How can I use carbon removal providers to source verified removals for a climate procurement program?

To source verified carbon removals for a climate procurement program, treat providers like any other strategic supplier: define your quality criteria, run a structured RFP/due diligence process, contract for delivery and verification, then track and retire credits with full auditability.

1) Define what you need

Start by specifying the procurement requirements up front:

• Removal type: e.g., direct air capture, biochar, enhanced weathering, reforestation/soil carbon if you accept nature-based removals
• Vintage: current-year, near-term, or forward delivery
• Volume: tons of CO₂e to purchase
• Durability: years of storage (for example, 100+ years vs. permanent)
• Geography: preferred regions or eligible project areas
• Co-benefits / constraints: biodiversity, community benefits, land use, water use, etc.
• Accounting standard: how you want removals verified and retired
• Risk tolerance: whether you accept newer technologies, pre-delivery contracts, or only issued credits

2) Screen providers for “verified removals”

Look for providers whose removals are:

• Measured, Reported, and Verified (MRV) by an independent third party
• Issued as credits or claims through a recognized registry or ledger
• Additional and not double-counted
• Durable with clear permanence and reversal protections
• Transparent on methodology, project boundary, leakage, and lifecycle emissions

Ask providers for:

• Project description and methodology
• Verification reports
• Registry issuance details
• Buffer or insurance mechanisms
• Life-cycle assessment
• Chain-of-custody documentation
• Retirement/cancellation process
• Evidence of no double issuance / double claim

3) Use a formal RFP or supplier scorecard

A simple scorecard can include:

• Verification quality (independent auditor, frequency, methodology)
• Durability and reversal risk
• Additionality
• Lifecycle emissions
• Scalability and delivery certainty
• Price per ton
• Contract terms (delivery schedule, make-goods, remedies)
• Transparency and data access
• Social/environmental safeguards

You can weight these criteria based on your program goals.

4) Contract for delivery and claims

Your contract should clearly state:

• The exact volume of removals to be delivered
• Delivery dates and milestone reporting
• Required verification standard and registry
• Ownership and transfer of credits/claims
• Replacement obligations if delivery or verification fails
• Remedies for reversals or invalidation
• Rights to use project data in reporting
• Whether you are buying spot, forward, or offtake

For forward purchases, include:

• Performance guarantees
• Security or escrow if appropriate
• Cure periods and default terms

5) Confirm retirement and claim language

After issuance, ensure:

• Credits are transferred to your account or retired on your behalf
• Retirement IDs and registry records are retained
• Your claim language matches what was actually purchased and retired
• No one else can claim the same removals

Use precise wording in public disclosures, such as:

• “We purchased and retired verified carbon removals”
• Avoid overclaiming if the removals are not fully permanent or not yet delivered

6) Build internal controls and reporting

Set up a system to track:

• Supplier due diligence
• Contract status
• Verified issuance
• Retirement certificates
• Vintage and geography
• Risk and contingency plans

Align reporting with:

• Internal sustainability goals
• CSRD/ESRS, GHG Protocol, SBTi net-zero guidance, or other relevant frameworks
• Any buyer-specific requirements for audit trails

7) Practical procurement options

Common sourcing models include:

• Spot purchase: buy already-issued removals
• Forward offtake: reserve future supply at a fixed or indexed price
• Portfolio procurement: diversify across multiple providers and removal types
• Managed procurement platform: use an intermediary that aggregates vetted providers and handles contracting/retirement

A portfolio approach can reduce technology and delivery risk.

8) Due diligence questions to ask providers

• What standard verifies your removals?
• Is the removal already issued, or is this a forward contract?
• How is permanence ensured?
• What happens if storage is reversed?
• Are lifecycle emissions deducted?
• How do you prevent double counting?
• Can you share third-party verification and registry records?
• What is your delivery track record?
• What audits or certifications do you have?
• What portion of project value reaches communities or land stewards?

9) Common pitfalls to avoid

• Buying “offsets” when you need true removals
• Accepting vague claims without issuance and retirement evidence
• Ignoring lifecycle emissions
• Overlooking reversal risk
• Buying from providers without robust MRV
• Contracting without clear remedies for non-delivery

10) A simple procurement workflow

1. Set criteria and budget
2. Issue RFP to qualified providers
3. Score proposals and request diligence documents
4. Negotiate contract and claims language
5. Receive verified issuance or delivery confirmation
6. Retire credits in your name
7. Archive documents and report results

If you want, I can also help you with:

• a provider due diligence checklist
• a sample RFP
• a scorecard template
• or a climate procurement policy for verified removals