The short answer. It depends on how much carbon your soil gains, the error of that measurement, what the farm itself emits, the share held back in a buffer, and the price a buyer agrees. Credits are generated only where land sequesters, for each tonne sequestered after greenhouse gas emissions are deducted, with no advance promises on volumes, and credit sale price and timing are set by market demand, which Ecometric does not control.
Last reviewed September 2026.
Where a soil carbon credit comes from
A credit is not paid for a practice. It is issued for a measured result. Under our published methodology on the Regen Registry, the arithmetic runs in the same order every round:
- The gain in soil carbon. Soil samples and satellite mapping give the change in soil organic carbon stock across the project, in tonnes of carbon. Each tonne of carbon is multiplied by 3.67 to express it as carbon dioxide (tCO2e).
- The error comes off. The error of the mapping, measured against samples the AI never saw, is deducted from the gain.
- The farm’s emissions come off. Greenhouse gas emissions from the food and fibre produced on the project area during the round are calculated to IPCC Tier II or higher and deducted, along with any yield-related leakage.
- Only new gains count. The change is measured against the highest soil carbon stock of any earlier round, so carbon lost and then regained is not credited twice.
- A fifth goes into the buffer. Of the credits that result, 20% are held in a buffer pool as insurance against soil carbon being lost later. The other 80% can be sold.
So each credit is issued for each tonne sequestered after greenhouse gas emissions are deducted, and after the error has come off.
Why we do not promise volumes or prices
Credits are generated only where land sequesters, for each tonne sequestered after greenhouse gas emissions are deducted, with no advance promises on volumes, and credit sale price and timing are set by market demand, which Ecometric does not control. We charge for the work, never a commission on your carbon.
When credits turn into money
A monitoring round is sampled in the autumn–winter window, analysed and reported. Registry and credits follow on request: independent review, third-party verification, credits issued for each tonne sequestered after greenhouse gas emissions are deducted, and sold as insets or offsets on your terms. Buyers can purchase through digital sales platforms including the Regen Marketplace or over the counter.
What the measurement is worth before any credit
You can start on Measure alone. The measurement is the core value, allowing you to manage risk and reduce yield variability. It shows whether this year’s decisions built or lost soil resilience, it gives your buyer supplier-specific data to the standards their auditors will use from 2027, and it is measured resilience for lenders and insurers pricing your business. Across our monitoring programmes we are seeing an emerging relationship between soil organic carbon stock change and yield stability. A carbon credit is the cherry on top.
Before you count on carbon income
- Soil carbon can fall. A wet winter or a dry summer can take carbon out as well as put it in, and a year of loss means a year without credits.
- Emissions count against you. Fertiliser, fuel and livestock emissions are deducted every round, so cutting them adds to what can be credited.
- Registered projects carry obligations. Credits sold as offsets carry permanence responsibilities.
- Prices are set by the market. Credit sale price and timing are set by market demand, which Ecometric does not control.
Questions we are asked about carbon income
Can UK farmers sell carbon credits from their soil?
Yes, once the soil carbon has been measured, reported, verified and issued as credits on a registry. With Ecometric the credits are issued on the Regen Registry, for each tonne sequestered after greenhouse gas emissions are deducted, and you can sell them as insets to your own buyers or as offsets.
How much is a soil carbon credit worth?
Credit sale price and timing are set by market demand, which Ecometric does not control, so we do not publish a figure.
How do I sell carbon credits from my farm?
Measure first: a baseline, then annual rounds, each measured to full Registry standard. When there is real demand for insets or offsets, add Registry and credits: independent review, third-party verification, verified removals issued in your name for each tonne sequestered after greenhouse gas emissions are deducted, sold on your terms and commission-free. Buyers can purchase through digital sales platforms including the Regen Marketplace or over the counter.
Will I definitely earn something?
No. Credits are generated only where land sequesters, for each tonne sequestered after greenhouse gas emissions are deducted, with no advance promises on volumes. The measurement is the core value either way.
Do you take a share of the carbon income?
No. We are paid for the measurement, not a share of your carbon. Independent verification and Regen Registry fees are charged at cost.
How do I find out what my farm could produce?
Measure it. The baseline sets your starting point, and each annual round shows the change. Send us your SBI number and your hectares and we will send a written quote within two working days. Minimum project area is 150 hectares. Get a quote.
Part of our guide to soil carbon measurement for farms. Related: soil carbon testing for your farm · soil carbon credits for UK farmers · questions to ask a carbon scheme · how the accuracy is stated
