Revolutionising carbon credits for a future beyond offsetting
What is Balance?
The path to a brighter future
Thanks to our actions, we are nearing biodiversity and climatic tipping points. But the climate crisis can’t be solved by the broken offsetting system. Our methodology transforms carbon credits by increasing the time scale of forest protection from 40 to 99 years in line with the life cycle of CO2 in the atmosphere. Our three pillars are nature restoration, community empowerment, and tackling the root causes of climate breakdown. This means funding and maintaining sustainable forest ecosystems that nurture wildlife, provide local jobs and capture a verified tonnage of carbon. When one business adopts Balance, it causes a ripple effect—partners and suppliers follow suit, multiplying the impact across entire supply chains; one by one, tonne by tonne.
Efficiency, Reduction, Balance; one by one, tonne by tonne
Efficiency first, reduction second, then Balance. Once you’ve streamlined your business operations and reduced your carbon footprint, Balance helps you address what remains by restoring nature and supporting local economies. Offsets became a ‘pay-to-pollute’ scam. Balance is about protecting the future.
Fixing a broken system
Imagine creating something to save the planet, only to watch it turn into a monster. That’s what happened to Dan Morrell. In 1988, in a bid to address the growing climate crisis, Dan co-coined the term ‘carbon neutral’ and founded Future Forests, a leading carbon credit company. It was a great success—over 250 blue-chip businesses went carbon neutral, and even Leonardo DiCaprio became America’s first carbon neutral citizen. But something went wrong.
As carbon trading took off, Dan started to see the flaws in the system. Traders were making money, but ignoring biodiversity and communities. Not only that, carbon credits were linked to a measly 40-year guarantee, which is not even half the life cycle of CO2 in the atmosphere. Combined, these issues meant that the business Dan created to tackle the climate crisis was not fulfilling its purpose. Disheartened, Dan left the company.
Rather than licking his wounds, he gathered a team of experts–including James Cameron, barrister and senior negotiator of the Kyoto Protocol, and Professor Felix Dodds, one of the architects of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. They focused their energy on creating a new approach.
After years of work, drawing on their decades of collective experience to solve the thorny problems at the heart of the carbon finance industry, they came up with a better way: Balance. Combining biodiversity, socio-economic benefits and climate action, Balance moves beyond offsets, empowering businesses and individuals to become part of a movement for change.
The
Balance
Team
Daniel Morrell
CEO & Founder
David Pullan
Head of Marketing
Steve Middleton
Technology Director
Oliver Rieche
Director of Legal Affairs, Carbon Procurement & NDC Partnership
Joseph Kelly
Finance Director
Kyle Edwards
Technology Consultant
JohnMichael Jurgensen
Research & Government Affairs
Sean Gardner
Head of Web3 Development
Arif Haq
Brand Portfolio Development
Tara Watney
Project Manager
Jessica Sue Rasmussen
Non-Executive Director
James Cameron
Carbon and Climate Advisor
Martin Glover (Youth)
Production & Music Development
John Shaw
Copy and Tone of Voice
Felix Dodds
Advisor Methodology Development. UNFCCC/COP
Sir John Rose
Advisor
Standards
& partners
We collaborate with leaders in climate science and forestry to enhance existing standards through our six-point methodology. Our focus on biodiversity and community wellbeing ensures each Balance Unit contributes to lasting environmental and social change, not just carbon reduction. These are just some of the standards and partners we work with.
Staying ahead of the curve
Most sectors aren’t regulated yet, but they will be. Balance helps businesses prepare for future regulations with our peer-reviewed approach. Carbon credits put the wellbeing of the planet in the hands of the financial services community. No more. By supporting nature restoration and local economic growth to address climate change, we help you stay ahead as the drive to net zero intensifies.
Woodland Carbon Code
The Woodland Carbon Code is the UK standard for climate change mitigation via woodland projects, ensuring transparency and long-term carbon storage. Every Balance project in the UK meets this code and builds on it by creating additional biodiversity and socioeconomic impact.
PLAN VIVO
Plan Vivo has been supporting communities on the forefront of the climate crisis for over 25 years. Aligning with our methodology, setting the standard for projects that protect and restore the environment, tackle climate change and support climate-sensitive communities.
Forest of Marston Vale
As a long-term partner, the Forest of Marston Vale demonstrates Balance’s commitment to lasting biodiversity restoration. This partnership shows how sustainable forestry can surpass carbon capture to regenerate ecosystems and empower local communities over the long term.