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SEI senior scientist Derik Broekhoff informed this publication from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations discussing the mitigation of reversal risks in carbon crediting programmes.
Carbon crediting programmes are a method to incentivize reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. These programmes issue tradable credits equivalent to each tonne of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere. However, not every carbon reduction method is equal, and certain methods may rerelease carbon into the atmosphere much faster than others due to natural and human disturbances. This is known as non-permanence, or reversal risk. If non-permanence is left unaccounted for, carbon crediting programmes may not accurately reflect reduced emissions, contributing to greenwashing and lessening the impact of these programmes.
This UN publication recommends three ways to design carbon crediting programmes to avoid reversal risks:
Additionally, the UN also recommends host countries of carbon crediting programmes to carefully assess emissions in their regions. This will ensure contributions to the Paris Agreement are properly captured.
Other publication / SEI experts informed the 2025 version of the Carbon Offset Guide, a resource to learn about carbon credits and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
Feature / Derik Broekhoff lays out the elements of a more equitable and ambitious corporate net-zero framework on TED Countdown.
SEI report / The authors propose ways to transform voluntary net zero commitments into ground rules for the economy overall.
