Published by AFD, this briefing examines the structural complexity of carbon credits and the institutional factors shaping carbon market integrity. It details technical risks, additionality, permanence, over-crediting, leakage and double counting, and how information asymmetry affects credit quality. The paper reviews ICVCM, VCMI, Article 6 and registry reforms, arguing that alignment with NDCs, legal clarity and transparent infrastructure are essential for a high-integrity VCM.
This UNFCCC draft decision text sets out updated rules for Article 6.4 ahead of CMA7, including baselines, non-permanence, reversals, leakage, stakeholder engagement, sustainable development safeguards and issuance. It outlines governance requirements that shape eligibility and integrity for nature-based and other crediting activities across markets.
This UNFCCC draft CMA7 decision text outlines updated guidance for implementing Article 6.2 cooperative approaches. It provides detailed rules on authorisation of mitigation outcomes, reporting and tracking obligations, review processes, registries, corresponding adjustments and transparency requirements. The text defines how participating Parties must account for internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs) and clarifies interfaces with national inventory systems. The draft also has implications for alignment between Article 6 mechanisms and the VCM, particularly on authorisation, double counting and reporting integrity.
Published by multiple organisations, this open letter raises concerns about proposed Article 6.4 rules that could exclude land-based activities. It recommends revising standards on non-permanence, baselines, leakage and stakeholder engagement to ensure all eligible reductions and removals can participate with high integrity.
Published by The Nature Conservancy, this explainer summarises COP29 decisions that operationalise Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, covering authorisations, registries, and reporting, and explains implications for NDCs, REDD+, and voluntary carbon markets.
This report from the REDD+ Business Initiative makes the case for REDD+ as a proven, high-impact mechanism to conserve tropical forests. It outlines its evolution, governance structure, and benefits, including carbon reductions, biodiversity gains, and support for Indigenous communities.
Africa’s green industrialisation ambitions are constrained by limited finance. This Boston University report shows how climate-positive macroeconomic reforms, such as carbon pricing frameworks, climate-aligned budgeting, and public investment tools, can unlock capital at scale. It also examines the IMF’s role and offers concrete policy recommendations to align national industrial goals with climate resilience and sustainable development financing strategies.
Published by the Center on Global Energy Policy, this commentary assesses why Article 6 remains underutilised despite growing demand. It outlines remaining gaps, especially around enforcement, infrastructure, and host country capacity. The paper recommends prioritising environmental integrity, investor protection, and safeguards against double counting. It also calls for donor-backed capacity building and stronger global governance to unlock Article 6’s full potential in both voluntary and compliance markets.
In this practical guide, VCMI outlines how countries can build the enabling environments needed to access carbon markets credibly and effectively. The toolkit includes an Access Framework with indicators across governance, safeguards, finance, data, and policy. It helps users identify capacity gaps, prioritize investments, and coordinate across ministries. Developed with a focus on equity and climate ambition, the toolkit is designed to support implementation of Article 6 and the transition toward high-integrity, country-driven carbon market participation.
In this brief, the European Forest Institute outlines key risks facing biodiversity credit market, such as weak baselines, permanence gaps, and vague metrics. It proposes science-based safeguards, governance standards, and policy roles to ensure integrity and avoid repeating carbon market failures.