Introduction
As the global push towards net-zero emissions accelerates, carbon credits and carbon offsets have become powerful tools for climate action and sustainable business. A carbon credit represents one tonne of carbon dioxide (or equivalent greenhouse gas) reduced or removed from the atmosphere, which can be traded or sold in compliance or voluntary markets. Carbon offsets allow businesses and individuals to compensate for their emissions by supporting certified climate projects such as reforestation, renewable energy, or energy efficiency initiatives.
This Carbon Credits and Offsets course provides a deep dive into how carbon credits are generated, verified, valued, and monetised. Participants will explore the full project lifecycle — from design and certification to sale in global markets — as well as the role of offsets in corporate climate strategies, sustainable development, and environmental policy. Practical exercises, case studies, and real market insights will equip participants to develop or invest in high-quality carbon projects that deliver both environmental and financial value.
Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Participation.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the concept, function, and standards of carbon credits.
- Differentiate between compliance and voluntary carbon markets.
- Develop and certify carbon offset projects.
- Calculate the value of carbon credits in different market settings.
- Integrate offsets into corporate climate strategies.
- Monetise carbon reductions through global markets.
Duration
5 days
Who Should Attend
This course is ideal for:
- Climate Change and Environmental Experts
- Sustainability Managers and Corporate ESG Teams
- Project Developers in Forestry, Agriculture, and Renewable Energy
- NGO and Development Practitioners
- Government Policy Makers in Environment and Energy
- Investors and Financial Institutions in Green Projects
- Researchers and Academics in Carbon Markets
Course Outline
Day 1: Fundamentals of Carbon Credits and Offsets
- Climate change and the role of carbon markets.
- Definitions: carbon credit vs. carbon offset.
- The science of measuring greenhouse gas reductions.
- Compliance vs. voluntary markets – key differences.
- International frameworks: Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, Article 6.
Day 2: Carbon Credit Standards and Project Types
- Certification bodies: Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), Gold Standard, Plan Vivo, CDM.
- Types of projects: forestry & reforestation, renewable energy, methane capture, blue carbon, energy efficiency.
- Additionality and permanence in carbon projects.
- Baseline setting and leakage considerations.
- Co-benefits: biodiversity conservation, social and economic impacts.
Day 3: Project Development and Verification
- Steps to developing a carbon project.
- Methodologies for calculating emission reductions.
- Monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV).
- Validation and third-party verification processes.
- Risk management and ensuring project integrity.
- Case studies of African and global carbon offset projects.
Day 4: Market Dynamics and Valuation of Carbon Credits
- Factors influencing carbon credit prices.
- Trends in voluntary carbon market prices.
- Corporate demand for offsets and net-zero targets.
- Auctioning and over-the-counter (OTC) trading.
- Digital trading platforms and blockchain in carbon markets.
- Hedging and long-term contracting for price stability.
Day 5: Strategic Use and Future of Carbon Credits
- Integrating carbon credits into corporate sustainability strategies.
- Communicating climate commitments to stakeholders.
- Linking carbon finance to SDGs and ESG performance.
- The future of carbon credits under global climate agreements.
- Group exercise: Design a carbon credit project and value proposition.
- Course review, Q&A, and certification.
General Notes
- The instructor led trainings are delivered using a blended learning approach and comprises of presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web-based tutorials and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professional and trainers in these fields.
- The participants should be reasonably proficient in English as all facilitation and course materials will be offered in English.
- Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a certificate.
- The training will be held at Kincaid Training Centre. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments and lunch.
- All participants will additionally cater for their, travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
- Accommodation and airport pickup are arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Training coordinator at Email: training@kincaiddevelopmentcenter.org or Tel: +254 724592901
- This training can also be customized to suit the needs of your institution upon request. You can have it delivered in our Kincaid Training Centre or at a convenient location.
For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254 724592901 or send mail to training@kincaiddevelopmentcenter.org.
Payments are due upon registration. Payment should be sent to our Bank account before commencement of training and proof of payment sent to training@kincaiddevelopmentcenter.org.