Projects that capture methane from landfills or agricultural operations prevent this potent greenhouse gas from entering the atmosphere.

5. Alternate Fuel Types: Switching from fossil fuels to biofuels or other low-carbon fuel alternatives can reduce the carbon footprint of transportation and industrial activities.

Types of offset projects

Many projects can help decrease GHG emissions by creating carbon offsets and credits. It is possible to reduce land waste by removing methane, converting biomass and renewable energy or using industrial energy efficient products. Offset projects includes reduction of methane, reforestation and changing fuel to carbon-neutral carbon-negative fuels. Developed by CIDC, there are nearly 200 project options that can generate CO2 offsets and credits. Offset certification and carbon trading schemes are different in their approach.

Where Can You Buy Carbon Credits?

Carbon credits can be purchased from various platforms and markets. These include:

1. Carbon Exchanges: Platforms like the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and the Chicago Climate Exchange facilitate the buying and selling of carbon credits.

2. Brokers:  Brokers - including StoneX - act as intermediaries, connecting buyers and sellers of carbon credits. For more information, please visit our carbon advisory services page.

3. Direct from Offset Projects: Companies can directly invest in specific carbon offsetting projects and receive credits in return.

4. Online Marketplaces: Websites like Gold Standard and Verified Carbon Standard offer verified carbon credits for purchase.

Explore our carbon consultancy services

StoneX offers carbon trading solutions for a greener future. For more information on our services, please visit Carbon Advisory Services.

Carbon advisory services

From carbon accounting and development of your neutrality strategy to your carbon credit sourcing, we've got you covered.

Carbon credit brokerage and trading

Access to carbon registries and custody services, B2B, OTC and exchange transactions, as well as clearing and execution services for the carbon market.

Carbon financial solutions

Project finance, assets monetization and access to funding – we can help you monetize the benefits of your climate action and mitigation.

Emission-reduction projects

We can help you at every stage of your emission-reduction project, including identification, feasibility, eligibility, registration and commercialization.

Want to learn more?

Contact a StoneX Carbon Solutions team member today.

How Large is the Carbon Credit Market?

The carbon credit market has seen substantial growth over the past decade. According to the World Bank, the value of global carbon markets reached approximately $277 billion in 2021. This includes both voluntary and compliance markets. The market is expected to continue expanding as more countries and companies commit to achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century.

The Two Types of Global Carbon Markets: Voluntary and Compliance

Global carbon markets are categorized into two main types: voluntary and compliance markets.

1. Voluntary Markets: These markets are driven by companies and individuals who choose to offset their carbon emissions voluntarily. There are no legal obligations, but participants are motivated by corporate social responsibility, consumer demand, and environmental stewardship. Projects in voluntary carbon reduction markets are often certified by standards like the Gold Standard or the Verified Carbon Standard.

2. Compliance Markets: These are regulated markets established by governments or international bodies. Companies operating in these markets must comply with emission caps set by local communities or regulatory authorities. The EU ETS is the largest compliance market, setting a cap on emissions from more than 11,000 power stations and industrial plants in the European Union.

The Voluntary Carbon Market

The first voluntary carbon markets and offset markets have been relatively small compared to the compliance markets, but will increase in the coming years. The vluntary carbon market program is for businesses that wish to reduce their carbon footprint but don't have a legal obligation to do so. Companies may purchase offset programs for high-emission activities such as long travel or purchase offset plans regularly to reduce their current carbon footprint. In a voluntary carbon market many companies are seeking to offset their footprints. For a more comprehensive fight against climate change, this sector needs to grow.

Voluntary vs Compulsory: The Biggest Difference Between Credits and Offsets

The main difference between voluntary and compliance markets comes down to two factors: participation and regulation.

Voluntary Markets: Participation is optional, and the market is primarily driven by the company or desire to improve corporate image, meet consumer demand, or achieve sustainability goals. The projects in these markets are usually smaller in scale and diverse in nature, ranging from community-based reforestation projects to innovative renewable climate and energy solutions themselves.

Compliance Markets: Participation in carbon removal projects is mandatory for companies within the scope of the regulations. The projects are often larger in scale and subject to stringent verification and monitoring requirements. The credits in compliance markets are used to meet legal emission reduction obligations.

Conclusion

Carbon credits play a vital role in the global effort to combat climate change. By creating financial incentives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, they encourage companies to innovate and invest in cleaner technologies and sustainable practices. As both voluntary and compliance markets continue to grow, carbon credits will remain a cornerstone of strategies to achieve a low-carbon future, fostering a healthier environment for generations to come. The integration of renewable energy, energy efficiency improvements, and the adoption of alternate fuel types are essential components of this transition, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient world.

FAQs

How can businesses benefit from implementing a carbon trading system?

Carbon pricing is established through an emissions trading system. This process involves firms purchasing allowances for each ton of greenhouse gases they emit, with the government limiting the supply of such permits. Businesses can trade these allowances, thus creating a market-driven price for emissions. Emissions trading programs can be designed to replicate the benefits of taxes through mechanisms such as price floors and revenue-raising measures like permit auctions.

How do I trade environmental commodities?

Depending on the specific environmental commodity and the market in which it is traded, they can either be traded over the counter in business-to-business basis or through exchange platforms in spot or future transactions. Our team has the expertise to assist you in accessing the markets and meeting your environmental commodities trading needs.

What are carbon credits, and how do they work for carbon reduction?

Carbon credits are tradable assets representing one ton of carbon dioxide resulting from climate mitigation activities that either avoid new carbon emissions or remove carbon from the atmosphere. To generate carbon credit, a company must register its climate mitigation project and emissions reduction targets in a market mechanism platform. Once the climate change mitigation project is registered and implemented, it must be monitored and then verified by an independent third party to ensure it has produced the desired outcome. Once verified the carbon credits are issued by the market mechanism platform and are ready to be traded. At this point, an individual or company can purchase carbon credits to offset their own emissions. With the end goal of net-zero, carbon credits help reduce worldwide greenhouse gas emissions and slow global warming.

What are environmental commodities?

Environmental commodities are financial instruments that represent the environmental benefits derived from activities that aim to reduce environmental impacts or promote sustainability. These commodities encompass a range of instruments, including carbon credits, emission allowances, renewable energy certificates, water conservation credits, and renewable natural gas certificates among others. They play a crucial role in the sustainable development agenda and contribute to the global efforts in combating climate change.

How do carbon offset programs contribute to environmental sustainability?

After producers cut emissions as much as possible, offsets can help pay for the costs of low-carbon technologies or environmental restoration projects to ‘offset' emissions that can't be avoided.

What is carbon offset, and how does it work?

Carbon offsets are a mechanism that allows organizations to compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions. This is done by paying someone else to eliminate an equal amount of emissions on their behalf. In exchange for payment, the organization earns a "carbon credit" that verifies a certain amount of carbon has been removed from the atmosphere. Carbon offsets can take the form of planting trees, investing in renewable energy projects, or helping developing countries reduce their fossil fuel consumption. In theory, purchasing carbon offsets should make sense because carbon emissions are a global issue, and it doesn't matter where they are reduced.

What is carbon trading and how does it work?

Carbon trade refers to the practice of buying and selling credits by carbon market consultants that allow companies or other entities to emit a specific amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. These carbon credits are authorized by governments to gradually reduce the emissions reductions and overall carbon emissions and mitigating their impact on climate change.

The trading of commodities and derivatives such as futures, options, and swaps involves substantial risk of loss and may not be suitable for all investors. Advisory services as well as the trading of futures and options is available through various subsidiaries of StoneX Group Inc. including but not limited to the FCM Division of StoneX Financial Inc. Public Disclosures for the FCM Division of StoneX Financial Inc. The trading of over-the-counter products or swaps is available through subsidiary StoneX Markets LLC to individuals or firms who qualify under CFTC rules as an eligible contract participant. Please click here for the full disclaimer.