Corporate carbon claims

Corporate carbon claims are public statements made by companies about their greenhouse gas emissions, climate performance or progress towards climate targets. They may relate to emissions reductions, carbon neutrality, net zero, the use of renewable energy, carbon offsetting, product footprints or the retirement of carbon credits. Such claims can apply to an entire organisation, a specific product, service, facility or activity. Credible corporate carbon claims should be based on transparent methodologies, clearly defined boundaries, reliable emissions data and evidence of actual reductions. Where carbon credits are used, companies should disclose their role, quality, origin and retirement status. Claims should avoid misleading language, double counting and the suggestion that purchasing credits is equivalent to reducing emissions within the company’s own operations and value chain. Increasingly, these claims are subject to voluntary standards, consumer protection rules and regulatory scrutiny.