How to find the right climate projects for your company

The voluntary carbon market offers more than 10,200 climate projects, but which one is the right fit for your company?

Instead of spending hours comparing project types, regions, and impacts, there is a much simpler way to get started.

Finding suitable climate projects in minutes

In just three questions, the ClimatePartner project quiz helps companies identify climate projects based on strategic priorities, preferred regions, and desired impact and co-benefits.

After completing the quiz, companies receive two tailored project suggestions along with downloadable fact sheets that provide detailed insights.

Get your project recommendations

Why choosing the right climate project matters

Climate projects are more than a symbolic contribution. They are a strategic investment in global climate action.

The right choice helps you:

• Align with your sustainability goals
• Create measurable environmental and social impact
• Build credibility with stakeholders
• Ensure long-term consistency in your climate strategy
• Optimise spending by securing carbon credits early, especially before prices rise in a tightening market

What makes a good climate project?

When building a carbon credit portfolio or selecting a single project to support, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The right project depends on a company's values, sustainability targets, and the kind of impact a company wants to create.

Here are the most important criteria to evaluate:

1. Project type: Removal, reduction, or avoidance?

Climate projects fall into three broad categories, based on their project technology:

• Removal projects remove carbon from the atmosphere (reforestation, biochar, direct air capture, etc.).
• Reduction projects reduce emissions compared to a business-as-usual scenario (improved cookstoves, clean drinking water, renewable energy, etc.).
• Avoidance projects prevent the release of greenhouse gases (forest protection via REDD+, improved forest management, etc.).

A well-rounded approach combines all three types in a high-quality carbon credit portfolio. Current market trends, including guidance from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), recommend increasing the share of removal projects within a portfolio.

It can also be beneficial to combine established solutions (proven, scalable) with innovative approaches (emerging, high future potential). This balance helps ensure both reliability and long-term impact.

2. Region

Many companies prefer to support projects in regions where they operate or source materials. Others prioritise areas with the greatest need for climate and development support.

In many cases, investing in projects in least developed countries can maximise impact, as the same financial contribution can achieve significantly greater climate and social benefits.

3. Co-benefits and SDGs

Quality climate projects go beyond emissions impact and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing issues such as poverty, health, gender equality, and biodiversity.

Additional quality labels such as the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards (CCB) or the Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard (SD VISta) can help identify projects with verified co-benefits.

4. Standards and methodologies

Credible climate projects are certified under recognised standards such as Verra's Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) or the Gold Standard (GS).

These frameworks ensure that emissions reductions are calculated, monitored, and verified using robust methodologies.

5. Vintages and timing

The vintage refers to the year in which a carbon reduction, removal, or avoidance was achieved. Companies should also consider the timing of credit delivery, especially when investing in projects before credits have been issued.

These factors influence how companies plan, report, and communicate their climate contributions.

Not sure where to start? Take our project quiz!

Now that you know what to look for, let us help you narrow it down. Our project quiz matches your priorities to high-quality climate projects in just a few clicks.

Find your climate project

ClimatePartner: Your partner for high-quality climate projects

Since 2006, ClimatePartner has managed more than 59 million tonnes of carbon credits. We help companies find, procure, and communicate their support for certified climate projects with transparency and credibility.