Double Counting Carbon Credits in India: CCTS, JCM and RECs
Can one Indian biogas plant earn credits under both CCTS and the India-Japan JCM? How double counting is blocked, and the checks buyers should run.
Take one compressed biogas (CBG) plant in India. It is eligible for India's CCTS offset mechanism. It is also an eligible activity under the India-Japan Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). One tonne of avoided emissions, two possible ledgers.
One Plant, Two Ledgers
| | CCTS offset CCC | JCM credit |
|---|---|---|
| Used by | Indian obligated entities | Japan, towards its climate target |
| Registry | Grid-India ICM registry | JCM registries |
| Accounting | Stays in India's books | Article 6.2: India makes a corresponding adjustment |
The two are separate systems. The danger is the same tonne counted on both sides.
What the Rules Say
- CCTS offsets require exclusivity: a project must not be registered in another carbon market. The Green Credit Programme is the stated exception.
- JCM runs under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, with national registries to track transfers.
We could not find a published procedure showing how the CCTS registry cross-checks JCM, REC or voluntary registries before issuing a CCC. Until one is published, the check falls on the buyer.
The Buyer's Registry Checklist
For renewable projects, ask whether the same megawatt-hours also earn RECs or I-RECs. For CBG and green hydrogen, ask about JCM. New state carbon credit schemes add one more ledger to check. Get a written exclusivity declaration from the developer. Exporters claiming credits for CBAM or BRSR face the same question.
ICT runs registry cross-checks before you sign, and our Risk Profiling grade flags any project already listed in another system.
Free registry check: send the project name to contact@internationalcarbontrade.com before you buy, and we'll search the registries above.
Keep Reading
- CCTS Offset Projects: Why an Approved Project Isn't a CCC Yet
- Green Hydrogen Standards in India and CCTS
- CBAM Carbon Tax Deduction: Can CCTS Cut Your EU CBAM Bill?
Our CCTS Services
International Carbon Trade (ICT) is an India-based CCTS marketplace and dMRV platform offering 18 end-to-end services, from BEE ICM Portal registration and ACVA verification to buying, selling and banking CCCs on India's power exchanges.
| Register and Set Up | Monitor, Verify, File | Trade and Plan |
|---|---|---|
| BEE ICM Portal registration | dMRV platform, monthly data | Buying CCCs on power exchanges |
| Grid-India registry account | ACVA selection and booking | Selling or banking surplus CCCs |
| IEX / PXIL / HPX onboarding | Verification evidence pack | Offset CCC sourcing |
| Monitoring plan (BEE template) | E2 form and GHG emission report | Risk profiling (AAA–B) |
| Target gap and penalty analysis | Form A and Form D filings | Abate, buy or bank strategy |
| Five-year GHG reduction plan | BEE and registry query handling | CBAM and BRSR reporting |
For any services related to CCTS, contact International Carbon Trade:
- Email: contact@internationalcarbontrade.com
- Phone: +91 90544 01707
- Website: internationalcarbontrade.com
- LinkedIn: Follow International Carbon Trade
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is double counting of carbon credits?
- Counting the same tonne of emission reduction twice, for example as a domestic CCC and as an internationally transferred credit.
- Can a project earn CCTS offset credits and JCM credits?
- CCTS offset rules require that a project is not registered in another carbon market, except the Green Credit Programme.
- What is the India-Japan JCM?
- A bilateral crediting mechanism under Article 6.2. The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on 7 August 2025 and the Rules of Implementation adopted on 8 June 2026.
- Which projects are eligible under the India-Japan JCM?
- Reported activities include renewable energy, energy efficiency, compressed biogas, renewable hydrogen and ammonia, and carbon capture and storage.
- What is a corresponding adjustment?
- An accounting entry under Article 6 so that a transferred mitigation outcome is counted by the buying country, not by India.
- How can ICT help avoid double counting?
- International Carbon Trade cross-checks registries and rates offset projects for delivery risk. Contact contact@internationalcarbontrade.com or +91 90544 01707.