akar.earthIssuance: Definition
What is issuance of carbon credits? How verified reductions become serialised credits in a registry, what is deducted first, and Indonesia's SRUK step.
Issuance is the act of a carbon programme creating new, serialised carbon credits in its registry after a project’s results have been verified. Each issued credit represents one tonne of CO2 equivalent and carries a unique serial number.
Why it matters
Issuance turns audited climate results into a tradable asset. Until credits are issued, a project has only estimates or verified tonnes that cannot be sold or retired. Issuance data are also the market’s main supply statistic. For example, Southeast Asia had issued 129 million nature-based credits under VCS and Gold Standard by April 2025, about 22% of global NbS issuance, with Indonesia accounting for 59.3% of the regional total.
How it works
- A VVB completes verification of a monitoring report.
- The proponent requests issuance and pays programme fees.
- The programme reviews the verification package.
- Credits are created in the registry, net of deductions such as uncertainty adjustments and buffer pool contributions, and deposited into the proponent’s account.
- Each batch records the project, vintage, methodology and any labels or authorisations.
Some programmes now tag credits with additional attributes, such as a CCP label or a Paris Agreement authorisation status.
Indonesia angle
Indonesia adds a domestic layer. Carbon units traded on IDXCarbon must be recorded in SRUK, the national registry that replaces SRN-PPI. Projects that want to sell both internationally and domestically need to understand how units move between systems and how to avoid double issuance. Rules under Perpres 110/2025 and POJK 10/2026 govern this, so check current guidance before requesting issuance.
Common mistakes
- Confusing verified tonnes with issued credits; deductions reduce the final number.
- Planning cash flow on issuance dates without allowing for programme review time.
- Issuing the same tonnes in two registries without a clear cancellation or transfer.
Related terms
See retirement, vintage and registry, or explore the climate finance hub.
Frequently asked questions
How many credits are issued after verification?
The verified net emission reductions or removals, minus uncertainty and buffer deductions. One credit equals one tonne of CO2 equivalent.
Who receives the credits at issuance?
They are deposited into the registry account of the project proponent or a designated account holder, as set out in the project registration.