Net-zero claims with nature-based projects: what holds up

7 October 2026 4 min read Grow Billion Trees team

Under the SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard, carbon credits do not count as reductions toward science-based targets. A company cannot claim net zero until it meets its long-term target and neutralises residual emissions. India's 2024 greenwashing guidelines bar terms like "carbon neutral" without adequate qualifiers. Nature-based projects hold up when presented as action beyond your own reductions, with estimates clearly labelled.

Why are energy companies under extra scrutiny?

Oil, gas and power companies have large direct emissions. When they talk about trees or mangroves, readers ask whether planting is replacing real cuts.

The answer has to be no. A credible claim puts reductions first and treats nature projects as an addition.

What does the SBTi Net-Zero Standard say?

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Corporate Net-Zero Standard, version 1.3.1, sets four elements:

Near-term targets: 5-10 year reduction targets aligned with 1.5°C pathways.
Long-term targets: deep cuts by 2050 or sooner. SBTi says most companies will cut emissions by at least 90%.
Neutralisation: removing carbon to counterbalance residual emissions at the target year.
Beyond value chain mitigation: action outside your value chain, encouraged but "not a substitute" for deep cuts.

Two lines matter most. Carbon credits "do not count as reductions toward meeting near-term or long-term science-based targets". And a company "cannot claim to have reached net-zero" until it meets its long-term target and neutralises residual emissions.

What do India's greenwashing guidelines add?

The Central Consumer Protection Authority issued guidelines on greenwashing and misleading environmental claims on 15 October 2024.

As reported by Mongabay India, casual use of terms like "green", "eco-friendly" and "carbon neutral" without adequate qualifiers is prohibited. Claims need verifiable evidence from independent studies or third-party certification.

The final guidelines cover environmental claims in any form, not only advertisements.

Where does plantation fit in an energy company's net-zero plan?

Use	Holds up?	Why
Counting trees as cuts to Scope 1 emissions	No	Credits and removals are reported separately from the inventory
Meeting a CCTS emission intensity target with trees	No	Intensity is measured on plant emissions and output
Beyond value chain mitigation alongside reduction targets	Yes	SBTi encourages it in addition to deep cuts
Green belt, compensatory afforestation, mangroves as compliance	Yes	These are separate legal duties, reported as such
BRSR disclosure of land and biodiversity work	Yes	With area, survival and species data

Wording that holds up

"We are cutting our own emissions first. In addition, we fund native tree and mangrove restoration."
"Estimated carbon removal from these plantations is reported separately and is not counted toward our targets."
"Trees are geo-tagged and survival is reported each year."

Wording to avoid

"Our refinery is carbon neutral thanks to our forests."
"Every litre is offset by trees."
Any tonnes-of-CO₂ figure for young trees presented as certain or already achieved.

How to keep claims verifiable

Separate the emissions inventory, reduction progress and nature projects in every report.
Describe plantation in outcomes you can show: area, species, trees alive, survival rate.
Label all carbon numbers as estimates, with the method stated.
Link evidence in reports: maps, geo-tagged records and third-party checks where available.
Review claims with legal and sustainability teams before publishing.

Our net-zero page and green credits vs carbon credits vs CSR vs BRSR explain the distinctions further. For carbon estimates, see the trees-to-offset calculator.

How should reports present nature projects?

Give nature projects their own section, after emissions and reduction progress. Do not merge them into the emissions table.

State what was done in plain terms: where, how many hectares, which species, how many trees are alive. Then give any carbon estimate with its method and a note that it is not counted toward targets.

In BRSR, plantation sits naturally under Principle 6 on the environment. Our BRSR Principle 6 guide shows where each item goes.

Does Grow Billion Trees sell carbon credits?

No. We do not sell CCTS carbon credits from these plantations, and we do not promise credits. Carbon figures we share are estimates.

How Grow Billion Trees helps

We deliver tree, mangrove and soil projects that sit beside your reduction plan. Our evidence supports careful claims: geo-tagged trees, survival data and BRSR-ready reports. See our oil and gas page. We geo-tag every tree, report on GreenTrack, and hold to 85% survival across our programmes. Projects are priced per project after a site survey; you can plan a programme with our team.

Further reading: Net Zero for Cement: What Nature-Based Projects Can and Cannot Claim · CCTS targets for refineries and petrochemicals: where trees fit

Frequently Asked Questions

Can trees help an energy company reach net zero?

Only alongside deep cuts to its own emissions. Under SBTi, carbon credits do not count toward reduction targets and may only neutralise residual emissions or finance action beyond the value chain.

Can we call a refinery "carbon neutral" because of plantations?

This is risky. India's 2024 greenwashing guidelines bar terms like "carbon neutral" without adequate qualifiers and verifiable evidence.

What is beyond value chain mitigation?

Climate action outside a company's value chain, such as funding restoration. SBTi encourages it, but it is not a substitute for cutting your own emissions.