The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has launched the first guide to high-quality carbon offsets. The effort is intended to help businesses and consumers decide between the variety of offsets now on the market.

CarbonOffsetList.org will identify carbon offset projects that meet the EDF's criteria for high quality carbon offsets.

Projects have to undergo a thorough review to evaluate the environmental integrity of the project and determine whether it can show measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

"Companies increasingly see the value in incorporating carbon offsets into their overall climate action strategies, but until now, buyers had to do their own homework to determine which projects were most credible," said Thomas Murray, the managing director of corporate partnerships for Environmental Defense Fund. "CarbonOffsetList.org eliminates the guesswork and offers buyers direct access to a list of thoroughly vetted projects that meet Environmental Defense Fund's high-quality criteria."

The EDF developed the list in response to numerous requests from companies unsure of their carbon offset options. It's meant to guide individuals and businesses that want to offset their emissions. So far, CarbonOffsetList.org lists 11 emissions reduction projects. More than 70 projects that have been submitted.

Image — EDF