Disseminated on behalf of Surge Battery Metals Inc.

Grade matters because it affects how much lithium a project can produce and how costly it is to operate. Higher grades generally mean more lithium can be recovered with lower costs. This matters for projects that want to compete in the fast‑growing electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage markets.

Let’s explore why grade is essential for lithium clay projects and learn how it affects economics, operations, and investor interest. More notably, we highlight how Surge Battery Metals’ Nevada North Lithium Project (NNLP) stands out in this context. 

What “Grade” Means in Lithium Projects

In mining, “grade” refers to how much lithium is present in a deposit. It is usually reported in parts per million (ppm) or as lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). A higher grade means there is more lithium per tonne of rock.

For lithium clay, grades can vary widely. Some clay deposits have grades below 1,000 ppm. Others reach several thousand ppm. The higher the grade, the more lithium metal is available to extract.

U.S. lithium clay peers usually range from 800 to 2,540 ppm Li. Some areas are lower, at 120 to 766 ppm, like American Lithium’s Tonopah claims. Others can reach 1,690 to 2,900 ppm in drilling. Common cutoffs start at 1,000–1,250 ppm for economic viability, far above the <500 ppm in some global clays like Australia’s Kaolin resources.

Grade affects several key project factors:

• Revenue potential – Higher grade means more lithium output per tonne of material moved.
• Cost efficiency – Projects with a higher grade may spend less on mining and processing per unit of lithium produced.
• Product quality – Higher-grade feedstock can result in higher‑purity lithium products, which are valuable in battery markets. 

Investors and developers pay close attention to grade because it is a strong indicator of future project performance.

• SEE LIVE LITHIUM PRICES HERE

Why Grade Matters More Than Ever

The global lithium market is changing fast. EV production is growing quickly. Energy storage systems are expanding. Demand for lithium is outpacing supply in many markets. This puts pressure on producers and developers to find the most competitive resources.

In this environment, grade has become a key differentiator among lithium clay projects. Several market trends explain why grade now matters more than ever:

• Rising Demand for Battery‑Grade Lithium

Battery manufacturers require consistent, high‑purity lithium feedstock. Higher-grade deposits can deliver more lithium for refining into battery materials. They can also reduce the amount of waste material that needs to be processed. 

Global lithium demand is forecast to reach 2.4–3.1 Mt LCE by 2030 (from ~0.7 Mt in 2022), with batteries driving >90% growth. High-grade clays minimize waste in refining to meet this.

• Cost Pressures in Battery Supply Chains

Global competition in battery manufacturing pushes producers to lower costs. Projects with higher grades can reduce lithium production costs. This improves project economics and makes supply chains more resilient.

Higher grades cut opex by reducing tonnage processed. For instance, >3,000 ppm clays enable <US$6,000/t LCE vs. lower-grade brine equivalents >US$10,000/t.

• Shift Toward Domestic Supply Security

Countries like the United States are prioritizing domestic lithium production. This is part of a broader energy and industrial policy. 

U.S. holds ~115 Mt lithium resources, per USGS 2025 data, up from 98 Mt in 2024. However, production is <1% global. IRA mandates 80% domestic or allied sourcing by 2027, favoring high-grade projects for faster permitting/offtakes.

Projects with strong grades are more likely to secure investment, permit approvals, and supply agreements. They offer clearer pathways to sustainable production.

In this landscape, projects with both good size and high grade stand out. They can produce more lithium with fewer inputs. They also attract stronger interest from investors and manufacturers looking for reliable sources of battery metals.

Nevada North: High-Grade Lithium in Action

Among lithium clay projects in the United States, Surge Battery Metals’ (TSX-V: NILI | OTCQX: NILIF) Nevada North Lithium Project (NNLP) is a standout example of why grade matters. NNLP hosts one of the highest‑grade lithium clay resources in the country. It also shows strong potential for expansion and future development.

According to the 2024 resource estimate, NNLP now has an inferred resource of 11.24 million tonnes (Mt) of LCE at an average grade of 3,010 ppm lithium using a 1,250 ppm cutoff. This represents a significant increase in both size and quality compared to earlier estimates. It also positions NNLP as one of the highest‑grade lithium clay deposits in the United States.

Within that total resource, a core portion of 7.43 Mt of LCE grades 3,843 ppm lithium at a higher cutoff level. Higher cutoffs generally indicate more concentrated lithium zones, which are especially valuable for economic studies and future mine planning.

• SEE MORE: Nevada Lithium Hub: Why Surge Battery Metals Holds the Key to U.S. EV Independence

NNLP’s strong grades have grown progressively through drilling campaigns. In 2023, early drilling returned exceptionally high lithium values, including intervals that ranged up to 8,070 ppm lithium in specific clay horizons. These high grades were encountered close to the surface, which could simplify mining logistics.

Surge recently reinforced this grade advantage with new drilling results at NNLP. The company reported a 31-meter intercept grading 4,196 ppm lithium from surface in a 640-meter step-out hole to the southeast. This intercept is nearly 40% higher than the project’s current average grade of 3,010 ppm lithium. 

The 640-meter extension also confirms that high-grade mineralization continues well beyond the existing resource boundary. Near-surface grades above 4,000 ppm further support low stripping ratios and efficient future development.

Mr. Greg Reimer, CEO, President, and Director of Surge, said,

“These drill holes materially enhance the scale of the Nevada North Lithium Project. Intersecting nearly 4,200 ppm lithium in a 640‑meter step-out to the southeast in NNL‑037 is a significant achievement. Not only is the system continuous, but we are encountering some of our highest grades at the very edges of the known footprint. It is increasingly clear that we have only begun to tap the true potential size of this premier lithium asset.”

NNLP’s resource is also shallow and laterally extensive. The deposit extends over kilometers of strike and remains open for expansion in several directions. This suggests that further drilling could add more tonnes or improve the average grade even further.

These characteristics give NNLP a competitive advantage. High grades can translate into lower production costs per tonne of lithium. They can also support strong economic outcomes as the project progresses toward prefeasibility and eventual development.

Economics Speak for Itself

High lithium grades help improve the economic profile of a project. For developers like Surge Battery Metals, this means stronger project metrics in studies such as preliminary economic assessments (PEAs).

In the case of NNLP, the high-grade and large resource support robust economic results. A recent PEA shows an after‑tax net present value (NPV) of US$9.21 billion and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 22.8% at a lithium price of US$24,000 per tonne LCE. These figures reflect the project’s ability to generate strong cash flows over its lifespan.

High grade also means that a project can produce significant lithium volumes without requiring excessively large mining operations. This can reduce environmental footprint, capital cost, and permitting complexity. The Nevada North deposit’s grades help make future processing and extraction more efficient.

For investors, grade is a key signal of potential project strength. Projects with grades well above the global average often trade at premium valuations relative to peers with lower grades. 

NNLP’s resource quality has attracted notable attention from analysts and market observers because it combines a strong grade with domestic location in a mining‑friendly jurisdiction.

The Strategic Edge in a Competitive Market

The lithium market will continue to evolve over the next decade. Global EV adoption and energy storage deployment are expected to drive demand for lithium to new highs. This will require reliable supply sources that can deliver consistent volume and quality.

In this context, grade will remain a core metric for comparing lithium clay projects. Deposits with higher grades are more likely to attract the capital, partnerships, and offtake agreements needed to advance through development phases. They also offer clearer economic paths compared to lower‑grade alternatives.

For Surge Battery Metals and its Nevada North Project, high grade is more than a number on a chart. It is a core advantage that differentiates NNLP from many peer projects. It supports strong resource economics, efficient processing potential, and a compelling narrative for domestic supply chain relevance in electric vehicle and battery markets.

As global competition for lithium intensifies, projects with both size and quality will stand out. NNLP’s high‑grade resource positions it as a leading example of how grade can influence outcomes in modern lithium clay development.

• READ MORE: From Resource to Battery-Grade: How NILI Aims to Deliver 99% Purity Lithium

DISCLAIMER 

New Era Publishing Inc. and/or CarbonCredits.com (“We” or “Us”) are not securities dealers or brokers, investment advisers, or financial advisers, and you should not rely on the information herein as investment advice. Surge Battery Metals Inc. (“Company”) made a one-time payment of $75,000 to provide marketing services for a term of three months. None of the owners, members, directors, or employees of New Era Publishing Inc. and/or CarbonCredits.com currently hold, or have any beneficial ownership in, any shares, stocks, or options of the companies mentioned.

This article is informational only and is solely for use by prospective investors in determining whether to seek additional information. It does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Examples that we provide of share price increases pertaining to a particular issuer from one referenced date to another represent arbitrarily chosen time periods and are no indication whatsoever of future stock prices for that issuer and are of no predictive value.

Our stock profiles are intended to highlight certain companies for your further investigation; they are not stock recommendations or an offer or sale of the referenced securities. The securities issued by the companies we profile should be considered high-risk; if you do invest despite these warnings, you may lose your entire investment. Please do your own research before investing, including reviewing the companies’ SEDAR+ and SEC filings, press releases, and risk disclosures.

It is our policy that information contained in this profile was provided by the company, extracted from SEDAR+ and SEC filings, company websites, and other publicly available sources. We believe the sources and information are accurate and reliable but we cannot guarantee them.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT AND FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information generally can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “plan,” and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Forward-looking information is based on current expectations of management; however, it is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated.

These factors include, without limitation, statements relating to the Company’s exploration and development plans, the potential of its mineral projects, financing activities, regulatory approvals, market conditions, and future objectives. Forward-looking information involves numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market volatility, the state of financial markets for the Company’s securities, fluctuations in commodity prices, operational challenges, and changes in business plans.

Forward-looking information is based on several key expectations and assumptions, including, without limitation, that the Company will continue with its stated business objectives and will be able to raise additional capital as required. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended.

There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis and annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2025, copies of which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking information reflects management’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances except as may be required by applicable law.

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The post Why Grade Matters More Than Ever in Lithium Clay Projects appeared first on Carbon Credits.

Microsoft has achieved a major sustainability milestone by matching 100% of its global electricity use with renewable energy. The target, set in 2020, was part of the company’s wider climate goals and originally slated for completion by 2025.

The company bought enough clean power to meet all its electricity needs. This covers the total use at its data centers, offices, campuses, and facilities around the world for the year.

It is one of the largest corporate clean energy achievements ever recorded. The milestone shows how major energy buyers can boost renewable infrastructure and cut emissions.

Microsoft’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Melanie Nakagawa, said:

“This is an important step on our path to carbon negativity. Electricity is a major source of emissions for Microsoft – and for many organizations. Microsoft’s experience building our clean energy portfolio has served as an important catalyst in driving commercial demand for infrastructure and innovation across the power sector.”

The Scale of Microsoft’s Renewable Energy Portfolio

Microsoft’s renewable matching does not mean every kilowatt-hour it uses comes directly from clean sources every hour of the day. Instead, the company matched its total annual electricity use with clean energy it helped finance.

The tech giant’s renewable energy portfolio is extensive and global in scale. Since 2013, when the company signed its first 110 MW power purchase agreement in Texas, it has grown its clean energy commitments. As of 2025, Microsoft has contracted about 40 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable energy supply across 26 countries.

Of this total, roughly 19 GW is already online and delivering electricity to the grid. The remaining 21 GW are expected to become operational during the next five years.

• To help put this scale into context, 40 GW of renewable capacity is roughly enough electricity to power 10 million U.S. homes.

The big tech company quickly grew its renewable energy contracts. It went from about 1.8 gigawatts in 2020 to 40 gigawatts by 2025, showing an increase of around 2,100% in just five years. This sharp rise reflects the company’s accelerated clean energy procurement strategy.

The scale of growth shows how quickly large technology firms are securing long-term clean power contracts to support expanding data center and AI operations while reducing emissions.

Microsoft’s clean energy contracts include solar, wind, hydro, and other renewables. These projects are built under long-term agreements called power purchase agreements (PPAs). These PPAs usually last 10 to 15 years, which gives renewable energy developers steady revenue. It also helps them fund new clean energy plants.

How Renewable Matching Works

Matching 100% of electricity use with renewables means Microsoft buys as much renewable energy as it uses each year.

The company achieves this mainly through long-term PPAs, which finance new generation capacity. PPAs occur when Microsoft contracts with renewable energy developers to buy power at a set price over many years.

Microsoft buys renewable energy in key U.S. markets like PJM Interconnection, MISO, and ERCOT. It also invests in renewable capacity in Europe, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America.

Renewables from grid programs and clean tariffs count toward the matching goal. This is true when they have long-term contracts, not short-term “spot” credits.

This approach helps ensure that Microsoft’s demand supports new renewable capacity, not just transfers ownership of existing clean power. Long-term contracts allow developers to build new projects.

SEE MORE on Microsoft: 

• Microsoft (MSFT) Signs Solar Deal with Zelestra to Power Data Centers in Spain, Supporting Community Projects
• Microsoft Leads on Climate: $800M CIF Drives Clean Tech and AI Energy Deals with ADNOC, Masdar, and XRG

Powering the Path to Carbon Negative by 2030

Matching 100% of electricity use with renewable energy is a central step in Microsoft’s broader climate strategy. In 2020, Microsoft announced a “moonshot” goal to become carbon negative by 2030. This means removing more carbon than it emits.

The renewable matching effort also helps reduce Scope 2 emissions, which are those associated with purchased electricity. Microsoft estimates it has cut its Scope 2 CO₂ emissions by around 25 million metric tons since starting its clean energy journey.

Microsoft’s renewable electricity commitment is part of a larger climate plan. This plan includes investing in carbon removal, improving efficiency, and exploring new technologies.

The tech giant created a Climate Innovation Fund. It has invested hundreds of millions in energy systems, storage, and grid innovation.

The company closely tracks Scope 2 progress. It also tracks how fast artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing grow. This growth impacts total energy demand and emissions.

From Texas to India: A Global Procurement Strategy

Microsoft’s renewable energy contracts span many countries and energy markets.

In the United States, Microsoft has focused on major grid regions like PJM Interconnection (about 8,089 MW contracted), MISO (7,897 MW), and ERCOT (4,696 MW).

In Europe, the UK leads with about 1,666 MW of renewable capacity contracted, followed by Spain (1,496 MW) and Germany (1,425 MW).

• READ MORE: Microsoft and Iberdrola Power AI with 150 MW Wind PPA in Spain

Renewable capacity is also growing in the Asia Pacific. India leads with 1,011 MW, while Australia follows with 868 MW. This geographic diversity spreads investment. It also boosts renewable capacity in markets at different stages of energy transition.

Microsoft is exploring new procurement models and agreements. They are tailoring solutions for local markets and regulations.

Big Tech’s Expanding Role in Grid Decarbonization

Microsoft’s renewable energy milestone reflects a wider shift in corporate clean energy demand. Bloomberg New Energy Finance reports that over 200 global companies have bought almost 200 GW of clean energy since 2008. Microsoft’s efforts are part of this broader trend.

Big tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta have pledged to use renewable energy for their data centers and operations. These companies typically use PPAs to finance new wind and solar projects around the world.

The renewable energy demand from major corporations helps mobilize capital, lower financing costs, and accelerate the deployment of clean infrastructure.

This market signal can boost investor confidence. It also encourages utilities to adopt cleaner generation plans. These plans align with long-term decarbonization goals.

Analysts say that matching yearly renewable energy use with clean electricity doesn’t mean all power use is emissions-free at every moment. Balancing electricity supply with demand each hour, known as 24/7 carbon-free electricity, is a tough task.

Microsoft’s milestone is a big win for corporate climate action. This is true even with the challenges faced.

Beyond Annual Matching: The 24/7 Clean Power Challenge

Microsoft says it will continue to conduct renewable energy contracting to support future growth and climate goals.

Through 2030, the company plans to maintain 100% annual renewable matching and expand into emerging markets. This includes looking into more carbon-free sources like nuclear power. It also covers grid-enabling technologies to meet clean energy needs anytime.

The company is also scaling partnerships to extend its clean energy footprint. It has several contracts with global energy partners that each provide more than 1 GW of capacity.

As energy demand from cloud and AI services continues to grow, Microsoft’s renewable portfolio and innovation efforts will be central to balancing electrification with climate commitments.

• READ MORE: Microsoft’s $6.2 Billion AI Bet in Norway for 100% Renewable Energy Powered Computing

The post Microsoft Hits 100% Renewable Electricity Milestone With 40GW Clean Energy Portfolio appeared first on Carbon Credits.

If a business wants to make a positive impact on the world, addressing its environmental footprint operationally might not be enough. Even with the best intentions, running a business inevitably means consuming some resources that can’t simply be avoided.

For example, a coffee company might engage in regenerative farming to sequester more carbon than it emits and support healthy local ecosystems. But even with careful practices, it can’t avoid certain realities, like the shipping emissions from transporting beans to their customers.

Fortunately, there are several voluntary, market-based solutions that enable businesses to address residual environmental issues that can’t simply be cut. c

The most well-known mechanism is likely carbon credits. Also called carbon offsets, carbon credits direct financing toward environmental projects that avoid, reduce, or remove emissions, thereby helping a buyer balance its carbon footprint. And with high-quality credits, the funding typically supports projects that wouldn’t otherwise be possible without this extra revenue.

But carbon credits are just one of several types of environmental credits that direct financing toward projects that support the environment.

For one, carbon credits are often grouped under the umbrella term environmental attribute certificate (EAC), which includes other types of financing mechanisms, like energy-related certificates. By purchasing an EAC, the buyer generally gains the right to claim the environmental benefits associated with that certificate, like an emission reduction associated with funding renewable electricity.

Still, the same concept can apply to non-emissions areas. Buying plastic credits can fund the recovery or prevention of plastic waste, which a company might then claim helps balance the impact of the virgin plastic used in its products.

Depending on your operations and sustainability goals, different types of credits or certificates could be worth investing in.

Here, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular types of environmental credits.

Types of Environmental Credits

Carbon Credits

What they represent: One metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions avoided, reduced, or removed from the atmosphere.

Why they matter: Even when companies set ambitious emission reduction goals, they generally can’t cut to zero overnight. Carbon credits can help serve as a bridge to global net-zero, and they can continue to be used to offset residual emissions that are essentially impossible to avoid.

Carbon credits also tend to have a variety of co-benefits beyond emissions, like protecting valuable ecosystems or supporting health and economic opportunities in the local communities where these projects operate.

How they’re generated: Carbon credits can come from many different types of projects that have independent third-party verified emissions impact, such as reforestation, methane capture from landfills, and soil carbon sequestration, to name just a few.

Calculate your carbon footprint to get a better sense of the emissions you want to balance.

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)

What they represent: The environmental attributes associated with one megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable electricity.

Why they matter: Buying a REC is essentially the same as buying renewable electricity. Power gets mixed from different sources within a grid, so it’s not always possible to know exactly who’s consuming what. But since that renewable electricity is definitively added into the mix, that means someone is now using renewable energy.

The REC simply gives you permission to claim that benefit for yourself, while generally avoiding the risk of double-counting. Meanwhile, by buying RECs, you’re supporting the financial viability of more clean energy projects.

How they’re generated: RECs can be generated when a renewable source of electricity gets verifiably added to a power grid. RECs can either be sold bundled or unbundled. With bundled RECs, the energy and environmental attributes are sold together, like if a solar farm directly sells its energy to a company and agrees not to sell the claim to those environmental attributes elsewhere. Unbundled RECs separate the environmental claims and the energy, making it possible to claim the use of renewable electricity while continuing to purchase from your local utility.

You can easily and affordably purchase Green-e certified RECs through Terrapass online.

Water Restoration Certificates (WRCs)

What they represent: One WRC corresponds to 1,000 gallons of natural freshwater improved or restored.

Why they matter: Many parts of the world are under significant water stress, which often stems from issues like commercial overuse and climate change. Buying WRCs can help counter this trend by supporting the health and volume of freshwater systems.

A business operating in water-stressed regions in the Western U.S., for example, may need to inevitably use some freshwater to produce its products. In that case, it can ideally fund WRC projects in that same water resource region, like ones that secure water rights to keep more water within rivers, aquifers, etc.

How they’re generated: While similar water-related credits may exist elsewhere, BEF WRCs™ are specifically issued by the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). BEF WRC™ projects can involve restoring flows through securing legal rights, restoring natural systems through physical interventions like removing dams, or improving water use efficiency. All projects are third-party verified, typically by Watercourse Engineering or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and all are tracked on S&P Global’s Markit registry.

Support freshwater systems and their associated recreational and ecological benefits by buying WRCs through Terrapass today.

Plastic Credits

What they represent:  Plastic credits aren’t quite as formalized as some of these other market-based instruments, so the details can vary by credit issuer. But one example is Verra’s Plastic Waste Reduction Program, where one plastic credit represents one metric ton of plastic that’s been collected or recycled.

Why they matter: Each year, approximately 19-23 million tons of plastic leak from land-based sources into water systems, according to the UN Environment Programme. Plastic pollution then poses many threats, such as to the health of marine animals, as well as overall human health.

Businesses can buy plastic credits to help counter plastic pollution, especially because plastic has become so ubiquitous that it’s not always possible to immediately remove plastic from your packaging or other parts of your supply chain.

How they’re generated: Generating these credits depends on the issuer. Some businesses, particularly consumer-facing ones, work with third-party organizations to make plastic-neutral claims. For one, ice pop company GoodPop launched a limited edition flavor that’s certified plastic neutral by 4Ocean. For this certification, 4Ocean removes plastic from water systems and coastlines equivalent to each pound of plastic used to produce that product or for the brand as a whole.

For Verra’s plastic credits, projects must meet the specific guidelines of its Plastic Waste Reduction Standard and accounting methodologies that help ensure each credit represents one metric ton of plastic collected or recycled. These projects are also third-party audited, as well as tracked on the Verra Registry, similar to carbon credits.

Biodiversity Credits

What they represent: Biodiversity credits are one of the least developed types of environmental credits, so there’s not a general consensus on what they represent. Different credit issuers have different standards.

For example, one of the pioneers in this space, Savimbo, sells biodiversity credits that represent one month of conservation for one hectare in a biodiversity hotspot. In contrast, another leader in this space, Terrasos, sells biodiversity credits that represent 10 m² (0.001 hectares) of protected ecosystems for 30 years.

Why they matter: Climate change and related issues like land use change are causing significant biodiversity loss. From 1970 to 2020, wildlife populations fell by 73%, according to WWF.

At a simple level, interfering with natural cycles of plant and animal life leads to species loss, which then creates more risks for humans, like faster temperature rise due to the loss of natural carbon sinks. There’s also many nuanced arguments for supporting biodiversity, such as the economic and health value of stable plant and animal life.

How they’re generated: Because these are less established, there’s not a standard way to generate biodiversity credits. But in general, these work like carbon credits, in the sense that an issuer works with project developers to ensure a given area of land is conserved in a way that protects biodiversity.

One voluntary group, the Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA), backed by organizations such as the UN Development Programme, is working on developing a framework for biodiversity credits that could help this market more closely resemble the voluntary carbon credit market.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Certificates (SAFc)

What they represent: The environmental attributes associated with one metric ton of unblended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Why they matter: Flying is a carbon-intensive activity, yet these can be some of the hardest emissions to avoid. A growing business, for example, may be able to address its direct energy use, but total emissions could still rise if employees fly to meet with customers and suppliers. Finding efficiencies like batching travel into longer trips or using online meetings when possible can help, but the reality is that many still value flying.

So, sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFc) provide buyers with a way to claim the use of this low-carbon fuel, rather than accounting for the normal emissions associated with traditional jet fuel. If you’re flying on a commercial airline, you don’t have direct control over their fuel usage, but by buying SAFc, you’re supporting the transition to lower-emission fuel sources.

How they’re generated: Unlike traditional jet fuel made from petroleum, SAF comes from alternative feedstocks like used cooking oils or agricultural waste. SAF then gets blended with traditional jet fuel, with commercial planes currently able to accommodate about 10-50% of the total volume from SAF, though testing of higher limits is underway.

Because of this blending, you can’t exactly say that your flight from New York to LA runs on SAF while a flight from New York to San Francisco runs on traditional jet fuel. But like with RECs, SAF certificates give you the ability to claim the environmental attributes of SAF. If you purchase enough certificates that correspond with your flight’s fuel usage, you could claim your portion of the flight fully used SAF from an emissions accounting perspective.

Buyers often use the book-and-claim approach for SAF certificates and other low-carbon fuel purchases. That means instead of taking physical possession of this fuel, you’re buying the certificates that represent a certain amount, and you then claim the corresponding environmental attributes.

Renewable Thermal Certificates (RTCs)

What they represent: The environmental attributes of 1 dekatherm (Dth) of renewable thermal energy, such as renewable natural gas or green hydrogen.

Why they matter: Not everything can be electrified to then run on renewable electricity, at least in the short term. Businesses often still have large scope 1 footprints from burning natural gas or using similar fuel sources.

So, using renewable thermal certificates (RTCs) provides buyers with a way to claim the environmental benefits of renewable thermal energy, like using renewable natural gas (RNG) to generate heat from a furnace, or using green hydrogen to power an industrial boiler. Like with RECs, RTCs enable buyers to make these claims without having to always physically procure the renewable energy, especially in cases where renewable and non-renewable fuels get mixed.

How they’re generated: RTCs are generated from projects that produce renewable thermal energy, like municipal waste facilities that capture methane from landfills and convert it into RNG. This works essentially the same as it does with RECs, where the RTCs can be either bundled with the underlying energy or sold unbundled on a book-and-claim basis.

Finding the Right Environmental Credits

Environmental issues are often deeply interconnected. Rising greenhouse gas emissions, for example, can increase global temperatures, which then can increase droughts and trigger biodiversity loss. So, while carbon credits are generally the most established option, purchasing a broader mix of environmental credits can help organizations reach sustainability goals faster and drive more meaningful impact.

Still, not all environmental credits are created equally. Quality can vary significantly, so make sure you’re buying credits from a reputable source. Consider factors such as third-party verification, registry tracking to avoid double-counting, and additionality, where the money from purchasing credits supports environmental action that wouldn’t otherwise take place.

Environmental product providers like Terrapass make it easy for buyers to fund a mix of high-quality carbon credit projects, as well as other types of credits like RECs and WRCs.

Businesses can also build a custom portfolio of environmental credits through Terrapass to align with your environmental footprint and corporate sustainability goals. Reach out today to see how you can make a more positive impact by funding different environmental projects.

frameworks, and support transparent, defensible climate claims as part of a long-term sustainability strategy.

The post Beyond Carbon Credits: A Guide to the Expanding World of Environmental Credits appeared first on Terrapass.