CarbonNeutral® Certification
TransparencyA clear framework for carbon neutrality
CarbonNeutral® Certification can be awarded to companies that have met the technical requirements of The Carbon Neutral Protocol. It gives businesses a rigorous, transparent framework for measuring emissions, reducing them and compensating for the emissions that remain through high-quality carbon credits.
First established in 2002, The Carbon Neutral Protocol has helped organizations around the world take credible carbon neutral action for more than two decades. It is reviewed annually to reflect developments in climate science, policy, standards and business practice, giving certified companies a clear framework for action and communication.
More than a claim
CarbonNeutral® Certification is designed to demonstrate a complete climate program - not simply the purchase of carbon credits. Certified organizations measure emissions, set reduction targets, take action to reduce them and compensate for the emissions that remain. The publicly available Protocol provides a transparent reference point for the requirements behind the certification.
Certification can help you:
Establish a robust emissions baseline
Set and progress reduction targets
Take responsibility for unabated emissions
Finance high-quality climate projects
Put an internal focus on the cost of carbon
Communicate your climate action clearly
Demonstrate that your approach follows a transparent framework
What sits behind the certification?
CarbonNeutral® Certification can apply to a whole organization, product, service or specific business activity. The CarbonNeutral® Protocol defines the emissions that need to be included for each certification type and the requirements companies must meet to achieve and maintain certification.
Take credible action
Communicate carbon neutral action through an established certification.
Follow a robust framework
Meet clear requirements covering measurement, reduction and carbon credits.
Keep reducing
Set science-aligned reduction targets and continue taking action over time.
Take responsibility for remaining emissions
Compensate for emissions that have not yet been reduced.
Independent assessment
Base your certification on a robust, independently assessed carbon footprint.
Communicate transparently
Follow clear requirements for how certification and climate action are communicated.
A claim people recognize
CarbonNeutral® remains one of the most familiar and best understood climate claims among consumers.
Our research found that more than one in four consumers had seen or heard the term in the previous 12 months. It was the most correctly understood claim we tested, and ranked second for both appeal and credibility.¹
Where the claim can be used appropriately, that recognition and understanding can help businesses communicate climate action more clearly.
¹ Source: Opinion Matters, commissioned by Climate Impact Partners, 2026.
Five steps to certification
The CarbonNeutral® Protocol sets out five steps to achieving certification, connecting robust emissions measurement with reduction, high-quality carbon credits and transparent communication.
The framework behind the certification
First published in 2002, The Carbon Neutral Protocol is updated every year to reflect developments in climate science, international policy, standards and business practice. Its development is informed by an independent Advisory Board, helping ensure the Protocol remains rigorous, relevant and practical for businesses.
Clear, credible and transparent framework
Revised and updated annually
Choose the right scope
CarbonNeutral® Certification is flexible enough to support different parts of your business. The scope and emissions requirements vary according to what is being certified.
Organization
Certify your whole organization or another defined entity.
Product
Certify the lifecycle emissions of a product or product range.
Service
Certify the emissions associated with delivering a service.
Business activity
Certify specific activities such as business travel, events or other defined operations.
Is this the right certification for your business?
Rules governing environmental claims are evolving, and carbon neutral claims are not appropriate or permitted in every market or for every use.
Different claims suit different climate strategies and markets. We can help you understand the implications for your certification and communications and, where appropriate, consider alternative approaches such as Financing Climate Projects Certification.
Outcomes that matter…
The path to a better future is built one success story at a time. See what we can achieve together.
Climate Impact Partners understood the realities of being an SME and helped us turn our intent into something practical, proportionate and credible. And we’re not pretending the job is finished. Travel remains one of our hardest challenges and something we have to keep working at. Supporting high-quality carbon projects is part of our approach, but so is changing how we actually operate.
Most of our environmental impact sits in our supply chain, which is why reduction comes first for us and why we are strengthening how we measure it. For the emissions that remain, we want the projects we support to be rigorously assessed and genuinely connected to the communities and ecosystems our ingredients come from. Climate Impact Partners' due diligence and their understanding of our business have made that possible, and they have kept us moving as UK and EU claims rules evolve.
FAQs
Can’t find the answer?
- What does CarbonNeutral® Certification mean?
CarbonNeutral® Certification means that an organization, product, service or activity has met the requirements of The CarbonNeutral® Protocol. This includes defining and measuring the relevant emissions, setting reduction targets, taking action to reduce emissions and compensating for the remaining footprint in line with the Protocol.
- What can be CarbonNeutral® certified?
Certification can apply to organizations and other entities, products, services and defined activities. The CarbonNeutral® Protocol sets out the emissions boundary and requirements for each certification type.
- Do we still need to reduce our emissions?
Yes. Reduction is a core part of CarbonNeutral® Certification. Companies set reduction targets and take action to reduce emissions over time, while carbon credits are used to compensate for emissions that remain within the certification boundary.
- Is the carbon footprint independently assessed?
Yes. A Protocol-compliant greenhouse gas assessment is the foundation of certification and must be undertaken or reviewed by a qualified independent third party.
- What carbon credits can be used?
Credits used toward CarbonNeutral® Certification must meet the eligibility and quality requirements set out in The CarbonNeutral Protocol. These requirements are based on independent industry standards.
- Can CarbonNeutral® claims be used everywhere?
No. Regulation of environmental claims varies by market and is changing. We can help you understand what is appropriate for your business and where an alternative certification may be better suited.
- How long does certification last?
Certification is usually valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Renewal confirms that the requirements of The CarbonNeutral Protocol continue to be met and keeps the certification and associated claims current. A small number of certifications are related to a particular activity, such as an event.
- How do we communicate the certification?
Certified companies can use the CarbonNeutral® certification logo and associated claims in line with the communications requirements of The CarbonNeutral Protocol. Our team supports you in reviewing certification-related communications for accuracy, consistency and alignment with the Protocol.
- Can I access previous versions of The Carbon Neutral Protocol?
Yes. Previous editions of The Carbon Neutral Protocol are available for reference, helping certified companies and stakeholders understand how the requirements have evolved over time.
