Author: Rüdiger Meyer
Since the passage of the Anti-Greenwashing Act, one thing is clear: climate claims such as “climate-neutral” or “environmentally friendly” will only be permitted in the future if they are directly supported by verifiable evidence within the medium itself. The latest blog post from our partner Pina Earth clearly illustrates how much stricter the requirements for climate communication are becoming—and why companies must now switch to contribution claims that communicate real impact rather than mere promises (Read Pina’s blog).
Pina also develops and markets eva projects and has firsthand knowledge of the regulatory pitfalls. Her article makes it clear: A claim without substance is not only risky, but worthless. What matters is whether the project behind it supports the claim—in a sustainable, additional, and independently verified way.
At eva, we go one step further: We don’t just focus on strong claims, but explicitly on the substance behind them. As a standard-setter at the implementation level, we ensure that projects meet regulatory requirements—with clear MRV processes, publicly accessible project documentation, and a governance structure that is CRCF-compliant. After all, a claim without a solid project foundation cannot stand up to scrutiny, either legally or in terms of reputation.
Greenwashing occurs when companies or projects make claims without solid evidence: vague language, a lack of proof of additionality, or no independent verification. Such claims undermine trust and divert funding away from genuine climate protection measures.
How eva ensures true security: The pillars of our credibility
To ensure there is no room for greenwashing, we rely on a structure that goes far beyond the norm. Here are the core elements that make eva certificates so reliable:
1. Independent Governance (Certified by ICROA): Credibility requires external recognition. Our system meets the strict requirements of the ICROA (International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance). ICROA is the world’s leading authority on quality standards in the voluntary carbon market. It sets the guidelines for which climate protection projects may be considered credible. Our compliance with the ICROA Code officially certifies that eva has independent and impartial governance. This guarantees that professional integrity always takes precedence over commercial interests at eva.
2. Scientific Excellence Through the Technical Committee: Every method we use to calculate CO₂ storage is reviewed by an independent technical committee. This committee comprises experts who ensure that our standards align with the current state of the art and comply with strict EU guidelines (CRCF). A key aspect for credibility: These experts are selected directly by the stakeholders. This democratic selection process is an additional guarantee of maximum independence and the highest level of technical expertise.
3. Broad involvement of all stakeholders: Climate protection in forests can only succeed through collaboration. In the “Forest Climate Council,” we bring together nearly 40 representatives from the fields of forestry, science and technology, the market, as well as the public and civil society. This body meets regularly and advises the Technical Committee in particular on the development of new standards and methods and the adaptation of existing ones. This broad dialogue ensures that our standards are rigorous, practical, fair, and socially accepted.
4. Qualified Audits by Professionals: We don’t let “just anyone” conduct audits. Only independent certification bodies (so-called VVBs) that are accredited for the Forest Climate Standard are permitted to validate and verify eva projects. It is important to us that simply following general ISO standards is not sufficient given the complexity of forest projects. Our auditors must therefore, in addition to accreditation according to the international standard ISO 14065, demonstrate additional forestry expertise—for example, through recognized qualifications under FSC or PEFC standards. This ensures that the auditors can professionally assess the ecological conditions on-site and do not merely review abstract data. This provides genuine assurance and a robust assessment in the forest.
5. Maximum transparency in the Impact Registry: Our central registry is fully controlled by eva service gmbh and is the cornerstone of our traceability. Here, not only are the environmental impacts of each project—from trees to tons of CO₂—publicly documented, but ownership rights to the certificates are also managed seamlessly. Particularly important for preventing greenwashing: In the registry, certificates are permanently retired against specific climate protection claims. This ensures that every ton of CO₂ is used only once and that ownership can be clearly traced at all times.
6. A commitment to the public good as our foundation: eva service gmbh evolved from the eva foundation. As our majority owner, our foundation ensures that we do not sacrifice our values for short-term profits. An application for the foundation’s recognition as a nonprofit organization has already been submitted to the relevant foundation supervisory authority.
7. Extensive expertise: The eva Secretariat has many years of experience and unique expertise in the areas of standard-setting, certification, and forest management. This in-depth operational expertise ensures that all projects are not only theoretically sound but are also implemented smoothly and professionally in forestry practice.
What this means for you
For forest owners: You gain access to a system that provides legally sound, long-term financing for your valuable work in climate protection.
For certificate buyers: You are investing in real, measurable climate impact. With eva certificates, you can build a modern climate protection strategy based on scientifically substantiated claims that comply with the new EU regulations and effectively protect you from accusations of greenwashing.
For the public: You can be confident that wherever you see “eva,” you’re getting genuine natural performance.
Greenwashing cannot be combated simply through declarations of intent or by refraining, either partially or entirely, from discussing climate action.
Transparency, standardized MRV processes, and independent verification are the tools we use to make real climate impact measurable. eva certificates provide these building blocks and make climate protection credible and investment-ready—project by project.
