What Is Carbon Offsetting in the Indian Context?

Carbon offsetting allows Indian companies to compensate for their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by investing in environmental projects that remove or reduce carbon elsewhere, such as reforestation, renewable energy, or clean technology.

In India, the carbon offset landscape is evolving rapidly. As domestic policies and international climate goals converge, businesses must understand how carbon markets work, what legal frameworks apply, and how to participate responsibly.

If you're wondering how Indian companies can leverage carbon offsetting, this guide covers the current market trends, legal requirements, and practical pathways for compliance and voluntary climate action.

Why Carbon Offsetting Matters for Indian Businesses?

India's updated climate commitments under the Paris Agreement (updated NDCs) require deep decarbonization across sectors
Pressure from global investors and buyers to meet ESG and Scope 3 expectations
Emerging carbon trading mechanisms in India, including compliance markets and voluntary offset registries
Sector-specific demand, particularly from energy, cement, aviation, FMCG, IT, and heavy industry

Carbon offsets offer a strategic tool for companies that are unable to fully eliminate emissions in the short term but still want to demonstrate climate accountability.

India’s Evolving Carbon Market: An Overview

India is now developing a formal domestic carbon market that will include both compliance-based and voluntary offset mechanisms.

1. Compliance Carbon Market (CCM)

Led by: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power
Structure: Will include sectors and companies with mandated emission intensity targets
Objective: Help India achieve its net-zero target by 2070 and reduce emissions intensity of GDP
Current Status: In development, with rollout planned in phases through 2026–2027

Companies that exceed their sectoral emission limits can buy carbon credits from those who emit less, creating a domestic trading ecosystem.

2. Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) in India

While the compliance market is still forming, India is already a major supplier in the global voluntary carbon market, especially in:

Renewable energy (wind, solar, biomass)
Energy efficiency (LED distribution, building upgrades)
Cookstove and clean water projects
Agroforestry and soil carbon
Waste-to-energy initiatives

Indian developers often sell carbon credits to international buyers, but more Indian corporates are now buying verified offsets to meet their own ESG goals and prepare for future regulation.

Key Legal and Regulatory Developments

1. Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023

Introduced by the Ministry of Power
Empowers the Bureau of Energy Efficiency to regulate a national carbon credit registry
Focused on sectors with large emissions footprints such as steel, cement, power, and oil & gas
Credits will be known as Indian Carbon Credit Certificates (ICCCs)

2. Draft Framework for Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM), 2024

Aims to regulate quality and credibility of voluntary carbon credits in India
May include guidelines for project registration, verification, retirement, and disclosure
Expected to work in parallel with international standards like Verra (VCS) and Gold Standard

3. SEBI’s ESG Disclosures (BRSR Core)

New ESG reporting mandates for top 1000 listed companies
Includes emissions disclosures and net-zero targets
Encourages companies to report use of offsets, especially for Scope 3 emissions

How Indian Companies Can Use Carbon Offsets Strategically?

1. Calculate Your Carbon Footprint

Use recognized standards (GHG Protocol, ISO 14064) to measure Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Many Indian firms are now publishing GHG inventories in sustainability reports.

2. Reduce Emissions Internally

Implement energy efficiency, renewables, circular operations, and clean transport.

Offsets should be used only for residual emissions after reductions have been prioritized.

3. Choose High-Quality Offset Projects

Ensure the projects are:

Third-party verified (Verra, Gold Standard, ACR, etc.)
Located in India or relevant to your impact areas
Transparent and traceable, with public registry links
Aligned with SDGs, especially health, livelihoods, water, and energy

Indian buyers can also support community-led or biodiversity-focused projects for greater co-benefits.

4. Engage in the Indian Carbon Market

Monitor developments under the Indian compliance carbon market (CCM)
Prepare for trading of ICCCs once the registry is live
Participate in pilot projects by BEE or sector councils
Consider joining climate alliances such as the India CEO Climate Action Network, CII Climate Initiative, or RE100 India

5. Report and Disclose Transparently

Use global ESG frameworks to communicate carbon offset strategy:

GRI 305: Emissions and offset use
TCFD: Climate-related risks and transition plans
CDP: Use of verified credits and emission breakdown
BRSR Core (SEBI): India-specific ESG disclosures

Transparency is key to avoiding greenwashing, building credibility, and gaining investor trust.

Related: Avoiding Greenwashing in Carbon Offsetting

Notable Indian Companies Using Offsets

Infosys: Carbon neutral since 2020 using a mix of energy reductions and offsets
Tata Steel: Exploring green credits in supply chain emission reduction
JSW Energy: Investing in renewable energy carbon projects
Mahindra Group: Supports carbon-neutral manufacturing and offsets Scope 3
Wipro: Engaged in voluntary carbon market and TCFD reporting

These companies showcase how carbon offsets can be embedded in long-term sustainability planning.

Final Thoughts

Carbon offsetting in India is entering a new era. As the country builds its compliance carbon market and enhances ESG regulations, Indian businesses must prepare for accountability and act with intention.

When offsets are:

Measured
Verified
Transparent
Strategically aligned

They can help Indian companies become global climate leaders while supporting domestic low-carbon development.

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