akar.earthRegistry: Definition
What is a carbon registry? How registries record issuance, transfers and retirements of credits, and how Indonesia's SRUK sits beside Verra and ART.
A registry is the electronic database that records carbon projects and the credits they generate, including who holds each credit and whether it has been issued, transferred, cancelled or retired. It is the official ledger of ownership for carbon units.
Why it matters
Without a registry, nobody could prove that a credit exists, who owns it or whether it has been used. Registries prevent double issuance and double use through serial numbers and account rules. Public registry data also power market analysis, rating agencies and claim checks.
How registries work
- Project listing: projects appear in the pipeline, then as registered with documents attached.
- Issuance: verified credits are created in the proponent’s account.
- Transfers: credits move between account holders when sold.
- Retirement and cancellation: credits are removed from circulation for claims or administrative reasons.
- Labels: registries can tag credits with attributes such as CCP labels or authorisation for international transfer.
Each programme runs its own registry: Verra, Gold Standard, ART and Plan Vivo all do, sometimes through third-party providers. National registries track units for compliance and Paris Agreement reporting.
Indonesia angle
Indonesia operates a two-layer system. Domestically, units traded on IDXCarbon must be recorded in SRUK, which replaces SRN-PPI. Internationally, projects use programme registries. Moving units between them requires cancellation in one system and recording in the other, under rules set by Perpres 110/2025 and related regulations. Our comparison of SRUK and the Verra registry explains the differences. MRV data should be exportable in formats both systems accept.
Common mistakes
- Treating a broker’s statement as proof of ownership instead of checking the registry.
- Not opening a registry account early, which delays issuance and sales.
- Assuming domestic and international registries talk to each other automatically.
Related terms
See serial number, retirement and corresponding adjustment, or explore the climate finance hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a registry and an exchange?
A registry records who owns which credits and their status. An exchange such as IDXCarbon is a marketplace where credits are traded; trades settle by moving units between registry accounts.
Which registry does Indonesia use?
Carbon units traded on IDXCarbon must be recorded in SRUK, the national registry that replaces SRN-PPI. International projects also use programme registries such as Verra's.