Removal reconsidered: Carbon Dioxide Removal in the Voluntary Carbon Market going forward

Published by BeZero in June 2022, this report considers the dynamic between avoidance and removal credits in the voluntary carbon market. It says that while avoidance credits currently dominate the market, there needs to be a rise in removal credits to help the world achieve its global climate goals. NOTE: We do not advocate creating a division between avoidance and removal credits. Rather, we need to recognise the essential yet differing roles each credit type can play in the corporate decarbonisation journey.

The Evolution of Carbon Markets and their Role in Climate Mitigation and Sustainable Development

Following the G7’s statement on the potential of carbon credits, The Oxford Institute of Energy Studies discussed the role of carbon markets in contributing to climate mitigation and sustainable development in June 2022. It considers the potential of carbon markets to accelerate financial flows to climate action and support the world’s most vulnerable to navigate changing weather patterns. It provides an interesting context for anyone looking to learn more about the carbon markets.

Guidance on Voluntary Use of Nature-based Solution Carbon Credits Through 2040

Produced by The World Resources Institute, this document guides the voluntary use of carbon credits generated by nature-based solutions, particularly those generated beyond an organization’s value chain. Developed by a WRI working group in June 2022, it is focused on nature-based solutions and markets and acts as a one-stop resource to discover the Institute’s latest thinking on nature-based solutions.

Blue Carbon: the potential of coastal and oceanic climate action

Blue Carbon works with marine ecosystems to deliver climate mitigation solutions. It is an area of nature-based solutions that is increasingly capturing corporate attention. Published by McKinsey in May 2022, this report is essential reading for business leaders interested in purchasing credits from blue carbon projects as it breaks down the available solutions into the categories established, emerging and nascent. This can help inform future decarbonisation strategies.

State of the science: Cropland Soil Carbon Sequestration

This report from The Environmental Defense Fund questions the security of investing in soil carbon storage. Published in May 2022, it does not think that soil carbon science has developed enough to make these projects a worthwhile investment compared to other nature-based solutions available. NOTE: Soil has an immense capacity to capture and store carbon from the atmosphere. These methodologies are constantly improving and evolving.

Essential, expensive and evolving: The outlook for carbon credits and offsets

This report from EY predicts that carbon credits will grow increasingly expensive and scarce. Published in March 2022, it is relevant to corporates debating whether to include carbon credits in their decarbonisation strategy as it provides useful insights into market trends. It advises how business leaders can prepare for a future in which carbon credits are both more expensive and highly needed.

Managing the carbon asset from investments in natural climate solutions

Intended for investors, this guidance from New Forests is a resource to help decarbonise portfolios. Published in April 2022, it communicates the value of carbon sequestration to help investors understand these solutions as an asset class. It discusses greenhouse gas accounting and nature-based solutions to share how these strategies can contribute to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Microsoft carbon removal: An update with lessons learned in our second year

Microsoft reviews its carbon removal profile after its second year of operation in this report released in March 2022. It calls for clearer standards and solutions with higher durability. It also highlights challenges facing soil carbon and forest carbon projects, stating that these solutions should provide immediate, short-term solutions and be recognised for the co-benefits they offer in addition to carbon removal.

The State of the UK’s Voluntary Carbon Market

What dynamics were playing out in the UK voluntary carbon market in 2022? The report, released by Abatable in March 2022, is intended to help potential carbon credit buyers understand the risks associated with their purchases. Equipped with an understanding of these risks, the report argues that buyers are better prepared to take advantage of the opportunities the market offers.

States and trends of carbon pricing 2022

Published in March 2022, this report from the World Bank provides an understanding of carbon pricing between 2021 and 2022. This year was a pivotal period for carbon markets. It covers aspects of pricing beyond the voluntary, discussing emissions trading systems and carbon taxes too.