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No carbon reduction strategy eliminates all emissions overnight. For the emissions that remain unavoidable while your reduction plan takes effect, certified carbon credits provide a credible, transparent mechanism to balance your footprint and demonstrate responsible action today.

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What carbon credits are

A carbon credit represents the verified removal or avoidance of one tonne of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e) from the atmosphere. Credits are generated by projects that either capture carbon — such as reforestation and soil restoration initiatives — or prevent emissions that would otherwise have occurred, such as clean cooking stove programmes or renewable energy projects in developing regions. When you retire a carbon credit, you are claiming that one tonne of emissions has been counterbalanced on your behalf. This is what allows organisations to make credible carbon neutral claims for a specific reporting period.
Carbon credits are not a substitute for reducing your emissions. They are a complement to reduction — a way to act now while your longer-term reduction strategies are implemented. The NCZ programme tracks your underlying emissions year-on-year to ensure credits are not masking a lack of progress.

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The certification standards NCZ uses

Not all carbon credits are equal. The credibility of a credit depends on the rigour of the standard under which the project was developed and verified. NCZ provides access to credits certified under the three most respected international standards: Gold Standard Developed by the WWF and a coalition of NGOs, Gold Standard projects must demonstrate not only genuine carbon reductions but also measurable co-benefits for sustainable development — such as improving health, creating local employment, or protecting biodiversity. Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) / Verra The most widely used voluntary carbon standard globally. VCS projects are independently verified and listed on a public registry, providing full traceability from issuance to retirement. UN Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) The CDM is the carbon offsetting mechanism established under the Kyoto Protocol. CDM credits (Certified Emission Reductions, or CERs) are issued by the United Nations and represent some of the most rigorously governed credits available.
All credits arranged through NCZ come from projects registered on public registries. When credits are retired on your behalf, a unique serial number is permanently recorded against your organisation, providing an auditable record.

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How NCZ provides access to credits

NCZ gives you access to credits from hundreds of registered projects worldwide. Rather than navigating the carbon markets directly, you work with the NCZ team to identify projects that align with your values and sector. The NCZ team manages the procurement, retirement, and documentation on your behalf. Projects span a wide range of types and geographies, including:
  • Rainforest protection (REDD+ projects) in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia
  • Clean water access programmes reducing the need for boiled water in sub-Saharan Africa
  • Wind, solar, and hydropower projects replacing fossil-fuel generation
  • Improved cookstove programmes reducing indoor air pollution and deforestation

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When to use carbon credits

Carbon credits are most appropriate in the following circumstances:
  • You have measurable remaining emissions after implementing all practical reduction measures for the current period
  • You are working toward a near-term carbon neutral claim for a specific year, event, or service and cannot yet reduce all emissions to zero
  • You want to make an immediate positive impact while your longer-term reduction plan is still being designed or rolled out
As your reduction strategies take effect year-on-year, the volume of credits required should decrease. The goal is to use credits as a bridge — not a permanent fix.

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Carbon credits vs carbon reduction

It is important to understand the relationship between credits and reduction clearly: NCZ reports always show your gross emissions separately from any credits applied. This transparency ensures that your stakeholders can see both your actual emissions and the steps you are taking to balance them.

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Arranging carbon credits through NCZ

Carbon credit requirements vary by organisation, sector, and certification level. The NCZ team will discuss your specific situation — including your current emissions volume, the types of projects that align with your ESG commitments, and the appropriate volume of credits to cover your reporting period.
1

Review your emissions report

Once your Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions have been captured and reported in the NCZ Portal, you will have an accurate figure for the total emissions you want to balance.
2

Speak to the NCZ team

Contact NCZ to discuss your requirements. The team will present suitable projects from the portfolio of Gold Standard, VCS, and CDM certified credits, matched to your volume and preferences.
3

Select your projects

Choose one or more projects to fund. You can spread your credits across multiple projects for added diversification and co-benefit coverage.
4

Retire the credits

NCZ retires the credits on your behalf on the relevant public registry. You receive documentation confirming the retirement, including project details, serial numbers, and the tCO₂e figure retired.
5

Update your certification record

The retired credits are recorded in your NCZ certification documentation, supporting any carbon neutral claims for the relevant period.
To discuss carbon credit options for your business or for an upcoming event, contact the NCZ team. They will help you identify the right projects and volume for your needs.

Certification overview

Understand how carbon credits fit within the wider NCZ certification programme.

Carbon conscious events

Learn how to measure and balance the emissions from a specific event.