About VP Capital

Our mission for positive impact is deeply rooted in our history. Explore how our current strategy and sustainability efforts have grown from this legacy.

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Carbon contribution: shifting from neutrality to responsibility

Carbon contribution: shifting from neutrality to responsibility

Rethinking our approach to climate accountability

In recent years, we have offset our full carbon footprint through certified carbon credits, earning a “carbon neutral” label in the process. Of course this always came after efforts to reduce emissions as much as possible – a principle we continue to uphold. But while offsetting once offered a credible way to take climate responsibility, times have changed. The voluntary carbon market is under growing scrutiny. Although many certified projects still deliver real and measurable impact, concerns around transparency, double-counting and limited oversight have raised important questions, especially around low-cost avoidance credits.

 

This growing awareness signifies a broader shift: from offsetting emissions to taking responsibility for them. At VP Capital, we no longer believe that neutrality claims – however well-intentioned – capture the complexity of climate impact. Instead, we asked ourselves a different question: how can we contribute to the transition in a way that is credible, transparent, and aligned with our values as an impact-first investor?

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From tonne-for-tonne to contribution

From 2024, we replaced our  our “tonne-for-tonne” model – where each tonne of emissions is ‘cancelled out’ through purchased credits – with a new approach: carbon contribution. We still measure our footprint across all scopes, including emissions from both our direct and indirect investments. But instead of buying certified credits to offset these emissions, we now take a contribution-based approach by investing in climate-positive projects that align with our strategy and values.

This shift gives us more flexibility to support impactful initiatives – from carbon removal and ecosystem restoration to regenerative agriculture and early-stage climate solutions. Crucially, many of these projects operate outside the boundaries of traditional carbon credit systems, yet have the potential to create long-term, systemic impact. 

To arrive at this new approach, we consulted with several external experts and knowledge partners. Their insights helped us navigate the evolving expectations around carbon compensation and validated our move away from a certificate-based model towards a more accountable and impact-driven practice.

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Translating ambition into action

To make this shift work in practice, we’ve introduced a new internal framework. We still calculate our total carbon footprint annually – including scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions – and assign a contribution value to each tonne of CO2 emitted. These values are differentiated based on our level of control and influence.

To account for emissions linked to our own operations, we apply a contribution of €100 per tonne, reflecting our ambition to lead by example, and the relatively limited size of this category. For direct investments, the contribution is set at €50 per tonne, acknowledging both our influence and the need to stimulate reduction across our value chain. For indirect emissions linked to fund investments, we apply a €10 contribution per tonne, recognising our limited control while still taking responsibility.

These internal prices were established based on a combination of external benchmarking and internal analysis. We considered reference prices from organisations such as the Fair Climate Fund, the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, WWF, and the TSVCM. We also reviewed emerging recommendations on the “social cost of carbon” and assessed how different pricing levels reflect the credibility and ambition of our contribution. Rather than choosing the lowest acceptable level, we opted for values that balance climate integrity, strategic alignment, and financial feasibility.

Each year, the resulting sum forms our climate contribution budget, which is then invested in carefully selected initiatives. This way, our emissions are not just measured – they are actively turned into support for tangible, long-term climate solutions.

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Moving beyond carbon neutrality

Letting go of the “carbon neutral” label was a deliberate choice. Certification can offer reassurance, but it does not guarantee real-world impact. By stepping away from formal labels, we free ourselves to focus on outcomes, not optics. We also increase transparency: we are clear about what we emit, and clear about how we contribute to reducing emissions.

At the same time, we are mindful that accountability can vary depending on where emissions occur. Our approach takes into account our level of influence – from our own operations to the companies we invest in and the wider economy. But wherever the emissions occur, our responsibility remains unchanged: to contribute meaningfully to solutions.

 

A broader role for investors

This change reflects a deeper shift in how we see our role as an investor. It’s not only about reducing our own impact. It’s about engaging with the wider system we’re part of. As a private family office with a long-term perspective, we see carbon contribution as a way to take responsibility without falling into the trap of false precision.

We continue to support our portfolio companies in measuring and reducing their own footprints. And we invite them into the same reflection: how can they contribute to net zero in a way that is honest, credible, and aligned with their mission?

This is not a finished model, and we are still learning. But we believe it brings us closer to the kind of climate action the world urgently needs: not just compensating for the past but investing in the future.

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Let’s exchange ideas

We know we’re not the only ones rethinking our approach. If you’re exploring new ways of dealing with residual emissions, or looking beyond neutrality frameworks, we’d be happy to exchange thoughts.

Because the most impactful solutions are based on working together.

Carbon contribution: shifting from neutrality to responsibility

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