CarbonNeutral Certification (Climate Impact Partners)

CarbonNeutral Certification is one of the world's oldest climate-neutrality labels, developed in 1997 by British consultancy The CarbonNeutral Company (now Climate Impact Partners after merger with Natural Capital Partners). It is based on the annually updated CarbonNeutral Protocol, which defines the accounting and offset framework precisely and is compliant with British PAS 2060 and the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard.

Companies, products, services, events, flights and buildings can be certified. The process comprises: (1) calculating the CO2 balance including Scope 1-3 per GHG Protocol, (2) reduction target with documented progress (science-based targets recommended), (3) offsetting residual emissions via Verra VCS, Gold Standard or equivalent premium credits. Offset projects cover forest protection, renewables, clean cookstoves, biogas and CO2 utilisation.

Well-known users in the textile arena: Sky (TV), Microsoft, Sony Music, Marks & Spencer, TfL (London), Aviva. In apparel the CarbonNeutral label is used by wine brands and cotton bag producers for promotional items. Note: since 2024 Climate Impact Partners has tightened communication rules ('carbon neutral' vs 'carbon compensated') to anticipate EU Green Claims Directive requirements. Certification is annual, costs range from 5,000 to 50,000 euros per year depending on scope.