Carbon market glossary
Glossary term
Pre-issuance Credits
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
Why pre-issuance credits matters for carbon credit buyers
Pre-issuance purchases fund projects before their credits exist, often at meaningful discounts, and are frequently the only way to access sought-after removal categories with waiting lists. The buyer accepts delivery risk: issuance depends on the project performing and passing verification. Contract terms around delivery shortfalls matter as much as price.
Related terms