FAQs

Question 1

Where is Earthly based?

Accepted Answer

Earthly is a fully remote company, which allows us to minimise our overhead costs and provide the maximum value to our customers.

We are registered in London, UK but like our projects, our team members are based around the world, including in Germany, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Rwanda, Spain, UK and USA.

Visit [About Us](/about-us) to learn more about our amazing team.

Question 2

Is Earthly a registered charity?

Accepted Answer

We are not a charity. We are a limited company and a registered social enterprise.

We are also proud to be in the top 5% scoring B corps around the world which means we have exceptionally high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Question 3

How much of my money goes to the projects?

Accepted Answer

80%. The remaining 20% covers costs related: 
- transactions and FX
- the in-depth assessment of all projects to ensure high impact
- engagement & enablement tools

To minimise overhead costs and our carbon footprint, Earthly is a fully remote team.

Question 4

What is the difference between a project and an Earthly bundle?

Accepted Answer

We created the [bundle](/earthly-bundle) to allow you to support multiple projects at once and spread your positive impact around the world. However, you can create a DIY bundle by selecting any mix of projects that align with your goals and values. Your support for the different projects can be weighted differently and doesn't necessarily need to be an even division of funds.

Question 5

How is Earthly sure these projects are working as they should?

Accepted Answer

This is very important to us. We have developed our own project assessment criteria - [Keystone 3.0](/project-assessment-keystone-3) - which enables you to compare verified and unverified projects that follow different standards and bodies (i.e. Verra, Plan Vivo, Gold Standard). Earthly's transparent scoring system analyses issues such as risk, additionality and permanence of project solutions - in areas beyond just carbon. We look at projects' past, present and future effects on local communities, biodiversity and ecosystems. Once we are satisfied a project is high-quality, it is added to our marketplace. We constantly monitor and review projects to check they are maintaining our highs standard and will make recommendations - or even remove them - if we observe any compromises. Less than 9% of projects meet our high standards, so you know you are investing in the best.

Question 6

What can I use the marketplace for?

Accepted Answer

Earthly’s [marketplace](/products/buy-now) offers the flexibility to invest as little or as much in [nature-based solutions](/nature-based-projects/) as often as you’d like. You can make single or recurring purchases to support your sustainability efforts, carbon removal plans, marketing campaigns, reward programs, etc.

Question 7

Can I support more than one project?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, we've created the [Earthly bundle](/earthly-bundle) to make this easier or you can work with our team to build a bespoke portfolio that aligns with your brand's values.

Question 8

How can we make a monthly contribution to projects?

Accepted Answer

Recurring monthly investments can be set up on the marketplace in GBP or [U.S. Dollars](https://earthly.org/en-us/products/buy-now). For all other currencies, please [contact our team](/contacts) to discuss the project(s) you'd like to support and we will be able to set up a recurring investment on your behalf. The frequency and budget is completely up to you.

Question 9

What happens after I complete a purchase?

Accepted Answer

Once you complete a purchase on the Earthly marketplace, you will receive an email inviting you to set a password and create an account. With your account, you will have access to your impact dashboard, the customer hub and project materials.

Question 10

What support does Earthly provide after we've made a purchase?

Accepted Answer

Once you have partnered with Earthly, we will continue to support you on your sustainability journey. All Earthly customers will gain access to a personal dashboard to track their investment in nature. You will also have access to our customer hub - full of guidelines and resources which will help your team create powerful and effective communications around your climate action. You will join a community the receives regular updates from our projects and top tips from other customers leading the way in sustainability. We are happy to help support with marketing materials and advice, and have an ever-growing library of [resources](/resources) on our site including webinars, event recordings, blog articles, eBooks and reports.

Question 11

How should I share our partnership with Earthly?

Accepted Answer

The Earthly customer hub will be your bible for creating a communication strategy around our partnership that engages customers, stakeholders and employees - and impresses your competitors! We will offer guidance, templates and practical advice on how to avoid greenwashing and use the appropriate terminology.

Question 12

I can't find a project on your site that fits exactly what I'm looking for

Accepted Answer

We work continuously on [assessing](/project-assessment) new projects - so we may have something in the pipeline to suit your needs. Use the filters on our [projects page](https://earthly.org/projects) to search our projects in detail and/or [get in touch with our team,](/contacts) outlining the type of project, co-benefits and scale that you are looking for.

Question 13

How do I know which project is best?

Accepted Answer

All Earthly projects pass our rigorous assessment and have a high impact across climate, biodiversity and community support. The marketplace filters allow you to select your preferred option - like ecosystem, geography, etc.

Question 14

What does the Earthly API integration include?

Accepted Answer

The full end to end Earthly integration includes: 
- Setting up multiple investment triggers (creating an account, referring a friend, purchasing a product, paying an invoice… your imagination is the limit!)
- Offering your customers a choice of projects they would like to support
- Creating users so that your customers can see their individual impact over time
- Embedding the outcomes your business and community have achieved by working with Earthly e.g. amount of Carbon removed from the atmosphere

Question 15

How long does it take to integrate?

Accepted Answer

The full integration can be completed within 2 weeks. We understand the desire to keep integration efforts to a minimum. Earthly’s API is designed with developers in mind, with clear and clean endpoints and accompanying in-depth documentation.

**Some of our customers opt to integrate with a subsection of the API first, which can be done in just a few hours**. For example, you can bake investments in nature into a workflow by integrating with the POST assets endpoint. You won’t have to change anything on the UI and all the impact data will be clearly visible on your Earthly dashboard.

Once you and your tech team have gotten confident with the API and it’s value, a full end to end integration can be done as described in the FAQ above. We’ll provide access to a testing environment to try everything out for yourself before deciding on the level of integration that makes the most sense for your company.

Question 16

Can we integrate manually and achieve mostly the same thing without dev effort?

Accepted Answer

The Earthly API has more advantages than doing it manually. To name a few:

- Immediately visualise impact in your own ecosystem
- Show your customers increasing rewards each time they engage with you. Our customer [Caixa Bank](/new-partners-with-imaginbank) has increased engagement by 25% by implementing the API
- Easy to offer a wide-range of projects that support your users’ goals and values within your own ecosystem. With the Earthly API you can easily integrate and increase your users sense of agency and loyalty to your business

Question 17

Is the Earthly API secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is. The Earthly API has authenticated endpoints, you will receive an API key that is unique to your business.

Moreover, the API receives no business sensitive information. It is agnostic to what triggers the investment in nature, all it knows is that you are asking it to plant a tree, protect some rainforest or regenerate a coastline!

Question 18

Showing our users their impact sounds cool but what about GDPR?

Accepted Answer

The Earthly API is GDPR compliant by default. Creating users is entirely optional. However, it can be really powerful to show your user what they have done for nature, especially if they can grow their impact by continuing to engage with you. If you choose to create users they are fully tokenised. This means Earthly will have no PII at all - they’re just a hash of random letters and numbers in our database!

Question 19

How do I get access to my impact profile?

Accepted Answer

Once you create your account with Earthly you will receive an email that allows you to view your public impact profile. The impact displayed here will grow the more you invest in nature, enabling you to share and track the impact you have made with your stakeholders and end users.

Question 20

Can I ask my end customers to pay?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can allow your customers to choose whether or not to pay to invest in nature. Earthly won’t process or access your users payment information. So all you have to do is charge your users via your existing payment process and then pay us as a part of your standard monthly invoice.  Some of our customers will pay for investments in nature at checkout themselves as part of a rewards scheme, and others will do a combination of both. A few customers are even exploring creating an entirely white label marketplace of projects.

Question 21

What is the main difference between VBCs and Carbon Credits?

Accepted Answer

While both Voluntary Biodiversity Credits (VBCs) and carbon credits contribute to environmental goals, they address different challenges and represent different outcomes.

**Carbon credits** represent a verified tonne of carbon either avoided or removed from the atmosphere. These credits are most commonly used by businesses to compensate for their emissions, with the unit of sale being a tonne of CO₂e. At Earthly, we go further; we only support carbon credits that also deliver measurable benefits for biodiversity and local communities.

**Biodiversity credits**, by contrast, represent a verified or quantified improvement in nature, such as the recovery of a key species, improved habitat condition, or enhanced ecosystem function. Interventions that are essential to improve soil structures, for adaptation to climate change, and to contribute to the prevention of natural disasters like flooding and droughts. Earthly also seeks to support projects that demonstrate a positive carbon and social impact. At Earthly, we assess these outcomes through a rigorous methodology and support the sale of biodiversity credits to companies looking to invest directly in nature restoration.

Question 22

Who can purchase VBCs?

Accepted Answer

Any business, non-governmental organisation (NGO), or individual can purchase Voluntary Biodiversity Credits (VBCs) to contribute to nature restoration and support conservation efforts.

Question 23

How many VBCs does my business need?

Accepted Answer

There isn't a fixed formula or ratio for the number of VBCs a business needs; it depends on your specific biodiversity goals and the scale of the impact you wish to achieve. The best way to determine your needs is to[ reach out to the Earthly team](/contact-earthly) to explore options that suit your company's budget, goals and scale.

Question 24

How do VBCs fit into net zero?

Accepted Answer

VBCs do not contribute to net zero targets in the traditional sense, they don’t directly compensate for emissions through measurable carbon removals or reductions. Net zero is primarily focused on cutting greenhouse gas emissions and balancing any remaining emissions with carbon offsets.

However, VBCs play a complementary role by funding nature-based solutions that enhance ecosystem resilience - a key pillar of climate adaptation. By supporting the restoration of habitats, species recovery, and ecological functions, VBCs help ecosystems withstand climate-related shocks such as floods, droughts, wildfires, and temperature extremes.

VBCs also address a major limitation of the net zero framework: its narrow focus on carbon. Many high-value conservation efforts like coral reef restoration, the removal of invasive species, or rewilding with keystone species do not result in significant carbon sequestration, and are often overlooked by carbon markets. By channeling investment into these kinds of interventions, VBCs ensure that biodiversity is not left behind in the race to address the climate crisis.

Question 25

How can my business measure its biodiversity impact?

Accepted Answer

Unlike carbon emissions, there isn't a universally standardised method for businesses to directly quantify their comprehensive biodiversity footprint. However, setting biodiversity goals aligned with global targets like COP16 and your organisation's values can drive meaningful impact.

For businesses looking to understand their broader nature impact or dependencies, frameworks like the Science Based Targets for Nature (SBTN) or the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), which includes its LEAP approach, are emerging tools that can help. However, VBCs are designed to fund and support restoration initiatives that generate measurable biodiversity gains, rather than directly offsetting a company's operational impact.

When your business invests in Voluntary Biodiversity Credits (VBCs), you are supporting projects that quantify their ecological uplift. These projects use recognised biodiversity metrics like the UK Goverment approved DEFRA BNG metric. Specifically, projects quantify ecological uplift by using tools such as remote sensing, environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, and field-based ecological surveys to monitor key indicators like habitat condition, species richness, and functional diversity.

Question 26

How is price determined for VBCs?

Accepted Answer

Prices for Voluntary Biodiversity Credits (VBCs) vary by project and habitat type. Factors influencing cost include the distinctiveness of the ecosystem, the scale and complexity of restoration, and the specific biodiversity outcomes being delivered.

As of 2024, indicative UK market price ranges are:

- **Low distinctiveness habitats** (e.g. modified grassland): **£15,000–£30,000 per unit**

- **Medium distinctiveness habitats** (e.g. species-rich grassland): **£25,000–£50,000 per unit**

- **High distinctiveness habitats** (e.g. ancient woodland, wetland): **£50,000–£100,000+ per unit**

These prices reflect not just the ecological value of the restoration, but also the long-term legal protection and monitoring required under frameworks like Biodiversity Net Gain.

To explore current VBC availability and pricing tailored to your goals, [get in touch with the Earthly team.](/contact-earthly)

Question 27

Why do VBCs from different projects have different prices?

Accepted Answer

Every Earthly VBC represents the same fixed area of land, a 9m² square, but a square is not a fixed amount of biodiversity. Under the government-approved DEFRA Biodiversity Metric, a hectare doesn't generate a set amount of uplift; the amount depends on the habitats being restored and their condition, as assessed by each project's ecologist. This means two projects can charge a near-identical price per biodiversity unit, and still have very different prices per square, because a square on the higher-uplift project simply contains more of that unit.

This keeps pricing tied directly to the real, measured outcome each project delivers, using the same government-approved data agreed with the site's developer, rather than to added quality or co-benefit judgements.

Question 28

Why should I buy VBCs annually if they are secured for thirty years?

Accepted Answer

Annual purchases align with business sustainability and impact reporting cycles, demonstrating ongoing support for biodiversity. Purchasing VBCs each year also ensures continuous support for ongoing conservation and restoration efforts, allowing your company to consistently contribute to biodiversity uplift and maintain your commitment to nature-positive actions over time.

Question 29

What legal mechanisms guarantee the 30-year biodiversity protection?

Accepted Answer

Earthly’s VBC projects follow UK **Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)** legislation, which requires biodiversity gains to be secured for a minimum of 30 years. This long-term protection is enforced through legally binding agreements, such as:

- **Section 106 agreements** (planning obligations between local authorities and landowners), or

- **Conservation covenants** (voluntary but legally binding agreements between a landowner and a responsible body, like a conservation organisation or public authority).
In addition to these legal instruments, each project must implement a **Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP)** to ensure ongoing stewardship, monitoring, and adaptive management throughout the 30-year period.

Question 30

How do we ensure long-term accountability and resilience?

Accepted Answer

The delivery of biodiversity uplift projects is monitored using robust systems tailored to the restoration activity and ecosystem type. Techniques include remote sensing, acoustic monitoring, camera traps, eDNA analysis, and field-based ecological surveys.

For UK-based projects operating under the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) framework, in-person monitoring is mandatory and follows a 30-year schedule, with standard reporting intervals at years 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30. The type and intensity of monitoring depend on habitat type and restoration scope.

Earthly ensures long-term accountability by:

- Aligning with international frameworks such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,

- Working with restoration partners who follow UK legislative requirements.

- Maintaining the first public ledger for voluntary biodiversity credits to ensure transparency and prevent double-counting.

Question 31

What framework(s) do VBCs fit into?

Accepted Answer

Earthly’s Voluntary Biodiversity Credits (VBCs) are derived from UK-based projects that follow the government’s statutory **Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)** framework, developed by DEFRA. These projects use the **DEFRA Biodiversity Metric** to measure ecological uplift — specifically, improvements in habitat type, condition, and distinctiveness over a legally secured 30-year period.

The credits Earthly offers represent **fractionalised units of biodiversity gain**, originally designed for land developers but now made available voluntarily to businesses seeking to invest in measurable, science-based nature restoration.

To ensure credibility and ecological rigour, all Earthly-backed VBC projects must:

1. Comply with **Natural England’s statutory guidance** on habitat condition and creation,

2. Secure biodiversity gains through **legally binding agreements** (e.g. Section 106 or conservation covenants),

3. Include a **Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP)** with long-term monitoring, adaptive management, and formal reporting intervals.

While the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is not a crediting mechanism or certification system itself, Earthly’s VBCs are also designed to align with and contribute to the delivery of key targets within it, particularly:

- **Target 2**: Ecosystem restoration,

- **Target 15**: Private sector disclosure and action,

- **Target 19**: Mobilising biodiversity finance.

This alignment ensures that VBCs function as a market-based tool to support global biodiversity goals through measurable, verifiable ecological impact.

Question 32

Can VBCs be used as an offset?

Accepted Answer

No, VBCs are not offsets. They are a market-driven solution designed to fund conservation and restoration initiatives that improve biodiversity. Unlike carbon credits, which directly compensate for carbon emissions, VBCs focus on ecological restoration and safeguarding habitats. They may offer indirect carbon sequestration as a co-benefit, but they are not intended to neutralise emissions.

While not an offset, VBCs can add value in other strategic ways. For example, in the UK, they can be used to help meet the mandatory 10% social value scoring in public-sector procurement bids. Because VBCs support outcomes linked to jobs, skills, economic regeneration, and environmental benefits, they align well with UK government tender requirements, including those in Northern Ireland, which follows aligned devolved frameworks.

[Speak to Earthly](/contact-earthly) for more information on how VBCs can contribute to your social value strategy.

Question 33

Can I buy a VBC for a nature lover as a gift?

Accepted Answer

Yes, VBCs make a thoughtful and impactful gift for individuals who care about nature and biodiversity. When you purchase a VBC as a gift, we can arrange for the recipient to receive a **personalised VBC certificate** that recognises their contribution to real-world ecosystem restoration.

Gifting VBC directly supports biodiversity projects that contribute to national and global targets like the UK’s 30x30 commitment (protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030). Since Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) alone isn’t enough to achieve this goal, voluntary contributions through VBCs play a vital role in expanding the reach and ambition of nature recovery.

To arrange a gift, [contact the Earthly team](/contact-earthly), and we’ll help you choose a project and issue the certificate.

Question 34

Can credits be invalidated due to ecological failure or non-compliance?

Accepted Answer

Earthly’s VBCs are verified against rigorous ecological and legal standards, but as with any nature-based intervention, **there are inherent risks**. Certain types of ecological failure, such as habitat degradation, invasive species outbreaks, or unsuccessful species reintroduction, could impact the delivery of expected biodiversity outcomes. In cases of non-compliance with management plans or legal agreements, credits could also be subject to review.

To safeguard against these risks, Earthly:

- Works only with projects that have **robust monitoring systems**,

- Requires **legally binding long-term commitments** (e.g. Section 106 agreements or conservation covenants), and

- Supports the use of **buffer credits** - a set-aside portion of credits not sold to buyers, reserved to account for potential ecological shortfalls or reversals.

These measures help ensure the **credibility and resilience** of VBCs over time, while building trust in a transparent and science-backed system. For more technical details on how invalidation is assessed and addressed, please contact the Earthly team.

Question 35

Are there any VBCs available outside of England?

Accepted Answer

Currently, Earthly’s VBCs are generated in England under the DEFRA framework but national and global expansion is being explored. Please reach out to our team for updates.

Question 36

How can we talk about purchasing VBCs publicly?

Accepted Answer

You can promote your nature action by highlighting how your VBC investment supports measurable biodiversity outcomes, aligns with global conservation goals, and contributes to the restoration of ecosystems and the protection of endangered species. These interventions are essential to improve soil structures, for adaptation to climate change, and contribute to the prevention of natural disasters like flooding and droughts.

Earthly provides transparent tracking through our public ledger and your impact dashboard, helping you share a credible and compelling biodiversity narrative with your stakeholders.

Question 37

What is the main benefit of future carbon sourcing?

Accepted Answer

Future carbon sourcing enables your company to secure a future supply of high-quality carbon credits that align with your values and sustainability goals. By locking in pricing today, you hedge against inflation, gain budget certainty, and give your finance team clarity for long-term planning.

Question 38

Buying future credits from existing projects vs supporting new projects

Accepted Answer

Buying from existing projects gives you faster access to verified carbon credits, but offers limited influence over how or where impact is delivered. Investing in new projects, also known as origination, allows you to get involved earlier, shape project outcomes, and secure more favourable pricing.

Origination opens the door to deeper, more personal impact. You could help restore part of the Amazon or bring degraded lands back to life across the world - you will not just offset emissions, but be part of something bigger.

Question 39

Can I make a combination of spot purchases and future sourcing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many businesses take a blended approach, combining spot purchases with future sourcing to strike a balance between immediate needs and long-term planning. This strategy allows you to meet short-term climate goals while securing high-quality credits for the future, providing flexibility, price stability, and continued impact over time.

Question 40

Is there a minimum quantity of future credits I can buy?

Accepted Answer

Minimum purchase quantities for future carbon credits can vary depending on the project. Working with Earthly may give you access to projects that come with higher minimums, unlocking opportunities that aren’t widely available elsewhere.

[Reach out to the Earthly team](/contact-earthly) to explore options that match your goals and scale.

Question 41

How far into the future can carbon credits be secured?

Accepted Answer

Carbon credits can typically be secured several years in advance, often through multi-year offtake agreements that span a decade or more. This long-term approach supports forward planning, locks in pricing, and helps ensure alignment with your net zero roadmap and evolving climate commitments.

Question 42

What’s the difference between origination and future carbon sourcing?

Accepted Answer

Origination means getting involved at the very beginning of a carbon project, often during the design and pre-verification stages, by providing upfront investment to help bring it to life, in exchange for access to the credits created once the project is off the ground. This early involvement gives you greater influence over the project’s direction, from location and methodology to social and environmental co-benefits.

Future carbon sourcing, on the other hand, involves contracting to purchase credits from a project once they are generated, regardless of whether you were involved in its development. It’s a way to secure access to future credits without taking on the same level of early-stage risk or commitment.

Question 43

How much influence over a project can we have through origination?

Accepted Answer

Origination gives your company a meaningful role in shaping a project from the ground up, from its design and location to the types of environmental and social co-benefits it delivers. This level of involvement ensures the project aligns closely with your sustainability priorities, brand values and long-term impact goals.

It’s worth noting that origination often requires a sizable upfront investment, reflecting the deeper influence and commitment it enables.

Question 44

Markets predict the price of a carbon credit to rise by 80%, why is that?

Accepted Answer

Carbon credit prices are expected to rise, in some cases by as much as 80%, due to several converging factors. Demand is growing rapidly as more companies commit to net zero targets and look for credible ways to address residual emissions. At the same time, compliance markets are expanding globally, tightening rules and raising the bar on what qualifies as a valid offset.

There’s also a major shift toward higher-integrity, nature-based and removal credits, which typically cost more to produce but offer greater long-term impact and reputational value. This tightening supply/demand dynamic, along with increased regulatory scrutiny and investor expectations, is driving long-term price growth across both voluntary and compliance markets.

Question 45

What data on future carbon sourcing could help me build my business case?

Accepted Answer

With projected carbon credit price increases (some forecasts are suggesting prices could rise by up to 80% by 2035), a key data point would be to project your company’s spend on the spot maket vs fixed-forward pricing. Get in touch with Earthly’s team for an accurate forecast of how much your organisation could save, based on your specific requirements.

Other relevant data includes evolving regulatory trends (such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), as well as the reputational and financial benefits of securing long-term, high-integrity offsets that align with your climate strategy.

Question 46

How does future carbon sourcing help reach our net zero targets?

Accepted Answer

Future carbon sourcing supports your net zero journey by securing a reliable supply of verified, high-quality carbon credits aligned with your business’ long-term goals. It complements internal emissions reductions by addressing hard-to-abate residual emissions, and provides a credible, forward-looking pathway to balance your footprint year after year.

Question 47

What happens if a project underperforms or is delayed?

Accepted Answer

We work only with high-integrity projects that include robust safeguards, and insurance is increasingly available to mitigate these risks. For more details, [speak with our team](/contact-earthly) about how Earthly can help de-risk your nature investments.

Question 48

Is future carbon sourcing only for large corporations?

Accepted Answer

No, while large corporations often lead in future sourcing, the market is evolving to support businesses of all sizes. Small and medium-sized enterprises are increasingly participating in future carbon sourcing through flexible contracting options that align with their budgets and net zero strategies.
It’s important to distinguish between future carbon sourcing and origination. Origination involves providing early-stage, catalytic funding to get a project off the ground, and typically requires a larger, long-term financial commitment. In contrast, future carbon sourcing focuses on securing credits for future delivery and can often be tailored to fit a wider range of company sizes and needs.

Question 49

What types of NbS are available through future carbon sourcing?

Accepted Answer

Earthly supports a diverse [portfolio of projects](/products/buy-now), including reforestation, mangrove restoration, agroforestry, peatland protection and more - each vetted for impact, co-benefits, and long-term resilience.

Question 50

What kind of reporting data and updates will we receive?

Accepted Answer

You’ll receive clear, regular updates on your project’s progress, including verification milestones, credit issuance timelines, and detailed environmental and social impact data aligned with recognised carbon standards.

Earthly also maintains close relationships with project developers, so if a project isn’t meeting its stated goals, we’ll step in to engage with partners, troubleshoot issues, and keep you informed every step of the way. Our priority is to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

Question 51

What kind of returns can we expect from early-stage engagement?

Accepted Answer

Early engagement in future carbon sourcing can unlock long-term cost savings by securing high-quality credits at today’s prices. It also strengthens your brand’s climate leadership, enhances stakeholder trust, and delivers measurable environmental outcomes over time.
Beyond these direct benefits, there’s a strategic imperative: companies supporting future carbon sourcing are better positioned to stay ahead of tightening regulatory expectations and emerging disclosure frameworks. Aligning climate investments with forward-looking policy shifts is becoming essential for long-term resilience and investor confidence.
Future carbon sourcing also creates opportunities to lead beyond your own operations by engaging suppliers, partners, and customers in shared net zero goals. You can build coalitions that scale impact and reinforce your role as a climate leader within your industry.

[Let’s talk](/contact-earthly) about how it could apply to your sector.

Question 52

Lock- in carbon credit prices from high-impact NbS projects with Earthly

Accepted Answer

At Earthly, every project we support undergoes a rigorous [168-point assessment](/project-assessment) across three key pillars: carbon, biodiversity, and people. This ensures that the carbon credits you secure are high quality, meaningful and backed by science, data, and long-term impact.

By locking in your future carbon credits today, you secure cost-effective pricing and protect your business from future market volatility. You also demonstrate climate leadership, support world-class nature-based solutions around the globe, and take a meaningful step toward your sustainability goals.

[Talk to our team](/contact-earthly) to explore projects that match your goals.

Question 53

Can tree-planting projects be used for offsetting emissions?

Accepted Answer

Tree-planting or afforestation projects that are registered for carbon credits can be used for offsetting emissions. But not all tree planting projects may not wish to apply for carbon certification. Currently, most tree planting projects including the ones we support do not have carbon certification, hence they can not be used for offsetting. However, our projects use their internal carbon accounting methodology that will still allow user to get a conservative estimate of the carbon impact your trees are having on the planet.

Question 54

How do I get started in planting trees or supporting a project?

Accepted Answer

You can get started instantly via our [marketplace](/products/buy-now) - browse our projects then decide how much support you would like to give. To discuss your needs specifically, or to set up a recurring investment in a project, [get in touch with our team](/contacts).

Question 55

Do you have a corporate tree planting scheme?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can contribute via our projects [marketplace](/products/buy-now) or [contact our sales team](/contacts) for a tailored approach.

Question 56

Aren't offsets just covering up the problem?

Accepted Answer

While carbon offsets are not a perfect solution and should not be relied on as the sole strategy for decarbonisation, they can be a good stop-gap measure while companies work towards reducing their own emissions. This is especially true for industries that are currently unable to fully decarbonise due to technological limitations or lack of alternatives.

Carbon offsets also serve as an important tool for transitioning towards a low-carbon economy, by incentivising the development of sustainable projects and technologies. In addition, they can help companies to meet emissions reduction targets and comply with regulations, while simultaneously contributing to global emissions reductions.

Of course, it is important to note that carbon offsets should only be used as part of a comprehensive decarbonisation strategy, and not as a way to avoid reducing emissions in the first place.

Question 57

What is a carbon credit?

Accepted Answer

A carbon offset is a credit that represents the reduction or removal of one metric ton of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases, from the atmosphere. It is used to compensate for the emissions of carbon dioxide from an activity, such as air travel or driving, by funding projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gases, for example reforestation or renewable energy. The purpose of carbon offsets is to mitigate climate change by promoting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and helping to meet emissions reduction targets. In order to ensure carbon offsets are creating real and progressive climate impacts, the emissions they claim to reduce must be: additional, real, measurable, have no leakage, permanent and verifiable.

We go deeper into exploring carbon credits and offsetting [here](/the-guide-to-carbon-offsetting) if you’re interested in learning more.

Question 58

What is the difference between carbon avoidance and removal?

Accepted Answer

Carbon avoidance refers to activities that prevent or reduce the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, such as avoiding deforestation, promoting use of renewable energy or improving energy efficiency.

Carbon removal, on the other hand, involves capturing and storing carbon dioxide that has already been emitted into the atmosphere, typically through nature-based methods such as afforestation or technological methods such as direct air capture.

Carbon avoidance focuses on reducing future emissions, while carbon removal focuses on removing existing emissions from the atmosphere.

Question 59

Why do you say both carbon removal and carbon offsetting?

Accepted Answer

Carbon offsetting and carbon removal are different. Carbon offsetting involves calculating a carbon footprint and then facilitating the removal of an equal amount of carbon, through verified carbon credits. Carbon removal can be done in any quantity - the Science Based Targets Initiative recommend businesses contribute to global carbon reduction goals by removing carbon beyond just their footprint or value chain.

Question 60

What do the different carbon certifications and standards mean?

Accepted Answer

There are several different carbon credit certification programs, each with their own criteria and standards for verifying emissions reductions and certifying carbon credits. Some of the major certification programs include the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), the Gold Standard, the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards (CCB Standards), and the American Carbon Registry (ACR).

The VCS focuses on greenhouse gas emissions reductions and removals, while the Gold Standard also includes sustainable development and social benefits for local communities. The CCB Standards emphasise biodiversity conservation, community engagement, and sustainable land use, while the ACR primarily verifies emissions reductions in the United States.

The specific criteria and standards for each certification program can vary, but all aim to provide credibility and transparency in carbon credit verification, and to promote environmental and social co-benefits alongside emissions reductions.

Question 61

Can I remove more carbon than I produce?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! The more carbon you want to remove, the better – it strengthens your residual-emissions coverage and your claims position. You can do this in one big hit, or increase your investments over time.

Question 62

Do you offer a carbon neutral certification?

Accepted Answer

No, Earthly are not in a position to verify if a business is carbon neutral. This distinction matters increasingly under rules like the EU's Empowering Consumers Directive, which restrict climate-neutral claims not grounded in a verified residual gap.

Question 63

Do you provide a carbon reduction plan?

Accepted Answer

To build a fully-comprehensive reduction strategy, we can connect you with industry-specific partners to support you on this.

Question 64

Why are these considered high-quality projects? How do I know they are genuine and have real impact?

Accepted Answer

We assess all projects for their impact to ensure all our projects are of the highest standard. To learn more visit the [Assessment Framework](/project-assessment) overview where you can download an ebook and and learn more about how we score each project.

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