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Understanding Carbon Credits

Types of Carbon Credits

Carbon credits are a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by investing in renewable energy projects or preserving forests.

Types of Carbon Credits

There are two types of carbon credits: compliance and voluntary.

Compliance Credits

Compliance credits are issued by governments or regulatory bodies as part of a cap-and-trade system. They are divided into two categories: primary and secondary.

Primary Credits

Primary credits are issued to companies that emit fewer greenhouse gases than their allotted limit. These credits can be traded or sold to other companies to help them meet their emissions targets.

Secondary Credits

Secondary credits, on the other hand, are generated from projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as renewable energy or waste management. These credits can also be traded or sold in the carbon market.

Voluntary Credits

Voluntary credits, on the other hand, are purchased by individuals or organizations who want to offset their carbon footprint. They do not have the same strict regulations as compliance credits.

Categories of Carbon Credits

Carbon credits are also categorized by the type of project that generates them.

Renewable Energy Credits

Renewable energy credits are generated from renewable energy projects, such as wind or solar power.

Forestry Credits

Forestry credits are generated from projects that preserve or restore forests.

Methane Credits

Methane credits are generated from projects that capture and utilize methane gas from landfills, livestock, or wastewater treatment plants.

Industrial Gas Credits

Industrial gas credits are generated from projects that destroy or capture industrial gases that contribute to global warming.

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How Carbon Credits Work

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