Environmental offset trading platform and method

A method of trading and accounting for environmental offset credits established in two or more different offset markets, the method comprising:

• registering, in a database, a plurality of environmental offset credits established in the two or more different offset markets;
• assigning each of said plurality of environmental offset credits with a unique identifier;
• receiving a bid or ask quote for one of the plurality of environmental offsets established in one of the two or more different offset markets;
• matching a buyer with a seller of said one of the plurality of environmental offset credits based, at least in part, on the received bid or ask quote;
• if the seller has an amount of environmental offset credits sufficient for a trade, executing a trade of said one of the plurality of environmental offset credits between the buyer and the seller;
• and
• otherwise, providing a notification of insufficient environmental offset credits to carry out the trade to at least the seller.

A computer-implemented platform useful in accounting for environmental offset credit trades made in two or more offset markets, the trading platform comprising:

• one or more processors;
• a memory operatively coupled to the one or more processors, said memory comprising a structured database therein configured to store information relating to one or more environmental offset credits established in the two or more different offset markets;
• an interface to the one or more processors configured to forward a bid and/or ask quote for one of the two or more environmental offset credits to said one or more processors, said one or more processors matching a buyer with a seller of said one of the two or more environmental offset credits based, at least in part, on the received bid or ask quote,
• said one of the two or more environmental offset credits being established in one of the two or more different offset markets;
• wherein, if the seller has an amount of environmental offset credits sufficient for the trade, the one or more processors generates a signal that indicates, to at least the seller, that sufficient environmental offsets are available to carry out a trade of said one of the two or more environmental offset credits between the buyer and the seller, and
• wherein, if the seller does not have an amount of environmental offset credits sufficient for the trade, the one or more processors generates a signal that indicates, to at least the seller, that insufficient environmental offsets are available to carry out the trade.

A method of converting an environmental offset credit, the method comprising:

• retiring an offset credit verified under a first verification standard;
• verifying a new offset credit under a second verification standard, said new offset credit being essentially equivalent to the first offset credit at least in terms of representing a desired reduction in emissions;
• and
• thereafter, registering the new offset credit in a registry to a owner thereof.