Yes. Carbon credits can most certainly be effective to reduce the impact of climate change when the project behind them follows a strict carbon standard and apply quality control to ensure permanence.
What are some of the most common quality traits of an effective carbon credit? It comes down to three factors:
Carbon Standard - The verification method used. They are in place to determine how many carbon credits the project are entitled to; as in their total emission reduction or avoidance. They may also help ensure permanence, meaning that the emission reduction stays permanent.
Additional Benefits - How the project impacts the surrounding communities. Common benefits include but are not limited to: job creation, food harvesting and cleaner water.
Vintage - What year the credit was issued in. If the credit is older; it may have less credibility, as it might be following outdated standards, or lack the proper monitoring tools for transparency.
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