In spring 2024, the SBTi board announced that the company's indirect emissions from its supply chain could be partially offset against carbon credits to reach net zero targets. As a result, the organization's employees protested and demanded the resignation of the CEO, which happened. Not only employees, but also scientists and several NGOs expressed concerns that companies would not do all they could to eliminate emissions, but would instead just buy carbon credits, if allowed.

ZeroMission , on the other hand, sees certified high-quality carbon credits as an important part of the solution for companies, especially for the challenges of managing emissions in the supply chain. Reducing all their emissions directly is difficult, perhaps especially in many industries, and companies cannot influence how their products are used by customers. In addition, in the current difficult climate situation, all types of climate action are necessary, including the purchase of carbon credits.

We believe that the argument that carbon credits allow companies to forego reductions in their own emissions is incorrect. It is not consistent with our experience of working with many ambitious companies that are doing what they can to reduce their emissions. Moreover, a number of reports* show that companies using voluntary carbon credits actually show greater reductions in their emissions than those companies in the same industry that do not buy credits.

Loru Forest Conservation project, certified by Plan Vivo. Photo cred: Marian Reid, Nakau

SBTi has promised to clarify its position on what type of negative emissions the standard will require. This was due last year but has been postponed until this year. We are following developments closely. The initiative also invites stakeholders to comment on a number of topics, and ZeroMission has signed up to present our views.

Our main message is that companies must have access to carbon credits in their climate work - removing this possibility would have consequences for global climate work.

*Report:

• Carbon Credits: Permission to Pollute, or Pivotal for Progress?
• Bringing Nuance Back to the Carbon offsetting Debate - Evidence of a transition, calls for a transaformation
• All in on Climate: The Role of Carbon Credits in Corporate Climate Strategies