Social Carbon
Social Carbon is a UK-registered charity operating the SOCIALCARBON Standard (Nature³ v7.0), a digital certification platform for nature-based carbon, FLAG insetting, and biodiversity projects. It serves project developers, corporate buyers, smallholder communities, and conservation sponsors globally via its Portal, Registry, and 11 approved methodologies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersPalma, Brazil
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Social Carbon does
Social Carbon is a UK-registered charity headquartered in London that operates the SOCIALCARBON Standard, a voluntary certification framework for nature-based climate and biodiversity projects. Founded in 2000 as the first voluntary carbon standard developed in the Global South (with roots in the Bananal Island Carbon Sequestration Project in Brazil), the organization has evolved from a single-issue carbon standard into a multi-asset nature markets infrastructure platform. Its core product is the SOCIALCARBON Standard v7.0, branded Nature³, which integrates carbon offsetting, Scope 3 / FLAG-aligned insetting, and nature stewardship under one modular framework. The standard is supported by 11 approved methodologies (covering rice cultivation, conservation areas, spekboom regeneration, regenerative land management, biodiversity, harmful algae bloom treatment, mangrove restoration, afforestation/reforestation/revegetation, peatland restoration, and smallholder avoided deforestation), plus eight tools and modules for additionality assessment, baseline reassessment, eddy covariance flux monitoring, livelihood vulnerability indexing, and leakage management.
Underpinning the standard is a digital platform comprising the SOCIALCARBON Portal (a project developer workspace that digitizes all methodologies and auto-generates Project Description Documents) and the Social Carbon Registry (a public-facing ledger for project records and credit issuance, transfer, retirement, and cancellation). Social Carbon generates revenue through certification and licensing fees (project registration, validation, verification, and issuance under a private fee schedule), transaction fees on environmental credit issuance (carbon, insetting, and Nature Stewardship Credits), and methodology development and approval fees. Distribution runs through a self-serve portal, an accredited network of Validation/Verification Bodies and Approved Service Providers, and the ICROA network of accredited organizations. The customer base spans carbon project developers, corporate buyers with Scope 3 / FLAG supply chain goals, smallholder farming communities, conservation project sponsors, and nature-based solutions investors across Europe, Latin America, North America, and Africa. The organization holds ICROA full endorsement (May 2025) and CORSIA pilot phase approval, with ICVCM recognition pending.
Social Carbon firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Social Carbon
- Legal name
- Social Carbon Ltd
- Website
- https://socialcarbon.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Social Carbon is a UK-registered charity operating the SOCIALCARBON Standard (Nature³ v7.0), a digital certification platform for nature-based carbon, FLAG insetting, and biodiversity projects. It serves project developers, corporate buyers, smallholder communities, and conservation sponsors globally via its Portal, Registry, and 11 approved methodologies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Social Carbon industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Voluntary Carbon Market Certification Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Market Standards & Methodology Infrastructure (Standards bodies, methodologies, program rule systems) (EUABAAAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Avoided Conversion & Ecosystem Protection (REDD+, Blue Carbon Conservation) (EUABABAC), Data Assurance, Audit & Attestation (ISAE 3000/3410, SOC, Chain-of-Custody) (EUABACAJ), Carbon Market Data, Indexing & Price Reporting (Benchmarks, indices, market data feeds) (EUABAAAD)
Keywords
Where Social Carbon is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Palma
- HQ country
- Brazil
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Social Carbon business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Certification and Standard Licensing: Social Carbon generates revenue through certification fees for project validation, verification, and issuance under the SOCIALCARBON Standard. The organization operates a Fee Schedule covering project registration, issuance, and other standard-related services.
- Environmental Credit Issuance: Revenue generated through the issuance of environmental credits including carbon credits, insetting credits, and Nature Stewardship Credits (NSCs). Projects pay fees for credit issuance and registry services.
- Digital Platform Services: The SOCIALCARBON Portal provides streamlined certification services for project developers. The platform digitizes methodologies and project documentation, potentially with tiered service levels.
- Methodology Development and Approval: Fees associated with the methodology approval process, including assessment reports and expert applications. Service providers and VVBs pay application and agreement fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Project Registration and Issuance Fees |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Social Carbon product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Social Carbon develops and operates the SOCIALCARBON Standard (Nature³ v7.0), an integrated certification framework for nature-based climate projects covering carbon offsetting, insetting, and Nature Stewardship. The organization provides the SOCIALCARBON Portal and Social Carbon Registry digital platforms that enable project developers to self-register, auto-generate Project Description Documents, and track the issuance, transfer, retirement, and cancellation of environmental credits. It generates revenue through certification and standard licensing fees, credit issuance transactions, and methodology approval services.
Product overview
Social Carbon is an infrastructure platform for nature markets offering trust, speed, and flexibility to nature-based solutions. The portfolio is architected around the SOCIALCARBON Standard v7.0 (Nature³) as the core certification framework, supported by two digital platforms: the SOCIALCARBON Portal (a project developer workflow and PDD automation tool) and the Social Carbon Registry (a public-facing project and credit tracking platform). These are complemented by a suite of eleven approved methodologies (SCM0001–SCM0011 covering rice cultivation, conservation areas, spekboom, regenerative land management, biodiversity, algae blooms, mangroves, ARR, peatland restoration, and smallholder avoided deforestation), multiple supporting tools and modules (SCT0001–SCT0003 for additionality and baseline tools, SCD0001–SCD0005 for calibration, leakage, eddy covariance, livelihood vulnerability, and conservation leakage management), the Nature Stewardship Framework (NSF) for biodiversity and community outcomes, the Insetting Framework for supply-chain FLAG projects, and Nature Stewardship Credits (NSCs) as a new holistic environmental asset. Feasibility Assessment Tools and a comprehensive documentation library of templates and procedures round out the offering.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Nature³: Next-generation standard integrating carbon offsetting, insetting, and nature stewardship under one framework.
- Nature Stewardship Credits (NSCs)
- SOCIALCARBON Portal
- SOCIALCARBON Registry
Products and services
- Nature³ (SOCIALCARBON Standard v7.0) The flagship certification standard (v7.0) integrating carbon offsetting, insetting, and nature stewardship under one unified framework. Designed for nature-based solutions, it embeds scientific rigour across climate, biodiversity, and community outcomes, and is interoperable across carbon, insetting, and biodiversity markets.
- SOCIALCARBON Portal A digital platform for project developers to manage certification workflows, upload project documents, and generate Project Description Documents (PDDs) automatically. Includes digitised methodologies, a VVB Dashboard, and a central repository for project data and documentation.
- Social Carbon Registry
- SOCIALCARBON Methodologies (SCM0001–SCM0011)
- Nature Stewardship Framework (NSF) A science-backed framework to measure, verify, and finance biodiversity and community outcomes across nature-based projects — independently or alongside carbon credits. Launched Version 1.0 in January 2026 following a public consultation process.
- SOCIALCARBON Insetting Framework An actionable framework providing guidance for Forest, Land, and Agriculture (FLAG) project types, fully aligned with the GHG Protocol Scope 3. Version 1.0 officially launched in May 2025 following public consultation.
- Nature Stewardship Credits (NSCs) A new environmental asset class introduced via a whitepaper (November 2024), designed to value holistic impacts from nature-based solutions. NSCs integrate a Biodiversity Index, Socio-Economic Index, and Governance Index (collectively the Nature Stewardship Index) to recognise the full spectrum of conservation, restoration, and sustainable land management benefits. Can be issued standalone, stacked with carbon projects, or used to quantify additional co-benefits.
- SOCIALCARBON Pre-Feasibility Service A suite of services launched in December 2025 to support carbon project developers worldwide with early-stage project planning and methodology guidance, responding to requests from the global network of project proponents.
Quantifiable outcome
- ~13,000 verified carbon credits issued under SOCIALCARBON v6.0 in first issuance
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Social Carbon
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Social Carbon technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Social Carbon partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ReSeed PBCcoreJoint development of the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI-SF) module, a composite index designed to quantify smallholder farmer vulnerability and enable equitable climate finance. ReSeed PBC brings expertise in smallholder engagement and data equity while Social Carbon provides the certification framework.
- ICROA (International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance)coreICROA provides full endorsement of the SOCIALCARBON Standard following evaluation against the ICROA Code of Best Practice. ICROA is a non-profit organization promoting high-quality carbon reduction and offsetting programs.
- Hyphen Global AGcoreCo-development of the Eddy Covariance Module for real-time continuous quantification of greenhouse gas fluxes. Hyphen Global AG contributed technical expertise to create a scientifically-recognized method for measuring net GHG fluxes between terrestrial surface and atmosphere.
- Natural StatecoreStrategic partnership to develop Nature Stewardship Credits (NSCs), a first-of-its-kind environmental asset combining biodiversity and social impact into a measurable credit system. The partnership aims to accelerate restoration and conservation efforts globally by creating a robust framework for valuing holistic nature-based impacts.
- Validation/Verification Bodies (VVBs)coreNetwork of accredited third-party VVBs that perform independent validation and verification of projects under the SOCIALCARBON Standard. VVBs must be registered and sign the VVB Agreement v2.0.
- Approved Service ProvidersminorApproved Service Providers support project developers with estimates, assessments, and implementation services under the SOCIALCARBON Standard. Governed by Approved Service Provider Requirements v1.0.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Social Carbon competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Sylvera: Independent carbon credit ratings and data provider covering Verra, Gold Standard, and other standards. Comparable as an ecosystem participant whose ratings directly influence buyer demand for Social Carbon credits.
- Natural State: Biodiversity and nature-based solutions technology partner; co-developed Nature Stewardship Credits with Social Carbon. Comparable as a strategic technology/measurement partner rather than a direct standard competitor.
- BeZero Carbon: Carbon credit ratings agency providing risk assessments of voluntary market credits. Comparable as an adjacent infrastructure provider whose ratings affect Social Carbon project developer and buyer decisions.
Direct peers
- Plan Vivo: Community-focused carbon standard rooted in smallholder and community-based land use projects. Directly comparable to Social Carbon's Global South origin, community livelihood orientation, and nature-based project focus.
- Verra: Operator of the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), the dominant voluntary carbon market standard and registry. Directly comparable as a standard-setting body, methodology developer, and registry operator for nature-based and other project types.
- Gold Standard: Global standard and certification body for carbon credits with strong SDG co-benefit framing. Directly comparable as an ICROA-endorsed voluntary standard competing for the same project developers, methodologies, and corporate buyers.
- Puro.earth: Carbon removal registry and standard for engineered and nature-based removal methodologies. Comparable as a methodology developer and registry platform issuing environmental credits to corporate buyers.
- ART (Architecture for REDD+ Transactions): Initiative providing a jurisdictional REDD+ framework and crediting standard. Comparable as a high-integrity, nature-based standard competing for forest and land-use carbon credit issuance.
- Climate Action Reserve: US-based carbon offset registry and standard for voluntary and compliance markets. Directly comparable as a methodology-driven standard body issuing credits across nature-based and other project categories.
Emerging players
- Isometric: Newer carbon registry and protocol platform focused on durable, high-integrity removal credits. Comparable as a tech-forward registry alternative targeting the same corporate buyer demand for credibility and transparency.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Social Carbon social profiles
Digital presenceSocial Carbon compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Social Carbon financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Social Carbon leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Social Carbon funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Social Carbon M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Social Carbon
What does Social Carbon do?
Social Carbon develops and operates the SOCIALCARBON Standard (Nature³ v7.0), an integrated certification framework for nature-based climate projects covering carbon offsetting, insetting, and Nature Stewardship. The organization provides the SOCIALCARBON Portal and Social Carbon Registry digital platforms that enable project developers to self-register, auto-generate Project Description Documents, and track the issuance, transfer, retirement, and cancellation of environmental credits. It generates revenue through certification and standard licensing fees, credit issuance transactions, and methodology approval services.
Is Social Carbon a public or private company?
Social Carbon is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Social Carbon founded?
Social Carbon was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Social Carbon based?
Social Carbon is headquartered in Palma, Brazil, in the Latin America region.
How does Social Carbon make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Certification and Standard Licensing is the primary driver. The others are environmental Credit Issuance, digital Platform Services and methodology Development and Approval.
Who are Social Carbon's main competitors?
Others on record are Sylvera, Natural State and BeZero Carbon. Direct peers are Plan Vivo, Verra, Gold Standard, Puro.earth, ART (Architecture for REDD+ Transactions) and Climate Action Reserve. Isometric is listed as an emerging player.
Does Social Carbon have an API?
No public API is recorded for Social Carbon.
What industry is Social Carbon in?
Social Carbon's product category is Voluntary Carbon Market Certification Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUABAAAH, Market Standards & Methodology Infrastructure (Standards bodies, methodologies, program rule systems), with a secondary code of EUABABAC, Avoided Conversion & Ecosystem Protection (REDD+, Blue Carbon Conservation). Its NAICS code is 541620 and its SIC code is 8731.