Carbon Offsetting Validation Services
Framework Description
SUPC's Carbon Offsetting Validation Services framework gives member universities access to carbon offsetting and validation providers that support net zero strategies. It has three lots, Offsetting, Validation Services 1 and Validation Services 2, covering project validation, verification against standards such as Gold Standard and Verra, portfolio advice and sourcing, and reporting support. It started on 12 April 2023 and runs until 11 October 2027 with no extension.
Context & Use Case
Universities with net zero commitments use it when they need to offset residual emissions and want assurance that the credits they buy are genuine and support their claims. Sustainability teams may commission validation of a single project, advice on building an offset portfolio, or support with the reporting that goes to governing bodies and into public sustainability statements.
Scope of Services
Offsetting lot Validation Services 1 lot Validation Services 2 lot Carbon offset project validation Verification against recognised standards, such as Gold Standard and Verra Portfolio advice and sourcing Reporting support
Lots
Offsetting; Validation Services 1; Validation Services 2
Who Can Apply
Suits carbon market consultancies and validation and verification specialists familiar with Gold Standard, Verra and similar schemes, and able to advise non-specialist clients. Applications for this framework are closed; the next opportunity is the re-tender around 11 October 2027, a year from now.
Buyer Benefits
Offsetting attracts scrutiny from students, staff and the press, so universities want independent checks before they spend money on credits. The framework gives them validators on agreed terms without a niche tender, and links validation to reporting, so the evidence behind a net zero claim is documented and can stand up to challenge.
Next Steps
Appointed providers should work with university sustainability teams on validation and reporting, and record outcomes for future case studies. Others have around a year before the 11 October 2027 end date: gather references showing standards-based verification, set out your independence and conflict-of-interest controls, and watch SUPC's framework page for the successor.
How Athena Can Help
For a niche service like offset validation, evaluators need to understand your method quickly. Athena's help with quality answers explains your verification approach and independence in plain terms, and a Bid Health Check finds weak spots before submission.
With a year until the end date, our 6–12 month framework pipeline plans your entry to the successor alongside other environmental frameworks, and Athena's sustainability tender support covers direct university tenders, including the social value answers.
