What can a company claim under the VCMI Claims Code (Silver, Gold, Platinum)?

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Senseible · Accepted Answer

A VCMI claim says a company is cutting its own emissions on a science-aligned path and also buying high-quality carbon credits for part of what remains. Silver covers 20% to under 60% of remaining emissions, Gold 60% to under 100%, Platinum 100% or more. Four prerequisites come first, and the claim must be independently assured. Without all four, no tier can be claimed, however many credits you buy. Keep and publicly disclose an annual greenhouse gas inventory covering Scope 1, 2 and 3. Set and publish science-aligned near-term targets and a public commitment to net zero by 2050 at the latest. Show you are on track to meet those near-term targets. Show that your public policy engagement supports the Paris Agreement goals. Silver: credits retired equal to at least 20% and less than 60% of remaining emissions in the claim year. Gold: at least 60% and less than 100%. Platinum: 100% or more. Remaining emissions are the Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions left in that year after your own reductions. VCMI requires high-quality credits, which it ties to the ICVCM Core Carbon Principles. Credits must be retired, not just held, and the retirement must be traceable to your company and claim year. A claim does not let you subtract credits from your inventory; you report gross emissions and the credits separately. VCMI's Scope 3 Action Code of Practice (2024) is a separate, time-limited route for companies behind on their Scope 3 target. It lets them use high-quality credits to address part of the gap, under conditions on their target and their progress. Check the current text before using it, as VCMI has been revising both codes. Most MSMEs cannot make a VCMI claim yet, because it needs a published Scope 3 inventory and a science-aligned target. The first two prerequisites are still worth building: an EU buyer making its own VCMI claim will want your measured emissions for its Scope 3.