The top 30 quality providers came from a range of organisation types across the globe but were united in their ability to meet the following criteria:
- The quality of the offset: all investments should be traceable to specifically named offset projects.
- Timing of delivery: carbon credits should have already been generated or be guaranteed to be delivered in the short-term.
- Emissions calculation: emissions savings are calculated and verified by official standards, for example ISO 14064 or from official DEFRA figures.
- Transparency: quality providers were judged to be transparent with regards to the credit source, quality of the offset, the timeline of its projects and pricing.
- Engagement and advice: the ENDS Guide also recognised the importance of broader climate change strategies and praised those carbon offset providers that also offer advice and management processes to reduce clients’.
- Other considerations included the breadth of projects in the organisation’s portfolio, levels of engagement with the projects and overall experience.
The respected environmental publisher created its guide to carbon offsets to provide readers an understanding of the offsetting process and how to identify providers that are committed to offering a quality service and operating responsibly.
Commenting on Carbon Clear’s inclusion, Mark Chadwick, CEO of Carbon Clear said: “I'm delighted that the ENDS Report has recognised Carbon Clear's commitment to high quality projects and advisory services. From the outset we have focused on delivering the highest standards and we're immensely gratified to see this hard work has been acknowledged by an industry leader such as the ENDS Report.”
