Carbon Registry-India (CR-I)

What Carbon Registry-India (CR-I) does

Carbon Registry-India (CR-I) is India's first dedicated carbon registry, operated by the Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF), a non-profit registered society established in January 2015. Launched on September 16, 2021, CR-I provides a digital platform at carbonregistry.nccf.in for the listing, registration, third-party validation and verification, issuance of Marketable Carbon Units (MCUs), and tracking of carbon offset credits. The registry serves Independent Project Proponents (IPPs), Independent Methodology Developers (IMDs), Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs), and carbon credit buyers across Indian and global stakeholders, with projects aligned to SDG 13 (Climate Action) plus a minimum of three additional SDGs. The platform supports both AFOLU and Non-AFOLU projects across micro, small, and large scales with crediting periods up to 30-60 years.

The registry's core technology is a web-based portal that automates the project lifecycle from submission and validation through MCU issuance and crediting period management. The platform is supported by a codified framework of standards (Carbon Standard Ver 1.1, plus eight adjacent NCCF certification standards), procedures (Registration & Issuance Procedure, Methodology Approval Procedure), templates (DPD, SCR, VaR, VeR, MR), and domain tools (Sustainable Development Tool, GHG Reversal Risk and Buffer Contribution Tool). A separate registry subdomain (registry.nccf.in/projects) provides public project visibility. The ecosystem includes five named empaneled VVBs (KBS Certification, 4KES, VKU, Galaxy Certification, Carbon Check India) performing independent third-party assurance. No public API or SDK is offered; integration is web-portal based.

CR-I monetizes through a published fee schedule denominated in INR plus 18% GST, comprising one-time account registration (INR 25,000), annual maintenance (INR 15,000), project listing (INR 20,000), scale-based project registration (INR 20,000-50,000), volume-tiered MCU issuance fees (INR 5.00 down to INR 2.50 per credit), VVB application and empanelment fees (INR 10,000 + INR 50,000 annual), methodology approval fees (INR 25,000-75,000), and project modification fees. As a non-profit society, fees support general maintenance and administration rather than equity returns. Go-to-market is primarily direct/PLG through the online portal, supplemented by email and phone outreach, with marketing conducted via the cri.nccf.in website, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Name

Carbon Registry-India (CR-I)

Legal name

Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF)

Website

https://cri.nccf.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Carbon Registry-India (CR-I) is India's first dedicated carbon registry, operated by NCCF. The web-based platform enables project registration, third-party verification, MCU issuance, and tracking of carbon offset credits for IPPs, VVBs, IMDs, and credit buyers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Carbon Credit Registry

NAICS

Business Support Services (5614)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Carbon Registries & Issuance Platforms (Project/credit lifecycle, serials, issuance, retirement) (EUABAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interoperability & Registry Bridging Infrastructure (Cross-registry linking, meta-registries, portability) (EUABAAAI), Carbon Credit/REC Tracking, Claims & Chain-of-Custody Platforms (EUABAEAH), Carbon Accounting, Verification & Registry Services (MRV, Audits, Certification) (IMAMAJAE), Credit Issuance, Serialisation & Retirement Assurance (Registry Integrity Checks) (EUABACAM), Compliance & Integrity Infrastructure (KYC/AML, sanctions screening, fraud detection, claims/labeling integrity) (EUABAAAG)

Keywords

• Carbon credit registry
• Carbon offset verification
• Emissions trading platform
• Sustainability certification standards
• Carbon market infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Noida

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Registration and Issuance Fees: Fees charged for account registration (INR 25,000), project listing (INR 20,000), project registration (INR 20,000-50,000 based on scale), issuance fees per credit (INR 2.50-5.00 per MCU based on volume tiers), and annual maintenance charges (INR 15,000)
2. VVB Empanelment Fees: Application charges (INR 10,000) and annual empanelment charges (INR 50,000) for Validation and Verification Bodies
3. Methodology Development and Approval Fees: Fees for methodology synopsis submission (INR 25,000), methodology/tool approval for pre-approved methodologies (INR 75,000), methodology/tool revision (INR 50,000), and methodology compensation per credit issued (INR 0.75-1.50 based on volume)
4. Project Modification Fees: Fees for Permanent Design Changes (INR 20,000) and Renewal of Crediting Period (INR 20,000)
5. External Project Fee: Additional fee for external projects (INR 20,000, not adjustable with issuance fee)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Carbon Registry-India (CR-I) operates a digital registry platform that enables the listing, transfer, and tracking of verified carbon offset credits for project proponents, validation/verification bodies, methodology developers, and credit buyers. The platform delivers end-to-end carbon credit lifecycle management—including project registration, validation and verification, Marketable Carbon Unit (MCU) issuance, and crediting-period tracking—under CR-I's own Carbon Standard and Validation & Verification Standard, supported by domain tools (SDG Contribution, GHG Reversal Risk) and standardized procedures and templates.

Product overview

Carbon Registry – India (CR-I) is a unified carbon registry platform operated by the Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF). The platform provides end-to-end carbon credit lifecycle management including project registration, methodology approval, verification, and issuance of Marketable Carbon Units (MCUs). CR-I encompasses multiple certification standards (Carbon Standard, Forest Management, Trees Outside Forest, Non-Wood Forest Products, Protected Areas and Wetlands, Quality Planting Material, Ecotourism, Biofuel and Biomass, and Safeboards), supported by standardized procedures (Registration and Issuance Procedure, Methodology Approval Procedure), document templates, and assessment tools. The ecosystem also includes empaneled Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs) that perform independent validation and verification of projects and methodologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Carbon Registry – India (CR-I) Platform India's first carbon registry platform providing listing, transfer, and tracking of carbon offset credits for Indian and global stakeholders, aligned with India's NDC targets under the 2015 Paris Agreement. Used by Independent Project Proponents, VVBs, Independent Methodology Developers, and credit buyers.
• CR-I Carbon Standard The CR-I Carbon Standard establishes rules and requirements for the design, development, and inclusion of carbon offset projects, methodologies, and tools, along with requirements for implementation, operation, and monitoring. Applies to project proponents developing projects under the CR-I mechanism.
• Registration and Issuance Procedure Step-by-step procedure for initial submission and registration of projects, verification of net GHG emissions reduction, and issuance of Marketable Carbon Units (MCUs). For Independent Project Proponents registering carbon offset projects on the CR-I platform.
• Methodology Approval Procedure (MAP) Detailed procedure for submission, approval, and listing of new methodologies and tools, and their subsequent revision under CR-I. For Independent Methodology Developers (IMDs) seeking approval for GHG quantification methodologies.
• VVB Empanelment Service Empanelment service for Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs) to be formally recognized under CR-I to perform independent third-party validation and verification of projects and methodologies. Includes application review, agreement execution, and annual empanelment.
• Sustainable Development Tool (SDG Contribution Tool) Tool for Determination of Contribution of Projects towards Sustainable Development, used to assess SDG alignment of carbon offset projects registered under CR-I. Supports the platform's requirement that projects contribute to SDG 13 plus minimum 3 additional SDGs.
• GHG Reversal Risk and Buffer Contribution Tool Tool for Determination of GHG Reversal Risk and Buffer Contribution, assessing and managing risk of greenhouse gas reversals in registered carbon offset projects on the CR-I platform.
• Forest Management Certification Standard India-specific forest management certification standard involving key elements of existing models for sustainable forest management. India-specific scheme endorsed by PEFC.
• Trees Outside Forest (ToF) Certification Standard Certification standard for all trees growing outside recorded forest areas, addressing sustainable management of trees on farmland and rural landscapes.
• Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFP) Certification Standard Certification standard for non-wood forest products, supporting India's position as the tenth most forested country with 24.16% geographical area under forest cover.
• Protected Areas and Wetlands Certification Standard Certification standard for protected areas and wetlands, addressing India's recognition as one of 17 mega biodiversity countries globally.
• Quality Planting Material Certification Standard Certification standard determining quality of planting material based on origin, authenticity of variety and stock, and vegetation characteristics.
• Ecotourism Certification Standard Certification standard for ecotourism management balancing tourism and conservation to maintain natural environments while supporting sustainable practices.
• Biofuel and Biomass Certification Standard Certification scheme for biofuels, bioliquids, biogas, and bioproducts made from biomass sources.
• Safeboards Certification Standard Certification scheme for value-addition to composite-wood manufacturers addressing safe emission levels of formaldehyde from composite wood products.

Quantifiable outcome

• Projects must contribute to SDG 13 (Climate Action) as core goal plus minimum 3 additional SDGs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• KBS Certification Services Private LimitedcoreOthersEmpaneled Validation and Verification Body providing independent third-party assessment services in diverse areas of Management System Certification and Climate Change Services. Founded in 2005.
• 4K Earth Science Private Limited (4KES)coreOthersEmpaneled VVB focused on providing assurance on compliance governance mechanisms for carbon offset projects.
• VKU Certification Private Limited (VKU)coreOthersEmpaneled VVB established by entrepreneurs dedicated to serving green climate, clean energy and sustainable practices across industries.
• Galaxy Certification Services Private LimitedcoreOthersEmpaneled VVB leading in certification, inspection, and sustainability solutions helping businesses thrive in quality, sustainability, and compliance.
• Carbon Check (India) Private LimitedcoreOthersEmpaneled VVB recognized globally for validating and verifying greenhouse gas projects worldwide.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Sylvera: Sylvera is a ratings provider that evaluates the quality of voluntary carbon credits across registries. It is comparable as an ecosystem player that could either validate or downgrade CR-I's MCU quality, materially affecting buyer demand and pricing.

Direct peers

• Puro.earth: Puro.earth runs a registry for carbon removal credits with methodology approval, VVB verification, and serialized issuance. It is comparable to CR-I as a newer-generation registry with structured methodology processes and digital issuance workflows.
• American Carbon Registry: ACR is a US-based carbon registry offering registration, verification, and issuance services for voluntary and compliance carbon markets. It is directly comparable to CR-I as a project lifecycle registry serving project proponents, VVBs, and methodology developers.
• Gold Standard: Gold Standard runs a leading voluntary carbon registry with a strong focus on SDG co-benefits, very similar to CR-I's SDG 13 + 3 SDG requirement. It serves project developers, VVBs, and credit buyers in global markets including India.
• Verra: Verra operates the Verified Carbon Standard, the world's largest voluntary carbon registry. It is directly comparable to CR-I as a registry providing project registration, methodology approval, VVB validation/verification, and credit issuance across AFOLU and non-AFOLU sectors.
• Global Carbon Council: Global Carbon Council (GCC) is an emerging voluntary carbon registry based in the Middle East serving developing-country project developers. It is comparable to CR-I as a registry focused on Asia/MENA project pipelines with VVB-based verification workflows.
• Climate Action Reserve: Climate Action Reserve is a North American carbon offset registry with established protocols, VVB networks, and serialized credit issuance. It mirrors CR-I's structure of standards-based project registration, third-party verification, and tracked issuance.

Others

• ICROA (International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance): ICROA is an industry body that accredits carbon offset providers and standards. It is relevant to CR-I as an ecosystem participant whose endorsement could legitimize CR-I credits for corporate buyers, and conversely whose standards dictate what registries corporates accept.
• Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Council (VCMI): VCMI develops integrity claims and codes of practice for voluntary carbon credit buyers. It is relevant to CR-I as a market-shaping entity whose claims framework will determine which registries' credits are accepted for corporate net-zero claims, including those issued by CR-I.

Regional players

• Indian Carbon Market Platform (BEE): The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is the Indian government body developing the country's carbon market framework. It is a critical regional peer/advisor because any official Indian compliance registry would likely operate under BEE oversight, directly competing with or absorbing CR-I's role.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/nccfindia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carbon-registry-india-17a409160

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Carbon Registry-India (CR-I)