Retirement
Permanently cancelling a carbon credit in a registry so that it cannot be sold or used again. Retirement is the step that allows the holder to make a claim against their emissions.
Why retirement matters for carbon credit buyers
A credit only supports a claim once it is retired: holding it in an account is an asset position, not a climate action. Retirement records are public on most registries and show the beneficiary, the vintage, and the serial numbers, which means anyone can independently check a company stated claim. Buyers should agree in advance who performs the retirement and in whose name it is recorded, then keep the retirement certificate for reporting and assurance. Credits retired on a client behalf without naming the beneficiary are a recurring source of confusion during audits.