Frequently asked questions

Ecommit wants to make sustainable business practices accessible to every company. To support this, we offer carbon credits, which we believe are the ideal solution for reducing a company’s carbon footprint. We conduct in-depth research on sustainability projects both locally and internationally—projects that either remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or help prevent further emissions. We carefully select ambitious and reliable initiatives and purchase carbon credits from them. This allows you to buy the amount of carbon credits that best suits your company’s needs.

Ecommit partners with sustainability projects both locally and internationally that focus on carbon offsetting. Before we invest in a project, we follow a structured process. First, we assess whether the project’s approach is effective in reducing or removing carbon dioxide. Next, we evaluate its reliability by examining the organization behind the project, the country it operates in, relevant certifications, quality standards, and many other criteria. Whenever possible, we visit the project site to observe its operations and meet the people involved.

Once a project meets all our criteria, we conduct a legal review and purchase a significant number of carbon credits. These carbon credits are then made available to businesses in any desired quantity. When your company purchases credits from us, you have the option to be listed on the ecommit website. On your dedicated page, you can showcase your contribution to specific projects to customers, suppliers, accountants, and others in your network.

When you purchase a carbon credit through ecommit, you are buying the assurance that everything is accurate and verifiable. All our projects and carbon credits adhere to strict standards, as does the documentation we provide to our clients. To ensure full transparency, we record every step of the process - from procurement to sale - on a blockchain.

This means that each transaction is securely stored as a block within a vast network of computers. Every new block contains information linking it to the previous one, creating an unbroken chain of data. Because this blockchain is permanent and tamper-proof, we can guarantee the reliability and transparency of our service.

As ecommit customer, you can be confident that your carbon offsetting is fully verified and transparent. All our projects and carbon credits adhere to strict standards, along with the necessary documentation we provide for you. You will receive a registered carbon credit along with the documentation required for your accounting and for communicating your sustainability efforts to customers and suppliers. Every step of the process, from procurement to sale, is securely recorded on a blockchain. Through your personal dashboard, you can track your current carbon offsetting status, access invoices, and download your certificates.

At ecommit, you can choose a carbon offsetting approach that aligns with your business. You have the flexibility to offset specific emissions, such as those from your vehicle fleet, factory, business operations, or events. Alternatively, you can determine your contribution based on a set budget or the exact amount of carbon dioxide you wish to offset. Another option is to pass on a small surcharge to your customers for each product or service sold, allowing them to contribute to carbon offsetting as well.

No, ecommit’s services are exclusively for businesses. We only offer carbon credits to companies, not to individual consumers.

If you want to make your business more sustainable but do not yet have a clear picture of your emissions, you can start with one of our starter packages. This allows you to offset a fixed amount of carbon dioxide for an entire year. Through your personal dashboard, you can track your company’s carbon offsetting progress and stay informed about the latest laws and regulations. Each year, we automatically renew your package to ensure that your sustainability claims remain accurate and credible for customers and suppliers. During your subscription, you can always purchase additional carbon credits or upgrade to a customized offsetting package tailored specifically to your business needs.

Sustainable business, or corporate social responsibility, revolves around balancing people, planet, and profit. By integrating social responsibility into your policies, your company takes responsibility. Conscious use of natural resources contributes to a cleaner planet for future generations, benefiting your business as well. Customers and employees appreciate companies that take a stand and create positive impacts.

You can gradually make your business more sustainable by setting clear goals, such as reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste, or using sustainable materials. Embed sustainability in your company culture. Encourage employees to be mindful of water, electricity, food, and waste, involving them in developing sustainable initiatives. Work with sustainable partners, setting criteria like maximum carbon emissions, use of renewable energy, or fair labor conditions.

A sustainable business prioritizes people and the environment alongside profit. When sustainability is integral to corporate policy, employees feel engaged and proud. Customers also favor brands that take a stand and create positive impacts. By consciously using natural resources, a sustainable business contributes to a cleaner planet for future generations.

You can make your business more sustainable by reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste, switching to green energy sources, or using sustainable materials. Essentially, you can consider a more sustainable approach for every activity and process in your organization, starting small and expanding over time.

Sustainability projects, or climate protection projects, either remove carbon from the air or prevent additional carbon emissions. This includes agriculture, agroforestry, or reforestation. Projects must meet stringent criteria, validated and verified by independent organizations according to internationally recognized standards. Only after verification can carbon credits be issued by the project organization. Projects are monitored during their duration to ensure goals are met and carbon absorption occurs as planned.

Ecommit conducts thorough research before investing in sustainability projects. Our procurement team assesses the effectiveness of each project's carbon offsetting approach and evaluates reliability. We consider factors such as project location, organization credibility, certifications, and numerous other criteria. Whenever possible, we visit projects to observe operations and meet stakeholders. Once all criteria are met, we finalize legal matters and buy a large quantity of carbon credits.

The sustainability transition, also known as the energy transition, involves shifting from fossil fuels to sustainable and renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal energy. This transition is crucial for reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change, ensuring a sustainable environment for current and future generations. It aims to protect our planet and secure livability for ourselves and future generations alike.

CO2 is a greenhouse gas, like methane and nitrous oxide. All greenhouse gases can be converted to CO2 equivalents. This conversion is called CO2-equivalent. For instance, 1 kilogram of methane is equivalent to 28 kilograms of CO2. By converting all greenhouse gases of an organization to CO2 equivalents, you obtain a total carbon footprint. This allows comparisons of sustainability performance between companies.

When you financially support a project that removes carbon from the air or reduces carbon emissions, you receive a carbon credit. One carbon credit equals one tonne (1,000 kg) of removed carbon.

Yes, there are various types of sustainability projects across different countries. These projects employ different methods to offset carbon emissions. Some projects focus on agriculture, agroforestry, or reforestation to compensate for CO2. There are also blue ocean projects that utilize opportunities from seas and oceans. Biochar projects involve converting organic waste materials into biochar, a substance that can sequester carbon. Direct Air Capture projects use machines to remove carbon from the air. REDD+ projects aim to prevent deforestation and forest degradation.

When your company purchases a carbon credit from ecommit, we register the carbon credit under your company's name. When you decide to announce to the public that you have offset carbon emissions, we record that the carbon credit has been used. This process is called retirement. It means the carbon credit becomes inactive and cannot be used again. By officially registering carbon credits in this manner, ecommit ensures that the offset is always attributed to the purchasing company, and that a carbon credit cannot be resold.

When you contribute to a sustainability project, you need to trust that everything is done correctly. Certification ensures this. Certification involves thorough monitoring of the project from its initial planning stages through to implementation. For instance, in a reforestation project, details such as tree species, trunk diameter, growth process, and total CO2 capture, also known as carbon capture or carbon dioxide removal (CDR), are carefully documented. If everything complies with the rules, the project can issue valid certificates.

No. Offset is always realized in solid sustainability projects. There, a so-called holding pool ensures that offsetting is guaranteed. The holding pool contains carbon credits that are deliberately set aside each year to cover the shortfall in carbon uptake in the event of a fire, but also in the event of drought or insufficient carbon storage, for example. The size of this holding pool is included in the project plan.

The European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS) is called the mandatory carbon market. It targets 15,000 European companies and 1,500 airlines responsible for 45% of the EU's total carbon emissions. These companies must compulsorily buy emission allowances. For every tonne of carbon emissions, they must surrender one allowance. Each year the number of allowances is reduced, forcing the companies to produce more sustainably. The voluntary carbon market is for companies not covered by the EU ETS. They buy carbon credits from projects that take carbon out of the air or ensure that no carbon enters the air.

Currently, a carbon credit at ecommit costs €85,- excluding VAT. One carbon credit corresponds to one tonne (1,000 kg) of removed or prevented carbon. The price per tonne of CO2 is expected to increase in the future.

When you financially support a project that removes carbon from the atmosphere, you receive a carbon credit. One carbon credit equals one tonne of removed or prevented carbon. At ecommit, you can purchase your carbon credits directly online. In the purchasing module, you fill in your details and choose the compensation method that suits your company. Prefer some guidance? Helping you decide is our specialty!

Naturally, you want assurance that the project you are contributing to actually exists and effectively offsets carbon. You also want to ensure that the offsetting you are paying for is not sold to other companies. Ecommit provides you with that guarantee. We only collaborate with certified sustainability projects and utilize registered carbon credits. Our entire procurement to sales process is publicly traceable on the blockchain.

At ecommit, you can purchase your carbon credits immediately online. In the purchasing module, you enter your details and choose the offsetting method that fits your company. Once you place your order, your carbon credits will be ready for you.

You can purchase carbon credits through ecommit, the specialist in carbon offsetting. Buying carbon credits supports crucial sustainability projects that remove carbon from the air. Ecommit collaborates with projects both in the Netherlands and internationally.

Absolutely. Carbon offsetting always makes a difference, even if done retroactively. When you purchase carbon credits, you contribute to sustainability projects that remove carbon from the air or reduce carbon emissions.

Your company’s carbon emissions can be avoided, reduced, and/or offset. Avoiding and reducing emissions involves changing, limiting, or stopping certain activities altogether. Offsetting, on the other hand, means contributing financially to sustainability projects that remove the carbon emissions you cannot eliminate from the atmosphere, either partially or entirely.

A company’s carbon emissions depend on a wide range of factors, including employees, transportation methods, and business premises. The exact emissions vary for every business. On average, a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Europe emits 67 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

Your business can purchase carbon credits from sustainability projects. These projects are an effective solution to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or prevent it from being released in the first place. Plants, trees, and oceans can naturally store carbon dioxide, while advanced technologies can extract it directly from the air or water. By contributing financially, you help make these sustainability projects possible and offset (part of) your carbon emissions.

To calculate your company’s carbon emissions, you need to identify the activities and resources within your business that contribute to emissions. Key factors include energy consumption, employees, transportation, business premises, and data storage. This page provides average emissions figures for each of these categories. To make a general estimate of your company’s carbon footprint, simply add up the emissions from all these factors.

Offsetting (part of) your carbon emissions is not the only step towards sustainability. However, it is an action you can implement quickly. Measures to permanently reduce your company’s emissions often take more time to implement, but they are crucial. Consider sustainability actions such as switching to renewable energy sources, adopting electric vehicles, improving insulation, and reducing waste. You can also optimize business processes, upgrade equipment, and implement recycling programs. The more you manage to reduce your emissions, the less you will need to rely on offsetting.

CDR stands for carbon dioxide removal. Other terms used to describe this process include carbon offsetting, carbon capture (and storage), and CO2 capture. These terms refer to the same concept: the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere after it has been emitted.

You can mitigate, reduce, and/or offset the carbon emissions of your company. Mitigation and reduction involve choosing not to perform certain activities in your business, altering them, or limiting them. These changes require adjustments, investments, and time. Compensating involves paying to remove (part of) the carbon you have emitted from the atmosphere. This action can be initiated promptly.

Ecommit can advise your company on any questions regarding carbon emissions. We only sell carbon credits from certified and registered projects. This ensures that the project is constantly monitored and that it effectively contributes to carbon offsetting. Ecommit neutralizes the carbon credits and provides your company with all necessary documents for accounting and reporting. Our entire process from purchase to sale is publicly traceable on the blockchain.

Carbon offsetting involves removing CO2, or carbon dioxide, from the air that you (currently) cannot avoid or reduce. Sustainability projects aim to either capture carbon from the air or reduce the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere.

Carbon offsetting is absolutely meaningful. In fact, it is essential for achieving the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. Research* indicates that solely avoiding and reducing carbon emissions will only achieve about fifty percent of the necessary reduction level. Carbon offsetting is seen as the only way to bridge that gap.
* Source: The State of Carbon Dioxide Removal (2023)

Every person, every company emits carbon. Driving cars, using electricity, sending emails - almost all our actions result in emissions. Scientists have determined that carbon levels in the atmosphere are increasing, leading to global warming. To mitigate this warming, many initiatives have been developed to remove carbon from the air. These include projects that harness the potential of plants, trees, and oceans to store carbon. There are also machines designed to capture carbon directly from the atmosphere. However, these projects require investment to operate. Issuing carbon credits is a way to finance these initiatives.

Ecommit collaborates with sustainability projects both domestically and internationally that offset carbon. Before investing in any project, thorough research is conducted. The project must be certified, and its carbon credits registered. Subsequently, ecommit offers carbon credits in any desired quantity. Your company can offset carbon through a fixed amount, a specific quantity of carbon, or via your product or service.

A sustainability project removes carbon from the air. Nature provides various opportunities for this, including plants, trees, and oceans storing carbon. There are also technological solutions, such as machines that capture carbon from the air or water. To implement these groundbreaking initiatives, funding is required. Ecommit invests in diverse sustainability projects carefully selected based on rigorous criteria. Your company can purchase carbon credits from one of these projects. This way, you offset carbon emissions and promote sustainability within your business.

Reducing or even preventing emissions is the best course of action. However, this is not something that can be achieved overnight. Your company needs to explore feasible alternatives, which involves significant investments and adjustments to business processes. To achieve climate goals, Oxford University advocates for companies to start offsetting emissions now. By reducing emissions, the reliance on offsetting can be gradually reduced in the future. However, there will always be residual emissions, necessitating ongoing carbon offsetting efforts.

Although carbon offsetting and carbon removal are often used interchangeably, the terms do not mean exactly the same. Carbon removal involves removing carbon that is in the atmosphere. There is also carbon reduction, which involves ensuring that less carbon is released into the air. Carbon offsetting means taking emitted carbon out of the air elsewhere (removal) or emitting less carbon elsewhere (reduction). Other terms often used are: CDR or carbon dioxide removal, and carbon capture.

At present, a carbon credit from ecommit costs € 85 excluding VAT. Each carbon credit represents one tonne (1,000 kilograms) of removed or avoided carbon emissions. The price per tonne of carbon is expected to increase in the future.

One carbon credit represents one tonne (1,000 kg) of carbon emissions that have been removed or prevented. Currently, the price for a carbon credit at ecommit is € 85 excluding VAT. The cost per tonne of carbon is expected to rise in the future.

Ecommit uses a single price for a carbon credit. This price is determined by combining various projects. Some projects are more expensive, while others are more affordable. This is influenced by the country where the project is located and the type of project. For example, projects in the Netherlands are often more expensive than those in other countries due to land and labor costs. Projects that remove carbon from the air, such as through agriculture or reforestation, tend to be cheaper than projects that use technology to reduce carbon emissions. To ensure that the price remains the same for you, we create a mix of different projects based on the amount of carbon credits you purchase.

No, there are not. At ecommit, a carbon credit currently costs € 85 excluding VAT. We can provide information about current and upcoming legislation and assist with any questions regarding your sustainability plan. We do not charge any fees for these services. Additionally, we ensure that the carbon credits you purchase are retired and that they can be directly incorporated into your accounting. You will have access to your own dashboard where you can view your carbon offsetting, invoices, and certificates. These services are also offered free of charge.

Every company generates carbon emissions. The amount of emissions varies depending on a range of factors. For example, employees, vehicles, and office spaces all contribute to the carbon emissions of a company. Therefore, the exact emissions differ from one company to another and depending on the specific situation. On average, a small or medium-sized enterprise in Europe emits 67 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

When your company purchases a carbon credit from ecommit, we register the credit in your company's name. Once you want to publicly announce that you have offset your carbon emissions, we record that the carbon credit has been used. This process is known as retiring. When a carbon credit is retired, the offset is attributed to the company that purchased the credit. The carbon credit can no longer be resold.

A sustainability project is designed to either remove carbon from the atmosphere or to prevent carbon from entering the air. Nature offers various solutions for this, such as plants, trees, and oceans that can capture and store carbon. There are also technological innovations, like machines that extract carbon from the air or water.

Before investing in a sustainability project, we conduct thorough research. First, we evaluate whether the project’s approach is effective for reducing and/or removing carbon. Next, we assess its reliability by examining factors such as the organization behind the project, the country it operates in, existing certifications, and other key criteria. Whenever possible, we visit the project site to observe their methods and meet the people involved. Only after all criteria are met do we finalize the legal details and buy a large quantity of carbon credits.

There are multiple ways to capture carbon from the atmosphere, and the most effective methods depend on local conditions like land area, soil quality, climate, regulations, and available technology. In the Netherlands, natural methods for carbon capture and storage include agroforestry (combining agriculture and forestry), grasslands, and marine-based solutions like seaweed farming, oysters, and seabed management (collectively referred to as “blue ocean” projects). Additionally, technologies like Direct Air Capture (machines that extract carbon directly from the air) are viable here.

Sustainability projects come in various forms:

Agriculture and forestry: These use farmland, agroforestry, or reforestation to store carbon.
Blue ocean initiatives: These leverage the potential of oceans and seas to capture carbon.
Biochar projects: These convert organic waste into biochar, a substance capable of storing carbon.
Direct Air Capture projects: These use machines to extract carbon directly from the air.
REDD+ projects: These focus on preventing deforestation and forest degradation.

There are both natural and technological methods to remove carbon. Examples of natural ways include: restoration of wetlands and peatlands; deployment of cropland, grassland and agroforestry; (re)forestation and blue carbon management. Technological ways include: producing biochar and bio-oil; increasing ocean alkalinity; enhanced rock wethering; BECCS (Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage); Direct Ocean Capture and Direct Air Capture and storage.

The sustainability transition - also known as the energy transition - is the shift from fossil fuels to sustainable, renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal energy. This transition is crucial for reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. It’s not only about protecting the planet but also ensuring a livable environment for current and future generations.

CSRD stands for Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. This European regulation requires companies to report on their sustainability performance and business operations.

The CSRD Directive, or Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, is a European regulation that requires companies to report on their sustainability performance and business operations. Even if your company is not yet required to comply with the CSRD, it is a good idea to start preparing now. Companies that are required to report must include data on their partners within the value chain. So, you may already encounter these requirements in your collaborations with suppliers and customers.

Starting in 2025, the CSRD reporting obligation applies to publicly listed and large companies, which will need to report on 2024. Following that, large enterprises (reporting on 2025), publicly listed small and medium-sized enterprises (reporting on 2026), and non-EU companies with a certain EU revenue (reporting on 2028) will also be required to report. Since reporting companies must also include data about their partners in the value chain, you may already need to consider these requirements in your partnerships. It is wise to start gathering your sustainability data so you can meet information requests from your value chain partners.

If your sustainability reporting is incomplete, submitted late, or not submitted at all, you could face a fine. Additionally, failing to report on sustainability could negatively affect your reputation. Customers, partners, and investors may lose trust in your business.

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. These three aspects reflect your company’s sustainability and ethical standards. By continually evaluating your ecological footprint (environmental), relationships with employees, customers, and suppliers (social), and your business ethics, transparency, and governance structure (governance), you can improve your practices.
The CSRD, or Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, is a regulation that mandates companies to report on their sustainability performance and business operations.

While ESG provides the themes on which you can assess your sustainability progress, the CSRD focuses on the obligation to report on your sustainability efforts.

A sustainability report focuses on your company’s impact on society. In the report, you describe your company’s sustainability goals and the efforts you are making to achieve them. A sustainability report must be submitted annually. The goal of the report is to give you insight into your impact, allowing you to become more sustainable across all ESG areas.

For publicly listed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the CSRD will apply starting January 1, 2026. It is still uncertain whether and when the CSRD will apply to non-publicly listed SMEs. The European Union is currently considering whether a 'lighter' version of the CSRD could be developed for these companies, one that would be easier to implement.

Even if your company is not yet required to report, you might still be impacted by the CSRD through your collaborations. Reporting companies must also include data about their partners in the value chain.

The CSRD requires that you provide insight into your sustainability strategy, risks, and impacts. To start preparing for the CSRD, you can follow these steps:

- Identify your stakeholders. Determine which stakeholders are most relevant to your business and have the most impact on your activities.

- Inventory the sustainability issues relevant to your business. Identify which issues are most important, and assess their potential impacts, risks, and opportunities.

- Develop a sustainability strategy. Set clear, measurable goals for areas such as carbon dioxide emissions, energy consumption, employee well-being, and good governance.

- Collect data on key business activities. Start with data on your direct emissions (Scope 1) and indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy (Scope 2). Afterward, you can gather data on Scope 3 emissions.

- Test your reporting systems. Gradually integrate your sustainability efforts into your operations and experiment with which CSRD reporting system works best for your reporting processes.