Carbon Glossary

The principle that carbon removal or emissions reductions would not have occurred without the incentive of carbon finance. Essential for ensuring carbon credits represent real climate benefits.

Independent risk assessment of carbon projects using satellite data and AI analysis. Provides ratings from AAA to D based on additionality, permanence, and overestimation risks.

Stable carbon created through pyrolysis of organic materials. Provides long-term carbon storage while improving soil fertility and agricultural productivity.

Reserve of carbon credits set aside to cover potential reversals or overestimation in carbon projects. Provides insurance against project risks and uncertainties.

Database system that tracks the ownership and transfer of carbon credits to prevent double counting. Examples include Verra, Gold Standard, and American Carbon Registry.

Additional environmental and social benefits beyond carbon removal, such as biodiversity conservation, water quality improvement, or local economic development.

Technology that uses specialized machines to capture CO2 directly from ambient air. Often combined with permanent geological storage for high-permanence carbon removal.

Process that accelerates natural rock weathering to capture CO2 from the atmosphere. Creates permanent carbon storage through mineral carbonation reactions.

When carbon removal activities in one area lead to increased emissions elsewhere. Must be accounted for in project design and carbon accounting methodologies.

System for measuring, reporting, and independently verifying carbon removal or emissions reductions. Critical for ensuring project integrity and transparency.

The duration that removed CO2 remains stored and unavailable to return to the atmosphere. Ranges from decades to millennia depending on the storage method and technology used.

Forward or pre-purchase agreements for credits that have been (a) verified but not yet issued, or (b) expected in the future based on projected project performance. Delivery and retirement happens later, once the registry issues the credits

The project has been designed and documented but has not yet been validated by a third-party auditor

The project's design has already been validated. The project is operational, and is now preparing for the verification audit

A third-party auditor has confirmed the reported emission reductions/removals for a specific monitoring period

Carbon credits that have already been issued and are sitting in a registry account, ready for transfer immediately

The year when carbon removal or emissions reduction occurred. Important for pricing and compliance as more recent vintages often have higher value and acceptance.