Can Your Carbon Project Work?
Check whether your project is in line with the CCP’s
A set of 10 global principles was created by the ICVCM (Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market). These are basic rules that help check whether the carbon credits from your project are truly doing good: helping to fight climate change and being trustworthy. It’s their way of making sure you don’t just say that you’re helping the planet, but you’re actually doing it in a real and honest way.
You can think of the CCPs as a checklist for your carbon project. If it doesn't align with these principles, it is very unlikely that your project will become certified. These principles are not just a tool.
They can already tell you a lot about the future of your project, without getting started. What are the things that need to be adjusted or need to be installed or organised? So your good idea can turn into a certified carbon project.
The CCPs are build to install trust
That is what is the most important in today's market. Buyers need to know that the carbon credits they acquire are real – and have a measurable, lasting impact.
The credibility of the CCPs can't be underestimated. If your project follows the CCPs, your chances of certification can increase. They give you a credibility check and make sure your project is actually impactful.
The 10 Core Carbon Principles: with real examples
Now you know what and why – let’s break them down.
1. Effective Governance
A well-managed program with clear rules and oversight is crucial to start your carbon project. Taking on a carbon project is a big operation, so it needs to be managed like one.
Good: A forestry project with a real organisational structure and dedicated departments.
Not enough: A local initiative with no formal roles or departments. Tasks are assigned without a job description.
2. Tracking
The credits generated by your project need to be issued in a registry. In this way, double-counting is prevented.
Good: Credits visible in a public registry.
Not enough: Selling carbon savings via informal pledges or unverifiable reports.
3. Transparency
Carbon projects are not a hush hush business. All the details of your project – methodology, location, impact – needs to be available.
Good: A mangrove restoration project publishing its methods, maps, and monitoring data online.
Not enough: A closed-door corporate offset initiative with no public reporting.
4. Robust Third-Party Validation and Verification
To have an extra check, there needs to be a certified third party involved. This party as no bias, and can evaluate without a prejudice.
Good: A verified biogas project audited by an accredited verifier.
Not enough: Self-reported impact figures without independent checks.
5. Additionality
The outcome of your project needs to remove emissions effectively. These emissions would not have been reduced otherwise.
Good: Planting new bamboo forests to capture CO₂ on land that would otherwise stay degraded land.
Not enough: Installing efficient lighting in a building that was already planning to do so.
6. Permanence
Your project is for the long run. The climate benefit should last for a long time. Or should have a buffer to account for reversals.
Good: A reforestation project with 100-year monitoring and insurance buffer.
Not enough: Planting trees with no protection against future logging.
7. Robust Quantification of Emission Removals and Reduction
Emissions are measured and verified with standardized methods and reliable data to guarantee accurate, consistent results.
Good: Impact measured by using approved methodologies and verified data.
Not enough: Estimates based on guesses or unverified tools.
8. No Double Counting
The carbon reductions your project generates can only be claimed once, by one party.
Good: A project that’s not part of any government target or counted elsewhere.
Not enough: A project included in a national emissions reduction plan and sold again to a company.
9. Sustainable Development Benefits and Safeguards
Carbon reduction is not the only thing that needs to be taken in consideration. Projects must also account for the protection of people and the biodiversity.
Good: A peatland project co-designed with local communities and protecting wildlife.
Not enough: A large-scale monoculture plantation with community displacement.
10. Contribution to Net Zero
Carbon credits add to real decarbonization. It must support this goal.
Good: Companies using credits alongside clear internal emissions reduction targets.
Not enough: Businesses relying only on offsets to meet climate claims.
So... Can your project Work?
Did you get 10 check marks? Well done, you are well on your way to get your carbon certification.
If there still are some elements that need to change – understanding the Core Carbon Principles can help you on your way to take action.
How C-nery helps
At C-nery, we simplify the path from idea to carbon project.
We help you understand how your project stacks up against the CCPs, guide you through selecting the right methodology, and help you build a feasibility case that works. No need to go through PDFs and spreadsheets.
We break it down, step by step—so you can focus on building real impact.
If your project complies to the CCPs, we can help you with the next steps – by eliminating time-consuming research and difficult data gathering.
Join our upcoming webinar to learn more about how to build credible carbon projects from the ground up.