MRV in Carbon Markets
Carbon & Climate Finance
Definition
MRV stands for measurement, reporting, and verification: the process used to quantify and confirm a carbon project's emissions reductions or removals.
Why it matters
Carbon credits are only as strong as the evidence behind the ton. Weak MRV creates over-crediting, double-counting, and buyer-claim risk.
Technical details
Core components
Measurement defines how carbon impact is quantified.
Reporting packages the project data, assumptions, and monitoring results.
Verification uses an independent reviewer or validation body to test the claim against a methodology.
What to inspect
Review the methodology, monitoring reports, verifier identity, sampling approach, uncertainty treatment, leakage assumptions, registry status, and whether delivered credits match the buyer's contracted claim.