ClimatePal: Developing a High-Integrity Carbon Crediting Scheme
Background
The voluntary carbon market has gained significant momentum since 2020,driven by growing demand for credible climate action and nature-based solutions. At the same time, concerns about the integrity of existing projects, standards and methodologies are growing.
In response, Meo Carbon Solutions (MCS) began developing a high-integrity carbon crediting scheme, ClimatePal, with the aim of aligning it with internationally recognized integrity frameworks and emerging regulatory initiatives.
Its development coincided with the launch of the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM), which introduced the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) to guide high-quality crediting schemes. In parallel, the European Commission proposed the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation in 2022, with finalization expected by 2026. Climatepal will apply for EU recognition as a CRCF certification scheme, and MCS will support its further development and positioning in the CRCF Market.
The Challenge
Historically, carbon crediting projects have been rare in Europe because regulatory frameworks often already require sustainability and emissions reductions. Most existing standards and methodologies were designed for use in emerging and developing economies and often fall short when applied to European contexts—particularly in ensuring the environmental and social integrity of project activities.
Meanwhile, demand for high-integrity carbon credits is growing. Buyers are increasingly looking for credits certified by comprehensive, transparent, and credible schemes. However, project developers face significant obstacles: complex certification procedures, limited guidance for European conditions and long delays due to backlogs in existing programs. These challenges create a gap between market expectations and the practical realities of project implementation.
Our Solutions
MCS is supporting ClimatePal’s development through targeted pilot projects that test methodologies in real-world settings. MCS ensures these projects are practical and credible by drawing on its network of project partners, market insights and experience in carbon certification. By collaborating with project developers and certification bodies, MCS is establishing a certification pathway that responds to market expectations while remaining accessible to those implementing climate solutions on the ground.
Our Approach
From the very beginning, MCS was involved in the initial design of the ClimatePal system. MCS has since supported the system’s further development by streamlining the certification process, translating certification requirements into concrete steps for project developers and overseeing verification for the pilot projects. In this way, MCS has served as a link between the verification body and the project developer. MCS is committed to embedding integrity at every stage of ClimatePal’s development, with all pilot projects and associated documentation adhering to the CCPs established by the ICVCM—including effective governance, identifiable, transparent, third-party-verified, permanent and robustly quantified, among others.
Additionally, MCS and the project initiators develop these in close collaboration to serve as early test cases for implementing the EU’s proposed regulation, helping shape how future carbon removal and farming activities can be credibly certified within the region. MCS provides hands-on support for project implementation and prioritizes the practical needs of project developers, including co-developing activity and monitoring plans tailored to each pilot’s context. Through continuous dialogue with pilot partners, MCS refines ClimatePal’s methodologies based on real-world feedback. MCS also engages with independent certification bodies to ensure rigorous third-party verification. This process ensures that ClimatePal remains both scientifically robust and grounded in the realities of project execution.
The Results
ClimatePal is formally established as an independent entity, with core system components in place. While development continues, the framework is operational and moving towards full alignment with the ICVCM’s CCPs, with preparations underway for compliance with the upcoming EU CRCF regulation.
ClimatePal has completed numerouspilot projects, providing valuable insights that continue to inform system improvements. Once fully developed, ClimatePal will offer a high-integrity certification system for carbon credits and ecosystem services, designed to support climate action and sustainable development.
ClimatePal aims to be among the first certification schemes recognized under the EU’s regulation on carbon removals and carbon farming, expected in 2026. Its long-term vision is to contribute meaningfully to climate change mitigation, enhance human livelihoods and protect biodiversity—while upholding the highest standards of environmental and social integrity, grounded in the ICVCM’s framework.