The Climate Impact Partners^® Protocol

A framework for Financing Climate Projects

The Climate Impact Partners^® Protocol is developed and managed by Climate Impact Partners based on over 20 years of climate-related certification experience.

The Protocol has been developed as a set of requirements for organizations to achieve Climate Impact Partners^® certification. Our certification, based on new consumer research, allows you to claim your company, product or service is “Financing Climate Projects” with a QR code for greater transparency and credibility of the action underpinning the claim. As third-party standards evolve, The Climate Impact Partners Protocol aims to provide a framework which builds upon the best technical guidance in the market.

This certification and the label "Financing Climate Projects" are backed by consumer research that found climate claims can help drive sales: 

• 48% would be more likely to choose a product or service with this logo on the products or packaging.
• Of those who already said they were more likely to purchase a product/service with the claim, 81% agreed they would still be more likely to purchase - even if it was a little more expensive than an alternative that didn’t.

That said, claims must be transparent.

• Vague language and lack of explanation are the top two reasons consumers are skeptical about claims.
• When surveyed, 79% of consumers, upon seeing a climate claim, would want a way to access more information about the claim.
  
• Therefore, the addition of QR codes helps anyone seeing the certification to easily access more information about the program and projects supported.

The Climate Impact Partners Protocol is designed to support organizations to make meaningful contribution to climate action today, as they work towards net zero goals. Through financing carbon mitigation projects outside of their value chains and retiring high-quality carbon credits, organizations contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change and to the transition towards societal net zero. The retirement of high-quality carbon credits as part of Climate Impact Partners certification represents a contribution to global climate action, and does not represent compensation, neutralization or offsetting of the emissions of the subject.

The Climate Impact Partners Protocol is designed for:

• Businesses and organizations – To understand the technical requirements to achieve Climate Impact Partners^® certification, and a guide of best practice for aspects of a climate program
• Technical partners – To ensure Climate Impact Partners’ technical partners and partners of organizations seeking certification (e.g. GHG assessors) understand what is required of them so that their services are consistent with the requirements of each Climate Impact Partners^® certification
• The wider “Climate Action Community” – To encourage partnerships amongst business, NGOs, policymakers, regulators, and civil society to promote high standards for carbon accounting, target setting and the financing of mitigation projects

The Six Steps to Achieving Climate Impact Partners^® Certification

Companies can achieve Climate Impact Partners® certification by following the six steps below. More information can be found on page 14 of the complete Protocol document.

Step 1: Define

Give a clear description of the subject.

Step 2: Measure

Provide a complete and accurate account of the GHG emissions of the subject.

Step 3: Target

Set credible targets to reduce the measured emissions of the subject and broader organization.

Step 4: Reduce

Report reduction measures taken to progress towards targets.

Step 5: Finance

Finance carbon mitigation projects outside of the value chain through purchase of carbon credits, to contribute to climate action.

Step 6: Inform

Disclose accurate and transparent information about your climate program.

^{Disclaimer: The information on this webpage, the contents of the CarbonNeutral Protocol and Climate Impact Partners Protocol, and any other guidance or opinion that we share about certification, aims at providing technical information on the requirements of our certification programs. In no event shall this information be considered as a legal opinion, and in no event shall we be liable for any claims, commitments, or statements that you or any third party makes in connection with our certifications. We make no guarantee that by using our certifications, you will be in compliance with any laws, rules or regulations, including the ECGT Directive and those relating to mandatory or voluntary GHG emission reductions programs, climate commitments, carbon neutrality or any other environmental, social and governance commitment of any kind.}

<sup>Climate Impact Partners Certification will strive to remain up to date and aligned with relevant legislation around green claims, including the upcoming EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive and Green Claims Directive. With understanding that not all legislation around green claims is finalised, Climate Impact Partners will closely monitor changes as they come into effect with the intention of maintaining compliance.

Considering the uncertainty of future legislation, there is a possibility Climate Impact Partners Certification may fall outside the scope of approved green claims. Should this be the case, the team at Climate Impact Partners will work with you for a suitable alternative.</sup>