Introduction
The CarbonNeutral Protocol Purpose Principles Structure of The CarbonNeutral Protocol Development of The CarbonNeutral Protocol Relationship to other initiatives Acknowledgements Definition and scope Use Disclaimer Trademark and copyright About Climate Impact Partners Awards
Core Requirements
Application of a grace period Allowances for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
Foundation: Governance Step 1: Define Step 2: Measure Step 3: Target Step 4: Reduce Step 5: Inform
Technical Specifications and Guidance
Step 1: Define
1.1 Required GHG Emissions Sources 1.2 Certification specific requirements 1.3 Corporate value chain (Scope 3) accounting and reporting 1.4 Product-type certifications 1.5 Treatment of assets rented or leased to customers of CarbonNeutral® entities
Step 2: Measure
2.1 GHG emission quantification requirements for the defined subject 2.2 GHG Emissions Assessments 2.3 Requirements for measurement of the organizational carbon footprint 2.4 Quality assurance and verification 2.5 Energy use (gas and electricity) 2.6 Aviation 2.7 How to report GHG emissions from carbon neutral services within a corporate GHG inventory 2.8 Using environmental product declarations (EPDs) for CarbonNeutral® products
Step 3: Target
3.1 Requirements for emissions reduction targets 3.2 Near-term targets 3.3 Long-term targets 3.4 Net zero targets
Step 4: Reduce
4.1 Internal abatement requirements 4.2 External compensation requirements 4.3 Recognized non-carbon accounting standards 4.4 Evaluating internal GHG reduction projects 4.5 Elaboration on additionality and baselines 4.6 The use of carbon credits generated by projects which avoid, reduce and remove GHGs 4.7 Insetting 4.8 Corresponding Adjustments (CAs)
Step 5: Inform
5.1 Required disclosures 5.2 Use of the CarbonNeutral® Certification logo 5.3 Regulations around environmental claims 5.4 Communicating CarbonNeutral® certification 5.5 Communicating 100% Renewable Electricity
Glossary of Terms
Reference Material
Attestation forms Cross-compliance Tables
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The CarbonNeutral Protocol Index

3.3 Setting internal reduction targets

Whilst not mandated, organizations are encouraged to:

  • Set a long-term science-aligned target in line with the latest climate science to achieve global or sector net zero on a 1.5°C pathway before 2050
  • Commit to achieving Net Zero by 2050, which requires achievement of long-term targets and balancing residual emissions with removal of CO2e from the atmosphere.

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