New Carbon Offset Rules Aim to Clean Up Company Climate Claims

Companies that buy carbon offsets from the voluntary market to counterbalance their greenhouse gas emissions now have guidelines to inform what they can and can’t claim about purchased credits. The rules, published Wednesday by the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI), aim to tighten climate claims companies make, in the face of sham claims, abuse and illusory credits.

The group published guidelines for purchasers of credits after two years of development. To comply, companies must publish annual emissions, adopt targets dictated by science and — significantly — show that their lobbying and advocacy work are consistent with the ...