Carbon Credit Trading Scheme

Contact Us

Our advisor is just a call away

Carbon Credits: An In-Depth Exploration and the Indian Perspective (2024)

Understanding Carbon Credits: A Carbon credit signifies a permit allowing the emission of a predefined quantity of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) or other Greenhouse Gases (GHGs). These credits stem from international efforts to regulate GHG emissions. They represent tradable, legally valid certificates allowing the emission of one ton of CO2 or its equivalent.

Context of Carbon Credits: Industries, especially power, cement, steel, textiles, and fertilizers, significantly contribute to GHG emissions through fossil fuel burning. Carbon credits are allocated to countries that successfully lower their emissions below the quota. These can be traded globally, influencing industrial practices to reduce emissions and capitalize on Carbon trading opportunities.

Carbon Credit Traders in India: Prominent Carbon credit traders in India include Reliance Energy Ltd., Tata Motors Ltd., Tata Steel Ltd., Bajaj Finserv Ltd., Tata Power Company Ltd., and Grasim Industries Ltd.

Types of Carbon Markets:
Voluntary Carbon Market: Allows private entities to trade credits representing GHG reduction or removal initiatives. Participants include project developers, end purchasers, and intermediaries.
Compliance Carbon Market: Governed by mandatory international, national, or regional Carbon management regimes, often following the "cap-and-trade" principle, as seen in the European Union's emissions trading system.
Role of Carbon Markets: Carbon markets play a crucial role in complementing emission reduction efforts, driving capital towards scalable solutions, incentivizing innovation, and creating environmental, social, and economic co-benefits.

Overview of Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2024:

The Indian government, through the "draft Green Credit Programme Implementation Rules, 2023" and the "Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023," emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change. The scheme, administered by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), assigns a value (Carbon credit) to each ton of CO2 reduced or avoided. Stakeholders include BEE, the Grid Controller of India Limited, and the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

Energy Conservation Bill 2001: The Energy Conservation Bill amendment authorizes a domestic Carbon credit trading scheme, allowing public and private entities to generate Carbon credits for emissions reduction.

Regulatory Developments: The Energy Conservation Amendment Bill 2022 aims to provide a legal framework for Carbon trading, encouraging private sector participation and expanding the scope to larger residential buildings.

Indian Carbon Market (ICM): The government's vision includes establishing the ICM to deCarbonize the Indian economy. The ICM, governed by the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, aligns with India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and Paris Agreement goals. It involves sector-specific GHG intensity reduction targets and a voluntary mechanism for non-obligated sectors.

Certificate for Carbon Credit Trading Scheme: Entities earn Carbon credit certificates by reducing emissions. The process involves planning, project approval, third-party validation, final review and approval, continuous project monitoring, and reporting to the certifying organization.
In summary, India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023, signifies a significant step towards sustainable development, incentivizing emissions reduction and fostering a low-Carbon economy. The ICM holds promise in aligning economic growth with environmental stewardship.

Challenges in Carbon Credit Trading:

1. Double-counting of GHG Emission Reductions:
Issue: Multiple parties or systems may claim the same emission reduction, leading to credibility and integrity concerns.
Impact: Compromises the trustworthiness of Carbon markets and their environmental effectiveness.

2. Regulatory Uncertainty:
Issue: Shifting regulations and policies across different countries create uncertainty for investors and businesses participating in Carbon credit trading.
Impact: Hinders long-term planning and investment decisions, reducing confidence in the market.

3. Greenwashing:
Issue: Fabricating or misrepresenting environmental commitments without actual emissions reduction, using Carbon credits as a cover.
Impact: Damages public trust, diverts resources from genuine climate actions, and undermines the effectiveness of Carbon credit initiatives.

4. Authenticity and High Standards of Climate Projects:
Issue: Ensuring the credibility and authenticity of climate projects by addressing challenges related to additionality, measurability, verifiability, permanence, and preventing emissions shifting.
Impact: Maintaining the integrity of Carbon credit projects and ensuring they contribute genuinely to emissions reduction.

5. Price Volatility:
Issue: Carbon credit prices can be highly volatile, making it challenging for businesses to plan and implement long-term sustainability initiatives.
Impact: Uncertain financial returns and potential disruptions to strategic sustainability planning.

Benefits of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (for India):

1. Profitability:
Benefit: Revenue generated from Carbon credits through trading can be invested profitably in creating renewable energy projects.
Impact: Encourages the development of sustainable projects, contributing to both economic growth and environmental conservation.

2. Energy Saving:
Benefit: Carbon credits can incentivize energy-saving initiatives, promoting responsible resource usage.
Impact: Fosters the adoption of energy-efficient practices and technologies.

3. Employment Generation:
Benefit: The establishment of industries engaged in renewable energy product manufacturing, supported by Carbon credits, can lead to job creation.
Impact: Addresses social and economic aspects by providing employment opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
Let's Get Started

Required Document List

  • Carbon Credit Trading Account
  • Emission Reduction Purchase Agreements (ERPA)
  • Carbon Credit Registry Account
  • Carbon Credit Trading Platform Membership
  • Financial Statements and Audits
  • Emission Reduction Credits (ERCs) Ownership Documentation
  • Trading Authorization Documentation
  • Carbon Credit Transaction Records
  • Offset Credit Retirement Documentation
  • Carbon Market Participant Registration
242542-P3OKBE-55-2.png

Why EPR Certificate Online?
(We make technical compliance certifications effortless and convenient.)

We focus on driving results.

Frequently Asked Questions

composite image businessman looking up holding laptop scaled 1 Carbon Credit Trading Scheme
Get in touch to learn more

Success Made Easy

Your guide for personal and professional success through strategy, planning, advisory, motivation and training. We provide personalized services to promote progression towards your desired outcomes.

1000+ Customers and Counting!

Let's Get Started