Summary
Details
- Global
The SCS Carbon Neutral certification can be obtained by any organization, product, service, or building, provided it can measure its greenhouse gas emissions using accepted methods, demonstrate emissions reductions, and fully offset remaining emissions with verified carbon credits.
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Overview
Carbon Neutral Certification by SCS Global Services is a third-party verification program that allows organizations, products, services, and buildings to demonstrate that their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been quantified, reduced, and fully offset. The certification is based either on SCS’s own SCS-108 Carbon Neutral Standard or on internationally recognized frameworks such as PAS 2060.
The certification is applicable across a wide range of use cases, including corporate entities, individual products, brands, buildings, and events. It is designed to provide independent assurance that carbon neutrality claims are credible, transparent, and based on standardized accounting and verification practices.
Applying for the Carbon Neutral Certification
The certification process follows a structured approach covering measurement, reduction, offsetting, and verification:
Determine your carbon footprint by calculating or independently verifying emissions using recognized standards (e.g., ISO 14064-1, GHG Protocol, PAS 2050), covering Scope 1, Scope 2, and all material Scope 3 sources.
Develop and implement a carbon management plan that defines emission reduction targets, timelines, and measures to reduce emissions, and ensures that any remaining footprint is neutralized through high-quality, verified carbon offsets.
Prepare and disclose carbon neutrality documentation in accordance with PAS 2060, including public reporting of emissions, reduction actions, and offset use to ensure transparency and credibility of the claim.
SCS verifies that emissions are accurately calculated, reductions are credible, and sufficient offsets have been retired to achieve neutrality.
Current Status & Outlook
The certification is based on the SCS-108 standard, first introduced in 2022 and updated in 2025. The latest version aligns with ISO 14068-1, the emerging international standard for carbon neutrality. Recent updates introduce stricter requirements, including ongoing emissions reductions, expanded Scope 3 coverage, and clearer rules for carbon credit use. The certification is also recognized under Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program, meaning certified products qualify for a sustainability label that helps consumers identify lower-impact products on the Amazon marketplace.
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