It depends on your goals and needs. However, when choosing a project, here are 6 most important things to consider:
- Impact: Look for projects that have a significant positive impact on reducing CO2 emissions and mitigating climate change;
- Additionality: Ensure that the project leads to additional CO2 reductions beyond what would have occurred without it. The impact created has to be directly traceable to the project initiated and present a significant difference between the baseline and project scenario;
- Permanence: Seek projects with long-term carbon storage or emission reduction benefits. Verify that the project’s impact is sustainable and lasts over a certain amount of time;
- Credibility of the methodology: Choose projects with transparent and credible methodologies for calculating CO2 reductions. Verify that the project follows recognized standards and undergoes rigorous third-party verification;
- No double counting: Ensure that CO2 reductions claimed by the project are not already counted towards other sustainability initiatives. The impact created is to be counted only once, and used only once to address CO2 emissions in the same amount;
- Alignment with company image and goals: Select projects that align with your company’s values, brand image, and long-term sustainability goals.