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While there are many ways to categorise carbon projects, we use two simple lenses to explain how they operate and the type of climate impact they deliver.
What the project delivers: Avoidance vs. Removal
Avoidance projects reduce emissions by preventing greenhouse gases from being released into the atmosphere.
Removal projects extract CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it in biological or engineered reservoirs for a defined period.
How the project operates: Nature-based vs. Technology-based
Nature-based solutions (NBS) rely on natural ecosystems and biological processes to reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions.
Technology-based solutions use engineered systems and industrial processes to deliver emission reductions or removals.
The project types below represent key categories commonly seen across global carbon markets.
At a basic level, carbon projects can be understood by what they do, avoid emissions or remove CO₂, and how they do it, through natural systems or technology. This framework helps simplify a complex carbon landscape.
