Carbon credits haven’t always had the best reputation. In addition to criticisms that they help some to mask their true carbon footprint, the bigger concern is with poorly-run projects – the ones that not only fail to deliver on their environmental promises, but may also be detrimental to the communities within which they are sited.

With many of them sitting alongside well-run projects, it can be tough for some investors, particularly those who are newer to the game, to know which is which. A well-meaning purchase of carbon credits to set off the emissions of one’s air travel, for example, could end up causing more harm than good.

The Business Times spoke to project managers whose enterprises span various causes and geographical regions to get a better sense of the work that’s done on the ground, and for a firmer grasp of the attributes of good-quality projects.