Originally published in 2021. Updated for context in August 2025.
The world of carbon credits, carbon offsets, and environmental audits can be difficult to navigate, but these tools are essential to reducing emissions and building a more sustainable future.
To help demystify these concepts, North Forge sat down with Alex Stuart, President of Carbon Block™ Inc., to learn how the company is using technology to automate environmental audits and reduce the cost of creating certified carbon offsets.
Understanding Carbon Credits and Carbon Offsets
North Forge: What is a carbon credit, and why does it matter?
Alex Stuart: A carbon credit is created when pollution that would have entered the atmosphere is prevented. One carbon credit, also called a carbon offset, typically represents one tonne of carbon dioxide or its equivalent that was avoided or removed.
These credits can come from many types of projects, including renewable energy, switching to cleaner fuels, increasing energy efficiency, or electrifying transportation. Governments, utilities, and businesses can all participate in creating carbon credits.
North Forge: And how do carbon offsets support environmental goals?
Alex Stuart: Carbon offsets allow organizations and individuals to support projects that reduce emissions, even if they can’t reduce all emissions themselves. But creating them involves a verification process, and those environmental audits are often costly and complex.
Carbon Block’s Innovation
North Forge: How is Carbon Block improving that process?
Alex Stuart: Our technology simplifies and automates environmental audits, making them faster and more affordable. We produce high-quality, ISO-compliant audits that meet regulatory and market requirements. This removes a major barrier and opens the door for more organizations to participate in offset creation.
It’s a win for project developers, offset buyers, and regulators.
Scaling a Climate Tech Startup with North Forge
North Forge: What role has North Forge played in your journey?
Alex Stuart: The support from North Forge was essential. We received guidance on navigating funding opportunities, including our successful application for Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) funding. That helped us move from concept to commercialization.
Through the Founders Program, we had access to expert mentors, entrepreneurs-in-residence, and a strong network. That community kept us focused on our mission and gave us access to insights we would not have found elsewhere.
Building a Low-Carbon Future
Carbon Block is helping businesses accelerate decarbonization by reducing the barriers to carbon offset creation. By leveraging automation, the company is improving both the speed and quality of environmental reporting, making it easier to take action on climate goals.
With continued support from North Forge’s innovation ecosystem and funding network, Carbon Block is creating economic opportunity while helping companies reduce their carbon footprint.
To learn about Carbon Block visit carbonblock.io. To learn more about the North Forge Founders Program click here.
