Ask Three Questions Before Repeating a Carbon Offset Claim

Why revisit this now?

As of November 1, 2026, COP31 is scheduled for November 9–20 in Antalya. That provides a timely reason to inspect climate-related marketing. The conference does not endorse any product or claim. These checks apply U.S. FTC guidance; other jurisdictions may use different rules.

The source is a dated snapshot, not a live monitoring feed. Return by 2026-11-20, or earlier if your evidence changes. A source published in an earlier year is identified as such below; its retrieval date is not a claim that the underlying rule is new.

The useful distinction

FTC guidance calls for reliable evidence, accounting that prevents double selling, and disclosure when reductions will not occur for at least two years.

Simple campaign wording may hide both timing and accounting uncertainty.

This guide separates a statement from the evidence that supports it. The companion tool turns your three answers into a short, ordered action brief. It does not replace the source, contact anyone, or turn uncertainty into a confident prediction.

Three questions to resolve

1. Is there scientific evidence and accounting against double selling?

   The FTC specifically names scientific support and appropriate accounting.

   If No or Not sure: Request the reduction method, evidence, and controls against double selling.

2. Is the timing of the emissions reduction documented?

   Purchase date and reduction date are different facts.

   If No or Not sure: Ask when reductions will occur and whether a two-year-or-longer delay must be disclosed.

3. Is the claimed activity additional to legal requirements?

   The FTC says not to advertise an offset based on legally required activity.

   If No or Not sure: Ask whether the activity is already required by law before advertising the offset.

Answer Yes only when you have supporting evidence. Choose Not sure when the information is missing or unclear. No and Not sure both keep the relevant action in the brief, but the exported record preserves the difference.

A worked example

Suppose the first check is No, the second is Yes, and the third is Not sure. These are illustrative choices, not facts about you. The App evaluates all three checks, records one confirmation, and returns two evidence gaps: checks 1 and 3.

The first next step is: Request the reduction method, evidence, and controls against double selling. The brief also keeps this follow-up: Ask whether the activity is already required by law before advertising the offset.

Now change only the first answer to Yes. The result has one remaining gap, check 3, and its action becomes the next step. If all answers are Yes, the result records three confirmations without declaring the situation safe, compliant, or eligible.

What can go wrong?

A receipt proves a payment, not when a reduction occurred or whether it was sold twice.

A polished brief can still contain mistaken inputs. Before acting, compare it with the original evidence and the current official instructions. If two sources conflict, ask the responsible authority or professional to resolve the conflict rather than selecting the answer you prefer.

Use the brief somewhere useful

Copy or download the offset substantiation request for your own records or a focused conversation. It includes your answers, unresolved actions, the rule explanations, source links, and the review date. Printing is also free; no account or payment is required.

Keep sensitive supporting documents outside this tool. A result link contains only the three status choices, but even those can reveal context. Share only after reading the warning, and do not add private identifiers to a public message.

General information only. This is not medical, legal, financial, or emergency advice. A completed checklist is not independent verification and does not submit an application, complaint, or request.

Sources, dates, and limits

1. Federal Trade Commission — Environmental Claims: Summary of the Green Guides

   The Green Guides distinguish specific environmental claims, their qualifications, and the evidence needed to support them. This is U.S. marketing guidance, not a global certification scheme.

   Publication/effective date: Undated summary; retrieved 2026-11-01. Checked 2026-11-01.

2. UNFCCC — The Road to Antalya

   COP31 is scheduled in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026. This is a conference schedule, not an adopted outcome or a product endorsement.

   Publication/effective date: 2026-11-09 to 2026-11-20 (scheduled event). Checked 2026-11-01.