How to Get Paid for Carbon Credits (21 Tips & Best Payers)

If you want to know how to get paid for Carbon credits, this article is going to really help.

And yes, you can help the environment and get paid for it!

This article contains very powerful tips and ways to achieve this and some of the best companies that really pay or help you get paid for Carbon credits.

 

Importance

Many expressions can be stated when it comes to credit.

There are credit cards, credit scores, bad credit, good credit, extra credit, credit ratings, and more.

Now there are carbon credits.

Is it possible to have a good carbon credit score? How do you obtain carbon credits? Are carbon credits stored? How can you or can you spend carbon credits?

Let us demystify carbon credits and find out exactly what they are, how they can be used, and who will use them.

 

Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement that was reached upon by many nations.

This international compact was designed to control and significantly reduce the emissions into the Earth’s atmosphere from carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

This protocol was ratified at a conference that was held in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan.

It subsequently became international law on February 16, 2005.

192 countries signified their commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 5.2% by the year 2012. This percentage would equal 29% of the world’s total emissions.

As part of the accountability, there was a monitoring, review, and verification process put into place.

China and India were exempted from the treaty.

The United States did not sign the Kyoto Protocol because it deemed that the protocol was unfair and only required those countries defined as developed to reduce the emissions and also that the protocols put into place would limit the United States’ economy.

 

10 Tips & Ways to Get Paid for Carbon Credits

 

1. Know all about Carbon Credits 

Carbon credits or carbon offsets are measurable units that equate to the emission reductions from a variety of climate projects that help to reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).

Carbon credit is the equivalent of one metric ton of carbon dioxide.

Therefore, if an action is taken to offset this amount of carbon dioxide it is considered a carbon credit.

 

2. Know How the Process Works

Carbon credits are earned when there is an action taken to reduce the carbon emissions by one metric ton of carbon dioxide.

Those actions could be the planting of trees, agreeing not to cut down trees, utilization of windmills, reduction in cattle, or ways to control the methane gas, etc.

 

3. Worth 

There is an actual dollar figure that is associated with carbon credit.

The price varies and is dependent upon the demand and supply of the economy.

For example, in September 2021, carbon credit was valued at $16 per metric ton of carbon dioxide that was stored.

 

4. Verify 

Of course, the actions taken to sell carbon credits need to be regulated based on a verifiable processe.

The process of verifying a carbon credit requires the use of an analysis of data that has been gathered.

One such company that verifies the carbon credit is LandGate and through their actions, the carbon credits are labeled as Certified Emissions Reductions.

This company also assists landowners in the sale of their carbon credits to sell to buyers through this certification process.

 

5. Identify 

There are a variety of programs that can be implemented to provide carbon offsets or carbon credits.

The common thread is that these credits need to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gases.

Typical programs that qualify or are effective include forest management improvement and reforestation, the capture and destroying of methane gas, switching your resources, utilization of energy-efficient power plants, windmills, and more.

 

6. Sell

In America, actions were taken by companies, farmers, ranchers, and individuals who can sell their carbon credits or offsets through a direct tax or the CCX.

The CCX is an exchange that connects the company and industries with those suppliers of carbon credits.

Carbon credits are considered as a commodity with the CCX standing for the Chicago Climate Exchange.

 

7. Document 

If you decide to pursue the selling of carbon credits, you will need to decide on something that would qualify as reducing carbon emission,

If you decide upon planting a tree, you reach out to a buyer of your carbon credit.

 

8. Certification

Once the transaction has been agreed upon, you then provide the buyer a certificate indicating that carbon emissions are being reduced by the planting of the tree.

Documented proof needs to be provided such as a picture of the tree planted as well as a written statement.

The statement should have language such as how the buyer has reduced carbon emissions through the purchase of this carbon credit.

You then proceed to plant the tree and repeat this process as often as you wish.

 

9. Repeat 

You can then repeat this process as often as you wish as long as you maintain the integrity of the program.

There is no maximum number of credits that are allowed.

 

10. Larger Scale

On a larger scale, some businesses can reduce their carbon footprint by installing renewable energy or energy that is more efficient and doesn’t need the cost of coal-powered electricity.

These individuals may be able to receive carbon credits for reducing carbon emissions through the installation of solar panels.

Farmers, ranchers, and other agriculturalists can also reduce their carbon footprint.

This can be accomplished by capturing methane gas released from cattle, planting more trees and plants, and more to help minimize carbon emissions.

Through a variety of companies, these individuals can work in partnership to determine what is the amount of carbon credit that can be realized through some of these carbon reduction options.

 

11 Best Companies That Pay or Help You Get Paid for Carbon Credits

 

1. Alphabet 

Alphabet is a subsidiary of Google and has had a history of being on the cutting edge of reducing its carbon footprint.

In essence, this company has eliminated its entire carbon footprint due to its actions of purchasing high-quality carbon offsets.

 

2. Native Energy 

Native Energy is a certified public benefit corporation that offers to both businesses and individuals carbon offsets.

This company sells green energy credits which in turn helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Native Energy also utilizes software that tracks carbon emissions as well as carbon credits and aids these companies in compliance with the international protocols as it relates to the emission of greenhouse gases.

Click here to check out Native Energy

 

3. eBay

For the individual who wishes to do their part and get paid in the process, they can go through the process of planting a tree or taking some other action to reduce their carbon emission.

They document the process and post a picture and or certification on eBay.

They can then ask for a certain dollar amount and an individual or company can purchase that carbon credit.

Click here to check out eBay

 

4. Honeywell 

Honeywell is taking its corporate responsibility seriously and endeavoring to reduce carbon emissions.

By the year 2035, they are working towards the goal of being carbon neutral in all of their facilities and operations.

They are accomplishing this by investing in energy-efficient programs, transferring to renewable energy sources, and swapping out fuel-based vehicles with electricity

Added to the mix they are buying carbon credits to ensure that the balance is maintained.

 

5. Cemex 

Cemex is an extensive concrete producing company on the North American continent.

To decrease their carbon footprint, they have developed a net-zero concrete product through innovation, a newly manufactured product.

This entire process has reduced their carbon emissions by 70%.

The remaining 30% will be coming from the purchase of carbon credits.

 

6. Delta 

Delta Air Lines is a significant player as it relates to the purchase of carbon credits.

Due to the reality of the industry and the burning of fossil fuels their carbon footprint is extreme.

To mitigate their impact as it relates to carbon emissions, they purchased 7.8 million metric tons of carbon credits between the years 2017 to 2019.

They plan to purchase an additional 13 million metric tons of carbon credits.

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7. Disney

The plan of action for Disney to decrease or neutralize its carbon footprint was to look internally within the corporation.

Their plan of action was to take the carbon tax money and set it aside in a separate fund labeled climate solutions.

This fund then is used to purchase carbon offsets and to provide financial support for energy-efficient projects.

Disney indicates that their plan of action and investments have reduced greenhouse gas emissions to the equivalent of having 900,000 cars removed from the roads.

 

8. Shell 

Shell is a primary contributor to producing carbon dioxide into the air because its business is fossil fuel-based.

In endeavoring to be a responsible citizen of the world, they are not only purchasing carbon credits but looking for additional ways to mitigate the emissions into the environment as well as managing fuel prices.

Their strategy is to buy in total, carbon projects or the purchase of companies that have devised these projects.

This way they ensure that their carbon credits offset their emissions as much as possible.

 

9. PG&E 

PG&E is inviting customers to participate in reducing their carbon footprint.

The program they have initiated is Climate Smart.

They have provided this option to their customers by providing an opportunity for a monthly donation, which is tax-deductible, to be added to the utility bill if they so desire.

The money is used to restore native redwood forests, harness methane gas from landfills and properly dispose of refrigerants from old air-conditioners and discarded freezers.

Today, there have been 30,000 customers who have participated in this program and in total, 686,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions have been offset.

 

10. Microsoft 

Microsoft has reached the level of carbon neutrality primarily through its investment in offsets.

Those investments in projects focus on avoiding future emissions instead of trying to negate the carbon emissions that have already been produced.

 

11. Jet Blue 

JetBlue, due to its being part of the airline industry, has a considerable carbon footprint as it relates to its business operations.

The first airline, in 2020, to commit to achieving carbon neutrality has been JetBlue.

Their goal is to commit to this carbon neutrality for all domestic flights by offsetting carbon dioxide emissions from its jet fuel.

 

Making Money with Carbon Credits FAQs

 

Are There Limits as to How Many Carbon Credits You Can Sell?

There is no legal limit as to how many carbon credits you can sell.

 

When Did the Option of Selling Carbon Credits Start?

The program of selling carbon credits began in 1989 in the country of Guatemala.

It was invented by an economist by the name of Arthur Cecil Pigou.

 

What Country is the Biggest Producer of Carbon Dioxide Emissions?

The largest producer of carbon dioxide gas in the world is China.

In 2018 it was the output of carbon dioxide emissions measured at 10.06 billion metric tons.

 

You Can Do It

Not only are companies responsible for their carbon footprint but we as individuals are responsible as well.

Therefore, we each must do our part to reduce our carbon footprint comprised of carbon emissions by not only reducing what we create as individuals but what actions we can take to start producing a credit balance on carbon emissions.

Whether we get paid for the carbon credits that we can produce or not, in essence, the payment is a cleaner and more vibrant world.

 

Conclusion

The corporate and business world is leading the charge against greenhouse gases.

These responsible citizens are doing their part to neutralize their carbon footprint as they conduct business around the world.

Forward-thinking leaders have identified the issue and have devised a plan where carbon credits can be used to offset carbon emissions.

Additionally, as part of the plan and as an incentive to others, there are monetary possibilities for an individual to incentivize their actions.