CSE's Voluntary Carbon Market Dashboard aims to enhance transparency and provide accessible data on carbon offset projects in India. As one of the largest sources of carbon credits globally, India plays a key role in these markets. The dashboard tracks projects listed under key global carbon crediting programmes, whether or not they have issued carbon credits. Currently, the dataset includes projects listed with the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), run by Verra, and the Gold Standard.

To understand the market and how it functions, download CSE's report - Discredited - on the voluntary carbon market in India.

The dataset sources information from the VCS and Gold Standard registries and is updated periodically. The latest update includes data as of January 15, 2025. To view the dataset, click here.

Data interpretation
The dashboard provides insights into India’s voluntary carbon market.

Carbon Credit: A carbon credit represents the reduction or removal of one metric ton of CO2 or its equivalent greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

Registry: A platform that tracks the issuance, transfer, and retirement of carbon credits, often maintained by carbon credit certification or standards bodies. Verra and Gold Standard are examples.

Users should consider the following:
1. Scope of Data – The dashboard currently includes only projects listed under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Gold Standard. It does not cover projects under other carbon crediting mechanisms.

2. Credit Issuance Status – Some listed projects may not yet have issued carbon credits. Their inclusion in the dataset does not imply verified credit generation.

3. Data Availability – The information is sourced from publicly available registries.
4. Update Frequency – While the dataset is periodically updated, there may be a lag between project listing, credit issuance, and data availability. Users should verify details with the original registries if needed.
5. Methodology Differences – Each carbon standard has its own rules for project approval, credit issuance, and verification. Comparisons between them should account for these variations.

Contact for Queries & Feedback
📩 Trishant Dev: trishant.dev@cseindia.org
📩 Avantika Goswami: avantika.goswami@cseindia.org