Role of credits from High Forest Low Deforestation jurisdictions in climate mitigation portfolios

This whitepaper was published in November 2022 by Climate Impact X, Conservation International, Emergent, Natural Climate Solutions Alliance and the Wildlife Conservation Society. It explains the term ‘High Forest Low Deforestation (HFLD)’ and sets out how carbon credits generated from these geographies can be used in corporate decarbonisation strategies. If your business wants to make a more informed decision about HFLD carbon credits, this resource is for you.

Voluntary Carbon Market and Offsetting

This report from the Climate Change Committee argues that carbon credits have an important, but small role in supporting decarbonisation. Published in October 2022, it recommends that governments implement stronger guidance, regulation and standards, suggesting that without more stringent measures, companies may use carbon credits as a substitute for cutting emissions. NOTE: Other studies have found that companies which purchase carbon credits are decarbonising faster than those that don’t.

The good is never perfect: Why current flaws of VCMs are services, not barriers to climate action

This academic paper, published by Frontiers in Climate, is essential reading for anyone wondering how to address flaws in the voluntary carbon market. Published in October 2022, the authors argue that the challenges facing the carbon market are not only resolvable but that they must be overcome to achieve our global climate goals. It states that voluntary carbon markets can effectively catalyse climate action.

How carbon markets systematically undervalue tropical forests’ climate benefits

In this explainer released in October 2022, the World Resources Institute explains that carbon markets are currently undervaluing tropical forest carbon credits. Why? They do not account for tropical forests’ non-carbon biophysical processes such as albedo; evapotranspiration, surface roughness and aerosols. Is there a way to accurately reflect these non-carbon benefits and climate mitigation potential in the voluntary carbon market?

Forests for Climate: Scaling up Forest Conservation to Reach Net Zero

This whitepaper from The World Economic Forum speaks to corporates seeking to help halt and reverse deforestation. Released in September 2022, it advocates for jurisdictional approaches to REDD+ as a forest protection strategy and highlights case studies from Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana and Vietnam. These examples are helpful for those looking to understand how large-scale forest protection works in practice.

The Art of Integrity: State of the voluntary carbon market 2022

This report from Ecosystem Marketplace sets out the state of the voluntary carbon market in 2021 – it quadrupled in value compared to 2020. Published in August 2022, the report reveals that the total market value neared $2 billion in 2021 and considers credit integrity in the context of rapidly rising value. It is relevant to corporates and project developers looking to understand the modern-day history of the voluntary carbon market.

Guidance on Voluntary Use of Nature-Based Solution Carbon Credits through 2040

This guidance document from The World Resources Institute explains how nature-based carbon credits can support decarbonisation through 2040. Published in June 2022, it recommends the voluntary carbon market adopt guardrails to better align itself with two principles: carbon projects should respect the rights of Indigenous people and a company must already be on an emission reduction pathway before purchasing carbon credits.