WHAT IS ICROA?

The International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA) represents the interests of service providers in promoting emissions reductions and offsetting to the highest standards of environmental integrity and in support of the Paris Agreement. ICROA provides an Accreditation Programme and supports organisations through advocacy and action-oriented activities aimed at advancing best practice in the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM). ICROA is a non-profit initiative housed within the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA).

Mission: ICROA’s mission is to enable climate leadership of corporates and governments by developing and advancing best practices in emissions reductions and carbon offsetting ahead of and beyond regulation.

ICROA’S OBJECTIVES

ICROA provides a framework for responsible corporate climate action through Integrity in the use of carbon credits, Quality of carbon credit supply, and delivering Impact to raise ambition:

• INTEGRITY: enhance the market’s integrity by setting the standard for emission reductions and offsetting to deliver Paris-aligned reduction pathways and enhance best practice through the ICROA Accreditation Programme.
  
  
• QUALITY: promote and advance the use of high-quality carbon credits registered to credible internationally recognised standards and which promote delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  
  
• IMPACT: promote and facilitate carbon finance as an effective and scalable tool to achieve both environmental and social impact, and to raise climate ambition.

ICROA DELIVERS ITS OBJECTIVES IN THREE WAYS:

i. THROUGH THE ICROA ACCREDITATION PROGRAMME

The ICROA Accreditation Programme defines and promotes best practice in the financing of high-quality emissions reductions and use of carbon credits as an effective carbon management tool. The Programme is open to all organisations who provide a carbon offsetting service. Participation requires membership to both IETA and an ongoing annual independent audit to assure compliance to the ICROA Code of Best Practice. ICROA Accredited organisations may use the ICROA Accreditation Label.

ii. AS A PLATFORM FOR ADVOCACY AND INNOVATION

ICROA works collaboratively with key stakeholders to develop policy positions, drive innovation and thought leadership, to enhance and safeguard the value and impact of voluntary climate action. We deliver this role through the following platforms:

• ICROA working groups: The Technical, Communications, and Policy & Advocacy working groups are dynamic and interactive forums where service providers align on positions and gain knowledge. ICROA Accredited organisations and Friends of ICROA may participate in these groups.
  
  
• Public events and collaborations: Open and interactive forums to advance the VCM by tackling the most pressing issues and fostering innovation (e.g. forums include hackathons, panel discussions, partnerships).

iii. FACILITATING CARBON FINANCE TO COMPLEMENT COUNTRIES’ PARIS COMMITMENTS

Facilitate the needs of project developers and buyers to advance countries’ ambition to deliver the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Work with countries to facilitate delivery of their NDCs and support buyers to understand country priorities. Increase the impact of carbon finance by facilitating prioritisation and connecting buyers to countries.

Website: https://www.icroa.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ICROA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/76522430/