Guide to good practices for voluntary carbon markets : Supporting voluntary mitigation action with carbon credits

Abstract

Organisations use carbon credits bought from voluntary carbon markets to make climate claims related to their organisations, products and services. However, there has been much uncertainty around the production of these credits and the claims related to those credits. Good practices dictate that credible offsetting and contribution claims should be based on mitigation outcomes that fulfil internationally established minimum criteria. According to the law on environmental claims, claims should be clear, unambiguous, truthful, and verifiable. Otherwise, the claim can be considered misleading or so-called "greenwashing".

This guide aims to synthesize and clarify international good practices for the Finnish context to improve the trustworthiness of Finnish carbon markets and to promote clarity and trust in the quality of climate claims and the production of the credits on which those claims are based.

The guide covers good practices for producers of carbon credits, those using carbon credits, and for consumers. Supporting background is presented on the current state of climate claims in Finland and current regulation on voluntary mitigation action and climate claims. In addition, the report gives recommendations for developing and supervising claims. The good practices and international guidance presented here are current as of the time of writing. International and national good practices, guidance, and regulation are developing continuously and rapidly.