By accessing or using Dovu.Earth (“Platform,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), you (“User,” “you,” or “your”) agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Platform.

2.1 Platform Description

Dovu.Earth is an online marketplace that facilitates the buying and selling of voluntary carbon credits. We act solely as an intermediary platform connecting carbon credit sellers (“Project Developers”) with buyers (“Purchasers”). We do not own, create, verify, or guarantee any carbon credits listed on our Platform.

2.2 Account creation

In order to make a purchase of a credit in our Platform you must first create an account by registering your details with us. You agree that all information you provide during the sign up process to register with us is accurate and true. By completing the registration process you will be given access to your account.

Our Platform lists different categories of carbon credits, each with distinct characteristics and risk profiles (the list below is not exhaustive):

3.1 Verified/Issued Carbon Credits 

• Definition: Carbon credits that have been independently verified and certified by recognized third-party standards and issued by official registries.
• Status: These credits represent actual carbon reductions or removals that have already occurred and been verified.
• Documentation: Include verification reports, certification statements, registry documentation, and tokenization records.
• Registry Status: Issued and tracked on recognized carbon registries.

3.2 Pre-Verified Carbon Credits 

• Definition: Carbon credits that are in various stages of development but have NOT yet completed the full verification and certification process by recognized third-party standards.
• Status: These may include:
  • Credits under development or validation
  • Credits awaiting third-party verification
  • Credits in the Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) process
  • Credits pending certification approval
  • Credits with internal verification only
  • Credits estimated based on project design documents

3.3 Forward/Future Carbon Credits

• Definition: Agreements to deliver carbon credits at a future date, typically from projects in development or planning stages.
• Status: Represent future carbon reductions or removals that are expected to occur.
• Risk Profile: Subject to project development risks, methodology approval risks, and delivery timeline uncertainties.

3.4 Tokenized Carbon Credits

• Definition: Carbon credits that have been converted into digital tokens on a blockchain or distributed ledger technology (DLT).
• Status: May include verified, pre-verified, or forward credits that have been tokenized.
• Technology: Utilizes blockchain technology for enhanced transparency, traceability, and fractional ownership.
• Registry Integration: May be linked to traditional carbon registries or operate as native digital assets.

3.5 Removal vs. Reduction Credits

• Removal Credits: Represent actual removal of CO2 from the atmosphere (e.g., reforestation, direct air capture, biochar).
• Reduction Credits: Represent avoidance of emissions that would have otherwise occurred (e.g., renewable energy, energy efficiency, methane capture).

Quality Differentiation: Removal credits are generally considered higher quality for net-zero commitments.

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE: PRE-VERIFIED CARBON CREDITS CARRY SIGNIFICANT RISKS

By purchasing pre-verified carbon credits, you acknowledge and accept the following risks:

4.1 Verification and Certification Risk

• NO GUARANTEE OF VERIFICATION: Pre-verified credits may never receive third-party verification or certification from recognized standards bodies
• REJECTION RISK: Third-party verifiers may reject projects or require substantial modifications
• METHODOLOGY RISK: Chosen methodologies may not be approved or may change during the verification process
• TIMELINE UNCERTAINTY: Verification processes can take significantly longer than anticipated
• REGISTRY RISK: Credits may not be accepted by recognized carbon registries

4.2 Project Performance Risk

• ADDITIONALITY RISK: Projects may not meet additionality requirements (proving emissions reductions wouldn’t have occurred anyway)
• PERMANENCE RISK: Carbon storage or reduction claims may not be permanent (e.g., forest fires, project abandonment)
• QUANTIFICATION RISK: Actual carbon reductions may be less than estimated
• LEAKAGE RISK: Project activities may cause emissions increases elsewhere
• BASELINE RISK: Baseline emission scenarios may be inaccurate

4.3 Technology and MRV Risk

• MEASUREMENT UNCERTAINTY: Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems may be inadequate or inaccurate
• SATELLITE/MONITORING RISK: Remote sensing or monitoring technology may not capture actual project performance
• DATA QUALITY RISK: Underlying data used for credit calculations may be unreliable

4.4 Regulatory and Market Risk

• REGULATORY CHANGES: Evolving regulations may affect project viability or credit recognition
• STANDARD CHANGES: Carbon standards and methodologies may change, affecting project eligibility
• MARKET ACCEPTANCE: Pre-verified credits may not be accepted by corporate buyers or offset programs
• JURISDICTIONAL RISK: Legal or regulatory issues in project locations may prevent credit issuance

4.5 Financial Risk

• TOTAL LOSS POSSIBLE: You may lose your entire investment in pre-verified credits
• NO REFUND GUARANTEE: No guarantee of refund if credits are not ultimately verified
• PRICE VOLATILITY: Market value may fluctuate significantly
• LIQUIDITY RISK: Pre-verified credits may be difficult to resell

Disclaimer of Risk & Liability

No Guarantee of Verification
Pre‑Certified Credits may never get verified. The Marketplace does not guarantee or warrant that any Pre‑Certified Credit will later receive certification.

Project Creator Liability

• The sole responsibility for all Pre‑Certified Credits (their accuracy, performance, eventual certification, etc.) lies with the Project Creator.
• The Marketplace disclaims any liability arising from:
  • Failure to certify.
  • Failure to deliver anticipated emissions reductions.
  • Any misrepresentations made by the Project Creator.

5.1 No Warranties

THE PLATFORM AND ALL CARBON CREDITS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• MERCHANTABILITY
• FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
• NON-INFRINGEMENT
• ACCURACY OF INFORMATION
• QUALITY OF CARBON CREDITS

5.2 No Verification or Quality Assurance Responsibility

• We do NOT verify, validate, or certify any carbon credits
• We do NOT guarantee the accuracy of any information provided by Project Developers
• We do NOT ensure compliance with any carbon standards or methodologies
• We do NOT confirm the environmental impact, additionality, or permanence of any projects
• We do NOT verify the accuracy of MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) data
• We do NOT ensure that credits meet any specific quality standards or buyer requirements

5.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW WE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE FEES PAID TO US FOR PLATFORM SERVICES. WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY LOSSES ARISING FROM CARBON CREDIT PURCHASES OR SALES.

Marketplace Liability

For avoidance of doubt our Platform is a facilitator only, not a party to Carbon Credit projects. We make no warranties, express or implied, regarding:

• The environmental effectiveness of any credit.
• The legal or regulatory validity of any credit.
• The future verification or registry status of any Pre‑Certified Credits.

All liability related to credits lies with the Project Creator (and end-buyer), not with the Marketplace.

6.1 Project Developer Obligations. Project Developers are solely responsible for:

• Accuracy of all project information, documentation, and carbon calculations
• Compliance with applicable carbon standards, methodologies, and regulations
• Obtaining necessary permits, approvals, and regulatory clearances
• Implementing and maintaining carbon reduction or removal activities
• Ensuring project additionality and permanence
• Pursuing third-party verification and certification processes
• Providing timely and accurate updates on project status and performance
• Maintaining adequate MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) systems
• Ensuring compliance with tokenization and registry requirements
• Addressing any issues with credit quality, delivery, or performance
• Providing evidence of actual carbon reductions or removals for ex-post credits

6.2 Compliance 

Project Developers must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and carbon standards in their jurisdiction.

7.1 Due Diligence

Users must:

• Conduct their own due diligence on all carbon credits and projects
• Verify information independently through third-party sources
• Assess risks according to their own risk tolerance and investment objectives
• Understand the differences between verified and pre-verified credits
• Evaluate project additionality, permanence, and methodology quality
• Review all available project documentation and MRV data
• Consider the reputation and track record of Project Developers
• Understand the implications of tokenization and digital asset ownership
• Consult with qualified advisors, including legal and environmental experts

7.2 Compliance

Users must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and carbon standards in their jurisdiction.

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Platform, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising from:

• Your use of the Platform
• Your purchase of any carbon credits
• Any alleged defects, misrepresentations, or non-performance by Project Creators.

• Use of credits in any compliance or regulatory context.
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any applicable laws or regulations

The Marketplace collects a Transaction Fee per purchase as outlined in your purchase journey representing 15%. All project-related payments are made directly to the Project Creator, and the Marketplace is not responsible for project creation, delivery, or verification.

When you purchase a credit, the issuance of a certificate is immediate. In addition to being presented with your certificate upon checkout, it will also be emailed to the email address linked with your account, together with a receipt from Stripe as a copy. When you make a purchase we record that action on Hedera Hashgraph DLT within 1 hour. The purchased credit can not be unretired or resold.

10.1 Platform Disputes

Any disputes between users and the Platform shall be resolved through binding arbitration in England and Wales.

10.2 Carbon Credit Disputes

Disputes regarding carbon credits, their quality, or verification status are between the relevant parties (buyers and Project Developers). The Platform is not responsible for resolving such disputes.

You must keep the device you use to access your account and the security details you use to log onto your account safe at all times and never disclose it to anyone or record it in any way that may result in it becoming known to another person.We will never contact you (or ask anyone to do so on our behalf) with a request to disclose your security details in full. If you receive such a request then you must NOT supply your security details to them. If you know or suspect that someone else has your security details you must change your password immediately and contact us immediately. You must do this by contacting us here and we will stop transactions being carried out in your account. If you do not inform us and your security details are used by someone else you will be responsible for any unauthorised transactions in your account.

In the case that an e-mail address registered with us is compromised, you should immediately let us know.

The Marketplace reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any credit listings, including Pre‑Certified Credits, at any time without liability. Users may terminate accounts, but all completed Transactions remain effective.

Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference into these Terms.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Continued use of the Platform after modifications constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, without regard to conflict of law principles.

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Platform.

By using this Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. You specifically acknowledge that you understand the risks associated with pre-certified carbon credits and that the Platform bears no responsibility for the verification, quality, or performance of any carbon credits.