When purchasing carbon credits, ensuring their legitimacy is crucial to supporting genuine emissions reductions. Here are key steps to trust the carbon credits you buy: Verify through third-party organizations: Choose carbon credits independently verified by reputable bodies like Verra, CCBS, or the Gold Standard for transparency and credibility. Demand transparency: Access detailed project information, including location, project type, and verified emissions reductions achieved. Confirm verified emissions reductions: Ensure an independent third party has certified that claimed reductions are real and directly linked to the project. Check additionality: Ensure emissions reductions wouldn't have occurred without the carbon offset project, confirming they are additional. Select high-quality projects: Invest in projects certified under rigorous standards like VERRA or the Gold Standard, ensuring positive impacts on communities and the environment. By following these steps, you can confidently purchase carbon credits that contribute to genuine, permanent, and additional emissions reductions.