What Is Carbon Neutral Certification?

The Carbon Neutral (Net Zero Carbon) framework offers three different certification routes for products, organisations, and services, so that every area tied to the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions and the reduction of the carbon footprint can be covered and the differences between them can be shown.

Carbon Neutral Organisation covers the identification of greenhouse gas emission sources, the calculation of those emissions, the definition of the reduction strategies required, the internal (reduction measures) and external (purchase of carbon credits) actions carried out under those strategies, and the public communication of the work through the Carbon Neutral Certification, across customers with different legal structures.

Carbon Neutral Product covers the calculation, reporting, reduction, and certification of the carbon emissions identified across a product's life cycle, so that customers of the product can be informed. The Carbon Neutral Product certification programme aims to inform consumers about the negative climate impact that comes from the manufacture and delivery of the products they buy, as well as from their use.

Carbon Neutral Service covers the calculation, reporting, reduction, and certification of the carbon emissions tied to the activities of service-sector organisations, or to specific micro-level operations those organisations run, so that customers can be informed. Carbon Neutral Service addresses greenhouse gas emissions that arise from standalone activity in particular.

The certification also covers activities such as corporate vehicle fleets, events or exhibitions, and travel undertaken by the organisation over a defined period. The aim is to calculate the resulting emissions, deliver the required reductions, and bring the balance to net zero. The certification programme informs stakeholders about the work carried out under the net zero carbon framework and raises awareness around the topic.