Open call for carbon removal credits from an experienced Fortune 50 multinational buyer

Carbon Direct is supporting an experienced Fortune 50 multinational buyer to secure high-quality carbon removal credits. 

Successful projects will comply with the 2024 Carbon Direct Criteria for High-Quality Carbon Dioxide Removal. Carbon Direct is currently seeking proposals, on behalf of the buyer, for carbon removal projects that fulfill the following principles:

Project principles

Projects must: 

• Generate carbon removal credits. The buyer will prioritize the following carbon removal project types: IFM, ARR, DAC, and BECCS. Soil organic carbon and biochar projects will not be considered. 

• Generate positive, durable, and additional impacts for climate, communities, and the environment without causing leakage.

• Support a just transition, ecosystem services, and, where appropriate, native species.

• Use well-documented and conservative carbon accounting methods aligned with scientific best practices. 

• Transparently document benefits sharing and community engagement.

• Demonstrate compliance with free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC).

Projects should:

• Be sold directly by developers rather than by brokers.

• If nature-based, preference for projects that apply a co-benefit impact standard such as Verra’s Climate, Community, and Biodiversity (CCB).

• Where forestry or agricultural commodities are being sold, preference for projects to apply a certification standard such as the Forest Stewardship Council, or equivalent.

Projects must not:

• Convert existing native habitats or natural forests into project areas.

• Allow the introduction of non-native, invasive, or other species that are determined to be harmful to the local environment.

• Allow the use of chemicals banned in the United States or European Union.

• Involve activities that negatively impact land, air, or water through pollution or contamination. 

• Promote illegal or unsustainable extraction or use of natural resources and feedstocks.

• Function contrary to local laws, regulations, and international best practices related to fair wages, benefits sharing, human rights, human health and safety, environmental impacts, labor practices, land tenure, and natural resource management.

Project parameters

If the project aligns with the above principles, please consider the following parameters to further align the project opportunity with the buyer’s preferences:

Purchase size:

• Buyer is targeting procurement of 200,000 - 300,000 total metric tonnes of CO2 removal. 

• Projects able to deliver credits in 2025, 2026, and 2027 will be prioritized. The buyer would be willing to consider projects issuing credits prior to 2030 that would extend beyond 2030.

• The buyer will accept a minimum volume of 10,000 tonnes over one year or 15,000 over two years. 

• Buyer is open to scaling procurement from qualifying projects beyond the target purchase size.

Development economics:

• Projects able to leverage additional sources of finance (i.e., matched funding or revenue streams beyond carbon) will be prioritized.

Project stage:

• Projects at all stages of development will be considered, including pre-feasibility opportunities if they are purchase-ready. However, projects that are currently validated or undergoing validation will be prioritized.

• Established carbon projects with expansion propositions are of particular interest.

Project developers:

• Developers must be able to demonstrate a track record of success.

• Developers must provide evidence of excellent community relationships and local relevance.

• Projects with procurement available directly from the developer (rather than via a broker) will be prioritized.

Geography:

• Global applicants are welcome.

• Projects in North America, India, and the Philippines will be prioritized.

• All project locations will be subject to a travel and risk assessment.

Project methodologies:

• All ICROA-certified carbon removal methodologies will be considered.

• Projects registered with the following protocols will be prioritized:

  • IFM

    • VM0045

    • ACR 2.1

    • Co-benefits certifications such as Verra’s CCB are a plus

  • ARR

    • VM0047

    • Gold Standard AR

    • Co-benefits certifications such as Verra’s CCB are a plus

  • DAC

    • Verra CCS+

  • BECCS

    • No preference

Submission guidelines and selection timeline

If your project meets these criteria, we encourage you to submit a complete application on or before 11:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time, May 14, 2025. Projects selected for further consideration will be notified in June 2025. Initial selections will undergo a thorough evaluation. Final project selections will be determined by the buyer and are targeted for late summer 2025. 

You can view a PDF of the questions here, but to respond and submit documentation please use this link. Please note that for certain project and protocol types, documentation requests extend beyond standard registry protocol requirements. Only complete submissions will be eligible for consideration. Upon initial selection, Carbon Direct will initiate communications with project proponents to discuss any further documentation required. For submission-related inquiries, please contact rfps@carbon-direct.com.

Thank you for your interest!