Translation guide
A carbon credit is a permit that allows the holder to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. This entry explains how to refer to carbon credits in Japanese, including the standard term, related concepts, and usage in environmental and business contexts.
The standard term for a tradable certificate representing the right to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide or an equivalent amount of another greenhouse gas.
This is the most common and direct translation of 'carbon credit'. It is widely used in business, environmental policy, and media.
企業は炭素クレジットを購入して排出量を相殺できる。
Companies can purchase carbon credits to offset their emissions.
The katakana loanword from English. It is also common, especially in international contexts or when emphasizing the global carbon market.
カーボンクレジットの取引が活発化している。
Trading of carbon credits is becoming more active.
A permit issued by a government or regulatory body under a cap-and-trade system, allowing the holder to emit a specific amount of greenhouse gases.
Literally 'emission quota' or 'emission allowance'. This term is used in official and regulatory contexts, such as emissions trading schemes.
政府は企業に排出枠を割り当てた。
The government allocated emission allowances to companies.
Literally 'emission right'. Often used interchangeably with 排出枠, but can imply a tradable right rather than a fixed quota. Common in discussions of emissions trading.
排出権取引は京都議定書で導入された。
Emissions trading was introduced under the Kyoto Protocol.
A credit generated by a project that reduces, avoids, or removes greenhouse gas emissions, used to compensate for emissions elsewhere.
The katakana term for 'carbon offset'. It refers specifically to credits from voluntary offset projects, such as reforestation or renewable energy.
航空会社はカーボンオフセットプログラムを提供している。
The airline offers a carbon offset program.
A more literal translation combining 'carbon' and 'offset'. It is less common but may appear in technical documents.
このプロジェクトは炭素相殺クレジットを生成する。
This project generates carbon offset credits.
While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably in English, Japanese distinguishes them more clearly. 炭素クレジット (or カーボンクレジット) is the general term for a tradable certificate. 排出枠 specifically refers to allowances under a regulatory cap-and-trade system. カーボンオフセット refers to voluntary credits from emission reduction projects. Use the term that best fits the context.
EUの排出枠価格が上昇した。
The price of EU emission allowances rose.
個人もカーボンオフセットを購入できる。
Individuals can also purchase carbon offsets.