Abstract

Carbon credits have become popular as a corporate strategy to combat climate change, but their effectiveness and ethical implications remain contested. A carbon credit is a certificate representing one tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions removed or reduced, typically issued through projects like reforestation, renewable energy, or methane capture. The voluntary carbon market enables companies to offset emissions by purchasing these credits, ostensibly balancing their carbon footprint. According to recent research, corporate claims about “net zero” and “carbon neutrality” increasingly depend on these voluntary markets. Yet, concerns persist about the authenticity of these claims and whether they genuinely contribute to mitigating climate change or merely provide a façade for continued emissions.