---
title: What Does the New VCMI Claims Code Mean for Carbon Credit Usage – Green Carbon Corp
description: The Voluntary Carbon Market Integrity Initiative (VCMI) Claims Code of Practice offers a structured framework to guide companies in responsibly integrating high-quality carbon credits into their net-zero strategies.
image: https://www.greencarboncorp.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/VCMI-Codes-Article-.jpg
---

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## Green

### Carbon Corp

The Voluntary Carbon Market Integrity Initiative (VCMI) Claims Code of Practice offers a structured framework to guide companies in responsibly integrating high-quality carbon credits into their net-zero strategies.

# What Does the New VCMI Claims Code Mean for Carbon Credit Usage

## VCMI Claims Code of Practice: A Strategic Guide for Carbon Credit Buyers

The Voluntary Carbon Market Integrity Initiative (VCMI) Claims Code of Practice offers a structured framework to guide companies in responsibly integrating high-quality carbon credits into their net-zero strategies. The Code introduces a four-step process that enables organizations to make Carbon Integrity Claims and demonstrate ambition beyond internal decarbonization. Each claim—Silver, Gold, and Platinum—signals progressive levels of climate action, verified credit use, and alignment with international best practices.

## Carbon Integrity Claims

The VCMI framework empowers companies to credibly communicate the use of carbon credits by adopting one of three Carbon Integrity Claims. Each tier builds on VCMI’s foundational criteria, which includes public emissions disclosures, alignment with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and adherence to credible offset standards like Verra and Gold Standard.

## Silver Claim

- Carbon Credit Retirement: 20–60% of remaining emissions.
- Annual Progression: Increase credit usage over time.
- Additionality: Credits must fund additional climate mitigation.
- Alignment: Must comply with SBTi and UN Race to Zero.

## Gold Claim

- Carbon Credit Retirement: 60–100% of remaining emissions.
- Annual Progression: Increase credit usage yearly.
- Additionality: Same standard as Silver, with greater volume.
- Alignment: VCMI criteria plus Race to Zero compliance.
- Platinum Claim
- Carbon Credit Retirement: 100% or more of remaining emissions.
- Annual Progression: Maintain or exceed 100%.
- Additionality: Must go beyond mandatory reductions.
- Alignment: Full SBTi and Race to Zero alignment.

## Comparison Overview

| Tier | Carbon Credit Retirement (%) | Annual Increase Requirement | Additionality | Global Alignment |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Silver | 20–60% | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gold | 60–100% | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Platinum | 100%+ | Maintain/Exceed | Yes | Yes |

These tiers help signal credible carbon credit use in alignment with climate science. By aligning with the VCMI Claims Code, companies can mitigate reputational risk, improve ESG reporting, and support global climate objectives.

[Learn More About Carbon Credits](https://www.greencarboncorp.com/articles)

---

## References

- [VCMI. (2023). Claims Code of Practice.](https://vcmintegrity.org)
- [SBTi. (2023). Science Based Targets initiative.](https://sciencebasedtargets.org)
- [UNFCCC. (2023). Race to Zero Campaign.](https://racetozero.unfccc.int)
- [Green Carbon Corp. (2025). What Does the New VCMI Code Mean?](https://www.greencarboncorp.com/articles/what-does-the-new-vcmi-claims-code-mean-for-carbon-credit-usage)
- [Verra. (2024). Verified Carbon Standard.](https://verra.org)
- [Gold Standard. (2024). Offset Project Registry.](https://www.goldstandard.org)

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