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Individuals and companies worldwide are recognising the importance of reducing their carbon emissions. As a result, many are reducing their carbon footprint through energy efficiency and other measures. However, it is impossible to achieve net zero by only reducing your carbon footprint.

There is a need for a flexible and scalable mechanism to achieve these ambitious goals. This is where carbon dioxide (CO₂) offsetting or compensation comes in. It is a way to give back to nature. Carbon units (or carbon credits) allow entities to neutralise their emissions through nature-based solutions. It can be focused on reforestation, afforestation, ecosystem restoration, and other projects that directly affect nature, communities, and wildlife.

Why invest in green bonds? Companies and individuals are keen to contribute to the environment. Carbon and biodiversity credits help individuals and companies turn their values into a tangible action plan and give back to nature at scale. Green bonds fund these vital nature-based projects that produce carbon units.

While there is interest from a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) point of view in contributing to nature conservation, this interest has increased over the past years due to the need to reduce and offset carbon emissions. CO₂ offsetting is done either on a mandatory or voluntary basis for CSR and public relations.

DGB Group verifies its carbon dioxide (CO₂) compensation according to Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) or the Gold Standard methods. The VCS programme is the world's most widely used voluntary carbon-offset programme. Nearly 1,700 certified VCS projects have collectively reduced or removed more than 630 million tonnes of CO₂ and other greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. 

Projects developed under the VCS programme must pass a rigorous review process to be certified. VCS projects cover many sectors, including renewable energy, such as wind and hydropower projects, forestry, deforestation prevention, and others. 

The VCS and Gold Standard specify the rules and requirements that all projects must meet to be certified. In addition, all such projects are subject to desk and field audits by qualified independent third parties to ensure standards are met and methodologies are correctly applied.

Projects are assessed against a technically sound greenhouse gas emission reduction quantification method specific to that project type. This ensures that the projects are executed with the highest standards, are transparent and verifiable, demonstrates real outcomes, and has positive social and environmental impacts.

We check all our projects for additionality, sustainability, and non-leakage.

• Additionality: Additionality requires the forest project to sequester more carbon dioxide (CO₂) than in a 'business as usual' scenario. The project must demonstrate that the carbon sequestration would not have happened without the development of the specific offsetting project.
  
  
• Sustainability: Sustainability requires that greenhouse gas (GHG) removal improvements be maintained for up to 100 years. To demonstrate sustainability, each project must undergo external verification of inventory reports and a site visit every six years during the project life (±25 years).
  
  
• Non-leakage: Leakage from carbon offset projects occurs when the reduction of GHGs in one area results in an unintended increase in GHG emissions in another location. Project managers must demonstrate that their project does not cause excessive leakage, essentially wiping out the increase in GHG removal from their project.