A leading Australasian university with a long-standing commitment to mitigating travel-related emissions associated with both domestic and international travel worked with CEEZER to source high-quality carbon credits that align with its climate goals.

The challenge

The university needed to address Scope 3 emissions from commercial airline flights and ground transportation through a strategic carbon credit portfolio. Despite budget constraints, the team sought to maximize environmental impact while ensuring rigorous due diligence based on reliable data.

Key priorities included:

• Transparency regarding additionality risks, pricing, and project information
• Comprehensive screening processes
• Clear communication capabilities for internal stakeholders, including students, employees, and leadership — all of whom demand credible, verified information about carbon credit purchases due to growing awareness of carbon markets

The solution

The university selected CEEZER as its partner for several compelling reasons.

“CEEZER’s team was upfront about all the specific offset projects it pitched to us, including in-depth data on its due diligence process, project screening, and each project’s additionality risks,” explained a university representative. “We got the honest reality about what exactly we were buying, which was a top priority.” 

The university particularly valued CEEZER's transparent platform, which provides detailed project information including:

• Location and project type
• Credit availability
• Oxford categories
• SDG alignment
• Additionality assessment
• Co-benefits analysis

Developing the custom portfolio

Working within the university’s budget constraints, CEEZER secured a strategic selection of primarily avoidance projects with a 5 percent removal share in its 2023 and 2024 portfolios. 

The final portfolio included only high-quality avoidance and removal projects within Oxford Categories 1, 2, and 4, spanning nature-based and renewable energy activities. CEEZER tailored the selection to meet the university's specific requirements regarding volume, budget, certification, credit availability, project type, co-benefits, and geographic location.

Aligned with the university's strategic values, the portfolio emphasized specific social and biodiversity benefits:

• 66 percent of projects featured certified community benefits
• 100 percent demonstrated community benefits beyond carbon
• Projects reflected the university's commitment to ecosystem protection and 100 percent renewable electricity
• 2 out of 3 projects conserved or restored natural ecosystems, carbon sinks, and biodiversity in China and Indonesia

Looking ahead, the university will look for opportunities to increase the share of removal projects, in line with the latest scientific guidance.

Ongoing support

A key feature of partnership is the ongoing support the university receives from its dedicated account manager at CEEZER.

Monthly meetings facilitate:

• Regular portfolio status updates
• Guidance on carbon market trends
• Insights into market shifts and pricing forecasts
• Strategic information affecting the university's carbon strategy

CEEZER's work with the university exemplifies the value of transparent, relationship-based partnerships. This approach fosters honest dialogue and ensures alignment between the carbon credit portfolio and the university's broader sustainability objectives.