Carbon Neutral Certification

Determine Your Carbon Footprint

The company interested in the carbon neutral certification has to define the subject under analysis and develop their carbon footprint. The carbon footprint must be representative of 12-months. 

Verify Subject's Footprint

For achievement or converting a commitment to achievement, the footprint must be independently verified to a limited level of assurance by a third party to ensure the footprint is accurate, complete and conforms to the applicable standard. For commitment certifications verification of the footprint is not required, but it is highly recommended to ensure accurate estimates. 

Establish and Implement Your Carbon Management Plan 

For the initial certification period, certification can be achieved solely through purchasing high-quality carbon credits. In subsequent years, certification shall include a combination of reductions of direct greenhouse gas emissions and purchase of carbon offsets. A documented Carbon Management Plan to manage and reduce GHG emissions must be developed and maintained by the applicant. Both standards, SCS’ and ISO 14068-1 have specific requirements for said plan. Ensure to get familiar with the standards to establish the plan.

Purchase and Retire Carbon Credits. 

Once the carbon footprint has been completed, sufficient carbon credits shall be pre-purchased and retired by the applicant. The reason for retirement must be clearly indicated on the registry where purchase and retirement take place. Similarly to the carbon management plan, both standards, SCS’ and ISO 14068-1 have specific requirements carbon credits. Ensure to get familiar with the standards to establish the plan 

Carbon Neutral Assessment  

Carbon Neutral certification for the assessment period is awarded if the retired carbon offsets are sufficient to cover the carbon footprint, and all requirements of the selected standard are met.  

The SCS carbon neutral logo and certificate will be issued stating the commitment and/or achievement. This logo and a representative statement for carbon neutrality may be used in advertising, literature, publicity, labels, and technical bulletins in printed or electronic media. 

Carbon Neutrality Reporting 

ISO 14068-1 requires making documentation available to the public.  

Annual Certification Renewal 

If following SCS’ standard, carbon neutral commitment is valid for the 24-months. Maintenance of the carbon neutral status is required on an annual basis.