The newly added text in the endorsement criteria reads: “ICROA strongly encourages all carbon crediting programmes, independent and government alike, to connect to the Climate Action Data Trust and other comparable market infrastructure that ensures public access to harmonised registry information and helps enhance market transparency and integrity globally.”
ICROA Code of Best PracticePractice is the integrity bar for all operators – resellers and retailers – in the carbon market. Embedded with the Code are a green list of approved crediting programmes. The so-called “ICROA’s Carbon Crediting Endorsement Procedure” is designed to identify and endorse high-quality carbon crediting programmes through rigorous assessment.
This initiative strengthens the integrity of carbon credit transactions and supports the provision of effective greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction services. Programmes seeking endorsement are subject to a thorough third-party audit, which evaluates key areas such as independence, governance, registry practices, validation and verification, adherence to carbon crediting principles, as well as environmental and social impacts, stakeholder considerations, and scale.
The Endorsement Procedure is open to any VCM Standard or Registry that demonstrates compliance with these stringent Carbon Crediting Endorsement Criteria, fostering a comprehensive framework for high-quality carbon crediting practices. Furthermore, linking to the CAD Trust can enhance transparency and credibility, providing a robust platform for tracking carbon credits and ensuring accountability, thereby reinforcing market trust and fostering greater investment in sustainable initiatives.
Currently, 16 independent and governmental crediting programs are endorsed, three are conditionally endorsed and seven programmes are under review with ICROA.
Antoine Diemert, ICROA Pogramme Director, said: “As the voluntary carbon market evolves, it is important that we adapt our programmes too. By recommending ICROA Endorsed crediting programmes connect to the CAD Trust platform, we can improve transparency and foster trust amongst stakeholders in the market. The link can help streamline reporting, help mitigate the risk of double counting, and pave the way for a more robust and effective voluntary carbon market.”
Federico Di Credico, CAD Trust Interim CEO, said: “ICROA is a key pillar in the carbon market integrity space assuring best practices in program governance and conduct. We share a recognition of the need for greater transparency as best practice to build trust in our space and appreciate the endorsement from ICROA.”
Earlier this year, CAD Trust indicated that they will be pursuing key partnerships to increase data coverage and develop the value proposition toward greater integrity in the space, including solutions for double counting avoidance, helping operationalise Article 6, and advancing data harmonisation efforts. Read more here: CAD Trust moves towards permanent governance model through new transition phase : Climate Action Data Trust
