A " credit" to emit a Tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) issued as part of an emissions trading scheme such as the European Emissions Trading Scheme. Exchange Handbook Glossary
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carbon credit ˈcarbon ˌcredit noun [countable]
COMMERCE a fixed amount of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, that a company is allowed to send into the earth's atmosphere:
• Electricity companies are allocated less carbon credits than they need, in order to encourage investment in environmentally-friendly power generation.
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carbon credit UK US noun [C]
► ENVIRONMENT a unit used in carbon trading that represents the right of a business, factory, etc. to release 1000 kilograms of carbon dioxide into the environment: »
The Climate Trust is a group that buys and sells carbon credits.
»Companies unable to meet their emissions targets would be able to purchase additional carbon credits.
Financial and business terms. 2012.