Carbon-Related Claims

Compensatory Claims

A compensatory claim is an absolute claim that net emissions are quantitatively equal to or less than zero.

Here residual carbon emissions are 'offset' (compensated for) with an equal or greater volume of carbon removals.

Compensatory claims under Ekos certification include:

  • Net Zero Carbon (volume of carbon offsets is equal to residual emissions).

  • Climate Positive (volume of carbon offsets is at least 120% greater than the volume of residual emissions).

Suitable carbon credits for compensatory claims are limited to carbon removals (e.g., reforestation). This is in contrast to carbon credits from projects that reduce or avoid emissions.

Ekos certification rules require disclosure that the claim is 'compensatory'. For example, Climate Positive certification also has an 'impact claim' option (see below), requiring disclosure that it is an impact claim and not a compensatory claim.

Impact Claims

An 'Impact Claim' is a non-absolute claim asserting that the certification recipient has taken responsibility for residual emissions by either:

a. Offsetting less than 100% of residual emissions, or

b. Making a positive impact contribution to a sustainable future.

Making a positive impact contribution to a sustainable future can involve the purchase and retirement of non-carbon credit types (e.g., biodiversity credits).