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Why is Double Counting a Major Problem?
- Double counting skews the actual impact of carbon reduction efforts. It gives a false impression of progress towards emission reduction targets, potentially slowing down real climate action.
- The integrity of the carbon market depends on the trust that each credit represents a unique and actual reduction in emissions. Double counting undermines this trust and can deter participation in the market.
- If unchecked, double counting can lead to an overall increase in emissions, as entities may rely on offsetting claims that don't correspond to real reductions in GHGs.
How to Avoid Double Counting
- Effective tracking systems and carbon registries like Verra, Gold Standard, Puro, and Ecoregistry ensure that each credit is only counted once. These registries assign unique serial numbers to credits and meticulously track their issuance, transfer, and retirement.
- Transparency in the reporting and verification processes is fundamental. This includes clear documentation of carbon credit ownership and retirement, which is publicly available on the registry that the project is registered on. This helps ensure that all parties can see the status and history of each credit.
- Compliance with international standards and agreements is key to avoiding double counting. Article 6 in the Paris Agreement outlines cooperative approaches, including a mechanism to contribute to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and support sustainable development, with strict accounting to avoid double counting. The International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA) also sets forth best practices in this field.
- Employing third-party verification services, such as those provided by TÜV or SGS, adds an additional layer of credibility that the project’s claims are valid and not double-counted. These verifiers assess the project's adherence to specific criteria and standards, confirming the authenticity of the carbon credits.
- Buyers of carbon offsets should be fully aware of double counting risks and undertake comprehensive due diligence. It's crucial to check that the credits they are purchasing are retired in a single registry and not claimed by another entity.