Carbon Credit Card Comparison: Top 6 Cards in 2023 (Live Chart)

Georgette Kilgore headshot, wearing 8 Billion Trees shirt with forest in the background.Written by Georgette Kilgore

Carbon Offsets Credits | January 11, 2024

Woman holding a large carbon credit card seeks a comparison at a carbon neutral credit card salesman at a desk in a field.

Carbon credit cards allow users to make small personal changes to their purchasing habits by encouraging them to buy items that reduce their carbon footprint. Those small individual changes eventually add up to make huge changes in environmental conservation.

But, trying to find the best carbon credit card can be overwhelming. There are dozens of different cards on the market, all with different benefits and drawbacks.

To help you make a decision, this carbon credit card comparison list outlines the top 6 cards so that you can compare them side by side.

Ranked: Top 6 Carbon Credit Cards Now

1

Climate Credit Card: Best Overall

This card ranks highest for it’s eco-friendly impact.

2

Mastercard Carbon Credit Card: Best No Fee Card

Mastercard Carbon Credit Card: Best No Fee Card

3

Aspiration Credit Card - Aspiration Zero Credit Card: Best Carbon Neutral Card

This carbon neutral card actually plants trees when you use it!

4

Mastercard Doconomy: Best Cash Back

With 0% APR for 12 months!

5

Do Black Credit Card: Best Metal Card and Sign Up Bonus

Get $200 after you spend $500 with this metal credit card.

6

American Express Green Card: Best Rewards

As always, American Express delivers excellent rewards.

What Is Visa Carbon Footprint?

Visa is a global payment company that has been working with stakeholders to achieve carbon neutrality through various services under its belt. It is a climate-positive company that has committed to supporting sustainability by collaborating with companies involved in projects like the Amazon Rainforest Carbon Offset Project.

The company announced in 2020 that it had reached carbon neutrality throughout its operations and planned to reach net zero emissions by 2040.2 Therefore, the visa carbon footprint involves the carbon emissions of the company in its operations and its users, which have increasingly reduced since it started the sustainability initiatives.7

How Carbon Credit Cards Work

Carbon credit cards work by offsetting your carbon emissions. For every pound of carbon dioxide you produce, the card offsets it by investing in renewable energy projects.3 These projects help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Using a carbon credit card can help make a difference in the fight against climate change.

Different Types of Carbon Credit Cards

There are a few different types of carbon credit cards. The most common type is the personal carbon credit card. This type of card is for individuals who want to offset their own carbon footprint.

There are also business carbon credit cards. These are for businesses that want to offset their carbon emissions. The local government carbon credit cards help local governments offset their emissions from public transportation and other municipal services.

The Best Carbon Credit Cards

There are a few different carbon credit cards on the market. The best one for you will depend on your needs and preferences. Some of the best carbon credit cards include the Mastercard Carbon Credit Card, The Citi® Double Cash Card, and the Aspiration zero credit card.

1
Climate Credit Card
Best Overall

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Climate Credit Card Review: Comes with your own personal footprint calculator and reasonable rates, and helps the environment with every purchase.
Climate Credit Card Limit: No limit for qualified users.
Climate Credit Card Benefits: Detailed feedback on purchase impact, funds green projects.
Climate Credit Card Approval: Fast
Climate Credit Card Application: Easy
Climate Credit Card Credit Score Needed: Good credit score required for approval.
Climate Credit Card Annual Fee: None
Rating: 5 out of 5

The Climate Credit Card is an award-winning card with a climate-carbon footprint calculator from a Swiss company that aims to influence climate-neutral shopping.1 It has a climate calculator that monitors your purchases and calculates the carbon emissions linked to your purchases. The company offsets the climate impacts by investing in projects that support emission reduction.

The initiative educates consumers on the impact of their carbon emissions and contributes to climate projects worldwide to create real change. The card comes in two types. One is for businesses, and the other one is for private clients.

2
Mastercard Carbon Credit Card
Best No Fee Card

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Mastercard Carbon Credit Card Reviews: No fees andreward points the pile up. This card gets high marks for eco-friendliness and impact.
Mastercard Carbon Credit Card Limit: Yes, limits are issued by the bank
Mastercard Carbon Credit Card Benefits: Rewards and cash back bonuses
Mastercard Carbon Credit Card Approval: Fast
Mastercard Carbon Credit Card Application: Easy
Mastercard Carbon Credit Card Credit Score Needed: Good or excllent credit score required
Mastercard Carbon Credit Card Annual Fee: No
Rating: 5 out of 5

The Mastercard Carbon Credit Card is one of the top carbon credit cards available today. This card allows cardholders to earn rewards points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases. Cardholders can also redeem their points for travel, merchandise, or cash back.

There are no annual fees associated with this card.

Carbon Credit Card Engraving

Carbon credit cards are engraved with the carbon footprint of the cardholder.5 The carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by the cardholder’s activities. The carbon footprint is used to calculate the carbon credit, and the carbon credits are used to offset the emissions of greenhouse gases.

Carbon credits can be traded in the open market and can be used to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. There are other ways of engraving carbon credit cards that involve upgrading the cards into metal cards.

3
Aspiration Credit Card - Aspiration Zero Credit Card
Best Carbon Neutral Card

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Aspiration Credit Card Reviews: The annual fees are a drawback, but overall the card is excellent. Ranks high for eco-consciousness.
Aspiration Credit Card Limit: Yes, amount limits apply.
Aspiration Credit Card Benefits: Cash back and a welcome bonus.
Aspiration Credit Card Approval: Fast
Aspiration Credit Card Application: Easy
Aspiration Credit Card Credit Score Needed: Good to excellent (670+) required for approval.
Aspiration Credit Card Annual Fee: Yes, annual fees apply.
Rating: 5 out of 5

Aspiration is a credit card company that offers various cards, each with its unique benefits. The Aspiration Summit card, for example, offers cash back on all purchases, no matter where you shop. The Aspiration World Elite Mastercard, on the other hand, offers rewards points that can be redeemed for travel and other expenses.

But what sets Aspiration apart from other credit card companies is its commitment to sustainability. Aspiration is a carbon-neutral company, which means it offsets its carbon emissions by investing in clean energy projects.

It also offers a carbon-neutral credit card, the Aspiration Redwood Mastercard. This card allows cardholders to offset their carbon emissions from their everyday spending.

Then there is the Aspiration zero credit card that gives you a cashback of 1% on all purchases if you achieve zero carbon footprint with your purchases. They have an app that tracks the carbon offset on the things you purchase. The company also plants trees on your behalf when you make purchases using your card.

Read More About: Carbon Removal Offsets Explained: Capture Emissions and Erase Your Ecological Footprint (Complete Guide)

If you’re looking for a credit card that’s good for the environment, all the above cards from Aspirations, like the Aspiration Redwood Mastercard, are a great option.

Aspiration Credit Card Requirements

There is important information you must have before you apply for the Aspiration credit card. One of the things you need to know is your credit score. It will determine whether you qualify for the card or not.

You also need to know your social security number and your annual income. The card also has an annual fee of about sixty dollars, and you will pay a foreign transaction fee.

Is the Aspiration Credit Card Better Than Other Cards?

That depends on what you want to achieve with the card. While some features like the welcome bonus and the cashback are amazing, others like the annual fees and the weak earning power discredit the card. Aspiration plants trees for every purchase the users make, which is a great initiative in saving the planet.

You can also redeem rewards at $1 per tree, making the card one of the best in terms of contribution to carbon neutrality. The card requires you to pay for the sustainability goals; if you do not have a problem with that, it is the card for you.

Carbon Co. Skins Cards Review

You can customize your card using the highly durable and attractive ways Carbon Co Skins provides. The company offers a metal credit card that is fully customizable and removes the plastic material of most cards and replaces it with a unique metal design.

The best thing about the cards is that you can come up with your own design and will be able to see how the card will look through the live editor. Besides the appeal and durability, the user can also choose the color they want on their card, with colors like gold, black, silver, and bronze.

The option to create your own design allows you to go home with a card that you like. If you do not have a design, the company also offers pre-designed cards, and you can check on the list to get what you want. You have unlimited options to customize your card and make it as unique as possible.

Carbon Co Skins has a strict safety protocol to ensure that once you send your card to them, you will get it back intact. The only thing that will change will be the appearance of the card. They assure you of the safe return of your card after upgrading it to a durable and attractive card.

However, there are a few downsides to the card, which include usability problems. Most ATM machines are not designed for heavy material on cards, which could affect card ejection after transactions. Another downside is that not all chips can be transformed into a metal credit card.

It is essential to confirm whether your chip is on the list of chips that the company works on before you request them to upgrade the card. That way, you can avoid paying for the service when your card does not qualify for the conversion.

4
Mastercard Doconomy
Best Cash Back

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Mastercard Doconomy Reviews: Users rank this card great for the features and sustainability.
Mastercard Doconomy Limit: Yes, determined by the bank.
Mastercard Doconomy Benefits: Cashback and rewards.
Mastercard Doconomy Approval: Fast
Mastercard Doconomy Application: Easy
Mastercard Doconomy Credit Score Needed: Excellent score required for approval.
Mastercard Doconomy Annual Fee: No annual fee.
Rating: 5 out of 5

The Mastercard Doconomy card is a great choice for those looking for a carbon credit card. This card offers a number of features that make it a top choice.

This can help you save money on interest charges if you plan to carry a balance on your card. Second, the Mastercard Doconomy card rewards you with 1% cash back on all purchases. This means you can earn cash back on every purchase you make with your card.

Third, the Mastercard Doconomy card has no annual fee.

This means you can keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket each year. Finally, the Mastercard Doconomy card comes with many built-in protections, including fraud protection and extended warranty protection. These protections can help you feel confident and secure when using your card.

Overall, the Mastercard Doconomy is a great choice for those looking for a carbon credit card.

Laser Engraved Metal Bank Cards

Laser engraved metal bank cards are high quality and look prestigious. They are also easily customizable, making it easy for anyone to have a unique bank card. Once the card has been upgraded to a metal one, it will remain fully functional and still look great.

Nowadays, you can use your metal bank card in almost all the banks. The best thing about laser engraved metal bank cards is their durability. Unlike the plastic ones that might break or rub off, metal cards cannot easily get damaged. Therefore, they give you service longer than any other type of card.

They are also great to look at, which makes you look elegant when using your card anywhere. It is a great way to keep your credit card looking great for a long time.

And best of all…no plastic had to be made to make them, and they can be recycled.

5
Do Black Credit Card
Best Sign Up Bonus

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Do Black Credit Card Reviews: Users rank this card goodm because of foreign transaction fees and higher interest rates, but love the metal carbon credit card.
Do Black Credit Card Limit: Yes, the card has limits set.
Do Black Credit Card Benefits: Cashback and rewards.
Do Black Credit Card Approval: Fast
Do Black Credit Card Application: Easy
Do Black Credit Card Credit Score Needed: High credit score required for approval.
Do Black Credit Card Annual Fee: No annual fee.
Rating: 5 out of 5

Do Black is a credit card that offers cash back on all purchases, plus a bonus for spending in certain categories.

There is no annual fee for this card. It also has a 0% APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.4 After that, the APR will be 14.49% – 24.49% variable.

This card also has a $200 sign-up bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. The biggest downside of this card is that it has foreign transaction fees of 3%. So if you plan to use this card while traveling outside of the United States, you’ll want to keep that in mind.

What Is a Black Credit Card?

A black credit card is a luxury card set aside for the high earners who have spent and paid close to half a million dollars. It is, therefore, an exclusive card reserved for the wealthiest people by the American Express provider.

High net worth is one of the qualifications for the card, and only a few individuals have the card. It gets you benefits like huge credit limits, unique travel packages, and personal concierge services. They also come with a hefty annual fee, which is why they are only for people that can afford them.

6
American Express Green Card
Best Rewards

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American Express Green Card Reviews: American Express carbon credit card gets great marks for service and usability.
American Express Green Card Limit: No limits.
American Express Green Card Benefits: Reward Points
American Express Green Card Approval: Fast
American Express Green Card Application: Easy
American Express Green Card Credit Score Needed: 690-850 (Good - Excellent) scores required for approval.
American Express Green Card Annual Fee: Annual fee is $150.
Rating: 4 out of 5

The American Express Green Card is a carbon credit card that offers a rewards program. Cardholders can earn points for every dollar they spend on eligible purchases.

Points can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, and travel.The card also has a 0% APR for 15 months on balance transfers and purchases.

What Is a Net Zero Credit Card?

The net-zero initiative works to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions or reduce them to as close as zero to protect the environment. Payment merchants have collaborated with other invested parties to join the cause through products like net-zero credit cards that help clients reduce their carbon emissions.

Through incentives and personal initiative, net zero cardholders are able to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions they contribute with every purchase they make. The carbon calculators and trackers help users know how much carbon emission they contribute to the environment and help them cut it down.

Custom Metal Credit Card (Carbon Co Skins Cards: Review)

You can have any of your carbon neutral credit cards custom created as a metal card.

Custom metal credit cards are made the same way as laser ones. Some banks are even making cards in metal for their clients. These cards are highly durable and look attractive because of the shiny metal that is used to make the cards.

You can also use it consistently without having the card wear out or become dysfunctional. The freedom to make the card into any design and color you want is also one of the perks that come with custom metal credit cards. Most people are now embracing the trend for aesthetics and quality.

Carbon Co. Skins makes high quality cards that can be used for touch-less purchases. Users rank the functionality and beauty of the metal carbon credit cards high, having no problems using it, especially in European countries.

9 Eco firendly symbols including wind turbines, solar panels, water works, a leaf, hdas holding leaves and recycling symbols.

Every industry is committing to better planet sustainability, including the banking sector. The introduction of green and carbon credit cards has contributed immensely to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. It has also created awareness of individual carbon emission contributions by users.

Through their purchases, credit card users can now support carbon reduction projects like planting trees. The perks of carbon credit cards also push users to do more for the planet than before. Use the live chart to compare the cards and know which is best for you.

You can start contributing positively to environmental conservation by minding your carbon emissions.

If you do not have any of the carbon credit cards mentioned above, check them out and know that with the move, you’ll be reducing your impact on the environment.

Information is not intended as actual financial advice but for entertainment purposes only. All investment strategies and investments involve risk of loss. Nothing contained in this website should be construed as investment advice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Carbon Credit Card

What Is a Carbon Allowance Card?

If you use up all your personal carbon allowance, you can buy from people who are not using most of their credits and help balance the carbon emissions and maintain them at healthy levels.6 It is an initiative to control emissions that harm the planet.

Who Has a Black Card?

People with black credit cards are people who have amassed a lot of wealth and have high credit scores. Privacy and exclusivity are some of the selling points of the card.

How Does the Mastercard and United Nations Credit Card Collaboration Work?

The United Nations is active in the fight against climate change. They have come together with credit card providers like Mastercard to create green cards that promote the reduction of carbon emissions and educate users on the impact of their purchases on the environment.

What Are World Economic Forum Carbon Credit Card Projects?

The world economic forum invests in carbon offsetting projects that are diverse in terms of uses and geography. They support carbon credit projects that positively impact climate, like renewable energy projects. They will work with carbon credit card companies that fund such projects to influence users to reduce their carbon footprint.


References

1Climate Credit Card – Switzerland. (n.d.). UNFCCC. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from <https://unfccc.int/climate-action/momentum-for-change/activity-database/momentum-for-change-climate-credit-card>

2Segal, M. (2021, April 21). Visa Reaches Carbon Neutrality, Aims to Become Climate Positive. ESG Today. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from <https://www.esgtoday.com/visa-reaches-carbon-neutrality-launches-initiatives-to-become-climate-positive/>

3Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. (2022). Renewable Energy. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from <https://www.energy.gov/eere/renewable-energy>

4Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2020, August 26). What Is a Credit Card Interest Rate? What Does APR Mean? Retrieved October 13, 2022, from <https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-card-interest-rate-what-does-apr-mean-en-44/>

5UMich Center for Sustainable Systems. (2022). Carbon Footprint Factsheet. Factsheets. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from <https://css.umich.edu/publications/factsheets/sustainability-indicators/carbon-footprint-factsheet>

6National Library of Medicine & senior fellow emeritus. (2006, June 10). Personal Carbon Allowances. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1476736/>

7US Environmental Protection Agency. (2015, December 29). Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Retrieved October 14, 2022, from <https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions>