--- title: Proba x IFA Q&As description: Find answers to your pressing questions about Proba Carbon Credits in our FAQ section. Learn how they work, their benefits for reducing Scope 3 emissions, and their role in achieving Net Zero goals. --- [Skip to content](https://proba.earth/proba_ifa_qa#main-content) [![Proba. In your supply chain, we make the voluntary carbon market work for you.](https://proba.earth/hs-fs/hubfs/positive.png?width=185&height=53&name=positive.png)](https://www.proba.earth?hsLang=en) - Use cases Show submenu for Use cases - [Quantify fertilizer emissions](https://proba.earth/quantify-fertilizer-emissions-proba) - [Certify reductions](https://proba.earth/certify-emission-reductions) - [Design projects](https://proba.earth/design-sustainability-projects) - [Connect to buyers](https://proba.earth/connect-to-buyers) - [Scope 3 progress](https://proba.earth/report-scope-3-progress) - [For food companies](https://proba.earth/for-food-companies) - [For commodity traders](https://proba.earth/commodity-trader) - [For agricultural co-ops](https://proba.earth/agri-cooperatives) - [For fertilizer producers](https://proba.earth/for-fertilizer-producers) - Products Show submenu for Products - [MRV Platform](https://proba.earth/mrv-platform) - [GHG Methodologies](https://proba.earth/methodologies) - [Inset Units](https://proba.earth/inset-units) - [Registry](https://proba.earth/registry) - [All Proba products](https://proba.earth/products) - Services Show submenu for Services - [Implementation services](https://proba.earth/implementation-services) - [Proba Projects](https://proba.earth/proba-projects) - [Proba Quick scan](https://proba.earth/fertilizer-emission-calculator) - Resources Show submenu for Resources - [Blog](https://proba.earth/probas-blog) - [Proba Standard](https://proba.earth/proba-standard) - [Public Consultation](https://proba.earth/public-consultation) - [Approved VVBs](https://proba.earth/approved-vvbs) - Company Show submenu for Company - [About us](https://proba.earth/about-proba) - [Contact us](https://proba.earth/contact) - [Governance](https://proba.earth/proba-governance) - [Privacy policy](https://proba.earth/proba-privacy-policy) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Use cases Show submenu for Use cases - [Quantify fertilizer emissions](https://proba.earth/quantify-fertilizer-emissions-proba) - [Certify reductions](https://proba.earth/certify-emission-reductions) - [Design projects](https://proba.earth/design-sustainability-projects) - [Connect to buyers](https://proba.earth/connect-to-buyers) - [Scope 3 progress](https://proba.earth/report-scope-3-progress) - [For food companies](https://proba.earth/for-food-companies) - [For commodity traders](https://proba.earth/commodity-trader) - [For agricultural co-ops](https://proba.earth/agri-cooperatives) - [For fertilizer producers](https://proba.earth/for-fertilizer-producers) - Products Show submenu for Products - [MRV Platform](https://proba.earth/mrv-platform) - [GHG Methodologies](https://proba.earth/methodologies) - [Inset Units](https://proba.earth/inset-units) - [Registry](https://proba.earth/registry) - [All Proba products](https://proba.earth/products) - Services Show submenu for Services - [Implementation services](https://proba.earth/implementation-services) - [Proba Projects](https://proba.earth/proba-projects) - [Proba Quick scan](https://proba.earth/fertilizer-emission-calculator) - Resources Show submenu for Resources - [Blog](https://proba.earth/probas-blog) - [Proba Standard](https://proba.earth/proba-standard) - [Public Consultation](https://proba.earth/public-consultation) - [Approved VVBs](https://proba.earth/approved-vvbs) - Company Show submenu for Company - [About us](https://proba.earth/about-proba) - [Contact us](https://proba.earth/contact) - [Governance](https://proba.earth/proba-governance) - [Privacy policy](https://proba.earth/proba-privacy-policy) - [Get started](https://proba.earth/contact-proba) [Get started](https://proba.earth/contact-proba?hsLang=en) ## Q&A: International Fertilizer Association (IFA) and Proba project: The International Fertilizer Association (IFA) has partnered with Proba to launch a global initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the fertilizer industry. By leveraging enhanced-eciency fertilizers like nitrification and urease inhibitors, and using insetting strategies, this project seeks to cut emissions across the supply chain. Learn more about this initiative in [the official press release](https://proba.earth/hubfs/IFA_Proba_project_October_24.pdf?hsLang=en) before diving into the detailed Q&A below. Q1: What is the objective of the IFA and Proba partnership? A: To reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the fertilizer industry by incentivizing the adoption of enhanced-efficiency fertilizers. This includes nitrification and urease inhibitors, which reduce nitrogen losses and GHG emissions such as nitrous oxide (N2O). Through insetting strategies, the partnership aims to share the costs and reduce risks for stakeholders across the supply chain, facilitating wider adoption of these technologies. Q2: What role does carbon finance play in this project? A: Carbon finance is crucial for this initiative. The project operates within the voluntary carbon market to create economic incentives for adopting emission-reduction technologies. By using insetting, emissions reductions are accounted for within the supply chain itself. This allows companies downstream, such as food manufacturers, to report reduced scope 3 emissions and oer more sustainable products. Q3: What are nitrification and urease inhibitors, and why are they important? A: These inhibitors are compounds added to fertilizers that slow the breakdown of nitrogen, preventing it from being lost to the atmosphere. When nitrogen is lost from soil, it not only reduces crop productivity but also leads to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly nitrous oxide (N2O), which has a global warming potential 278 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2) over a 100-year period ([IPCC, AR5](https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/WG1AR5_Chapter08_FINAL.pdf)). These inhibitors can reduce GHG emissions from fertilizers by up to 50%, depending on regional conditions such as soil and crop type. Q4: Why is the fertilizer industry a significant focus for emissions reduction? A: The production and use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers play a considerable role in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. According to an analysis published in [Nature](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-18773-w#:~:text) , synthetic nitrogen fertilizers contribute 6.8% of emissions from the agri-food system annually (equivalent to 1.13 GtCO2e per year), representing 10.6% of agricultural emissions and 2.1% of total global GHG emissions. Additionally, a [Cambridge](https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/carbon-emissions-from-fertilisers-could-be-reduced-by-as-much-as-80-by-2050) study estimates that synthetic fertilizers and manure together emit 2.6 gigatonnes of carbon per year. [The Food and Agriculture Organization](https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/cc09fbbc-eb1d-436b-a88a-bed42a1f12f3/content)(FAO) reports that synthetic fertilizers contributed about 13% of emissions from agriculture in 2018, while the US  [Environmental Protection Agency](https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-overview)(EPA) states that agriculture, forestry, and land use contributed 22% of global emissions in 2019. The focus of this initiative is to address these emissions by promoting the adoption of enhanced-eciency technologies like nitrification and urease inhibitors, which can significantly reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. Q5: What is insetting, and how does it differ from offsetting? A: Insetting involves reducing GHG emissions within a company’s own supply chain. In this case, Proba’s insetting solution enables fertilizer manufacturers to adopt technologies, such as inhibitors, to reduce their emissions. Downstream partners, such as food companies, support these eorts by providing financial backing or incentives. These downstream partners can report the resulting emission reductions as improvements to their scope 3 emissions. Offsetting, on the other hand, involves investing in external projects to counterbalance emissions, often through reforestation or renewable energy initiatives. Many companies purchase carbon credits to oset emissions without taking significant steps to reduce their own emissions directly. Q6: Who is funding the project, and how will it be developed? A: The project is funded by 11 members of the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), who are also involved in its development. These members, who represent major players within the fertilizer industry, will contribute both financially and through active participation in the project’s ongoing efforts to create a unified and scalable approach to decarbonization in the fertilizer sector. Q7: How can downstream companies benefit from this project? A: Companies further down the supply chain, such as food producers and retailers, can report reduced scope 3 emissions, which are typically the hardest to address. This gives them the opportunity to market products with reduced carbon footprints, while also avoiding accusations of greenwashing, as the emissions reductions are verified within the supply chain itself. Q8: Why is the project focused on a sectoral approach rather than product-specific protocols? A: According to Achim Dobermann, Chief Scientist of IFA, a sectoral approach is more efficient and sustainable than a series of disconnected, product-specific protocols. By coordinating efforts at a larger scale, the project can drive systemic change across the global fertilizer industry, ensuring a consistent and scalable approach to reducing emissions. Q9: What challenges does the project face in achieving its goals? A: One of the key challenges is incentivizing the adoption of inhibitors and other enhanced-efficiency fertilizers at scale. While the technology exists and is proven to reduce emissions, the upfront costs and perceived risks can be barriers for farmers and other stakeholders in the supply chain. By leveraging carbon finance and insetting strategies, the project aims to de-risk this transition and create financial incentives for wider adoption. Q10: Is the food industry willing to absorb the cost of implementing low emission agriculture practices (e.g., usage of inhibitors)? A: The adoption of low-emission agricultural practices, such as using nitrification and urease inhibitors, comes with costs that may concern the food industry. However, this initiative is structured to address these challenges through insetting and carbon finance. By embedding emissions reductions within the supply chain, the project provides the building blocks that can help offset costs for farmers and stakeholders. Q11: Are inhibitors seen as more than just "another chemical" that can actually lead to a more sustainable crop production? A: Yes, inhibitors are much more than "just another chemical." They represent a key solution in the transition towards sustainable agriculture. By slowing biological processes that lead to nitrogen losses, inhibitors can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions without compromising crop yields. This makes them an essential tool in sustainable farming, enhancing soil health and reducing environmental impact. Their proven effectiveness, when applied correctly, positions them as a really good technology in crop production. Q12: Is this initiative in the overall interest of governments, food companies, and consumers? A: Absolutely. Governments are setting more stringent climate targets, and the agricultural sector, as a major emitter of GHGs, is under increasing scrutiny. This initiative directly supports national and international climate goals by offering a scalable solution to reduce emissions. For food companies, the project allows them to report verifiable reductions in scope 3 emissions, ensuring their products meet growing consumer demand for sustainability. Consumers, in turn, benefit from knowing their food is produced in an environmentally responsible manner. This creates a win-win situation across the board, aligning the interests of all parties involved. Q13: What role does the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) play in this project, and how does it future-proof the industry? A: The Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) supports this project by funding verified emissions reductions that go beyond what would have occurred under normal circumstances—this is known as additionality. Rather than responding to current regulations, the project helps companies proactively adopt sustainable practices, such as the use of inhibitors, preparing them for future environmental standards and making them more resilient to potential regulations. Q14: How do we ensure the impact of this initiative is real? A: The project ensures real impact through the use of proven technologies, such as nitrification and urease inhibitors, which have been scientifically validated to reduce emissions. Additionally, the initiative is backed by the development of a new quantification and verification standard that will be used to measure and report emissions reductions within the supply chain. By working with the voluntary carbon market and adhering to rigorous monitoring and reporting processes, the project guarantees that all emissions reductions are accurately tracked and verified, ensuring the credibility and transparency of the results. [![Proba. 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We offer the opportunity for reporting companies to claim these credits in their sustainability report, using them to lower the Scope 3 emissions associated with the purchased products. For most companies, Scope 3 emissions represent more than 75% of their total emissions, meaning that reducing them is fundamental to any Net Zero strategy." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do Proba Carbon Credits work?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The process involves several key steps: Companies achieve lower emissions than usual through sustainability projects. These reductions are verified by an independent third party. Verified reductions are then transformed into Proba Carbon Credits. Supply chain partners can purchase these credits to reduce their Scope 3 footprint." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Why do I need Proba Carbon Credits in the first place?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Proba Carbon Credits are crucial as they signify quantifiable and verified emissions reductions within the supply chain. They facilitate direct investment into sustainability projects, allowing companies to credibly reduce their Scope 3 emissions and support decarbonization initiatives." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Proba ensure the integrity of Carbon Credits to avoid double counting?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "To maintain the integrity and credibility of Proba Carbon Credits, Proba’s blockchain powered registry ensures that each credit is claimed only once, eliminating double counting. This rigorous tracking system guarantees that each unit of emission reduction is uniquely accounted for and prevents any possibility of double claiming." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Why is third-party verification crucial for Proba Carbon Credits?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Third-party verification, by accredited auditors, ensures that the emission reductions claimed through Proba Carbon Credits are real, measurable, and exceed baseline environmental performance. This validation process builds trust among all stakeholders using the Proba platform, ensuring the credits' authenticity and environmental impact." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How can companies benefit from purchasing Proba Carbon Credits?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Purchasing Proba Carbon Credits allows companies to directly invest in the decarbonization of their supply chain, reflecting a tangible commitment to sustainability. It enables them to meet their Scope 3 reduction targets more effectively, leveraging verified reductions achieved by their suppliers to enhance their own environmental credentials." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can Proba Carbon Credits drive further decarbonization in the supply chain?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Absolutely. By facilitating the transaction of verified emissions reductions as Proba Carbon Credits, this incentivizes both suppliers and customers to engage in and scale further decarbonization efforts. Suppliers are motivated to implement sustainable practices, and customers can directly support these efforts, which helps to get us to a low-carbon economy quicker." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do Proba Carbon Credits align with global climate goals and sustainability standards?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Proba Carbon Credits are designed to align with stringent global climate goals and the reporting standard of the GHG Protocol and SBTi. By ensuring that emissions reductions are real, verifiable, and impactful, Proba supports the global agenda to mitigate climate change, providing a credible and transparent tool for companies to contribute to a sustainable future." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the difference between offset credits and inset credits?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Offset credits and inset credits (sometimes referred to as impact units) offer two distinct pathways for companies to address their environmental impact, especially concerning greenhouse gas emissions. Offset credits allow for the compensation of unavoidable emissions by supporting external projects that reduce CO₂ or other GHGs. This can involve funding renewable energy initiatives, reforestation projects, or other endeavors aimed at absorbing GHGs. Typically, one carbon offset credit is equivalent to the reduction of one metric tonne of CO₂ or its GHG equivalent. On the other hand, inset credits focus on investments made within a company’s own value chain to decrease emissions. This approach emphasizes enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of internal processes, supply chains, and operations. Specifically, it targets the reduction of Scope 3 emissions, which encompass indirect emissions, such as those from the production of purchased goods and services, the life-cycle of products, and operations of investments not directly owned or controlled by the company." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Money: Market price of carbon credits", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "How much do carbon credits cost and how much do they sell for? The market price of Carbon Credits varies based on the market demand, the specific project from which the credits are generated, and the volume of credits being purchased. Prices are influenced by the complexity, location and impact of the emission reduction projects. If the credits aren't sold directly to your supply chain partners, Proba can connect you with trusted market makers and brokers to ensure you get a fair price for them." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Market: Buyers and meaning of credits", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Who is going to buy the credits, and what do they actually mean to these offtakers? Proba Carbon Credits are primarily purchased by businesses seeking to meet their sustainability targets, especially those related to Scope 3 emissions. These buyers are active in your supply chain. For these offtakers, purchasing Proba Carbon Credits means they are directly contributing to tangible, verified emission reductions within their supply chain. This not only helps them meet regulatory requirements and corporate sustainability goals but also positions them as leaders in the global shift towards sustainability." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Credibility: Trust and double-claiming", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Can you trust your carbon credits? What about the risks of double-claiming? Is Proba credible? Trust and credibility are the foundations of Proba's platform. We ensure the integrity of our carbon credits through rigorous, independent third-party verification processes that confirm the real-world impact of emission reductions. To mitigate the risk of double-claiming, we employ a robust tracking and auditing system that meticulously records the issuance, transfer, and retirement of credits on a public blockchain. Proba's credibility is backed by adherence to international ISO standards and our commitment to transparency, including an independent advisory board, which governs our Standard. This ensures that stakeholders can confidently participate in our program." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Process: Getting started with Proba Carbon Credits", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Where do I start? What do I need? What needs to be done? Who is involved? Step 1: Describe your carbon reduction initiatives Provide details about your carbon reduction, removal, or avoidance initiatives, including their expected carbon impact. We'll assist in registering your project on our platform. Step 2: Ensure transparency and credibility with Proba's verification process Let’s make sure your product’s or project’s climate impact gets validated by accredited 3rd party verifiers. . Step 3: Convert your climate impact into valuable carbon credits Once verified, we convert the verified CO₂e reductions or removals into distinct entitlements on a blockchain ledger, turning your efforts into a valuable asset, opening a new revenue stream and decarbonizing your supply chain. Step 4: Monetize your carbon credits The sale and transfer of your carbon credits helps reduce the buyer's footprint. Each carbon credit’s uniqueness ensures exclusive recognition of your efforts and helps to co-finance your more sustainable product or practice." } } ] } ```