Debt-for-carbon: Using carbon credits for debt relief

Published by EDF and Perspectives Climate Research, this paper explores how voluntary carbon market and Article 6 credits could be integrated into debt-for-climate swaps, linking sovereign debt relief to verified emissions reductions through robust MRV systems.

Carbon market integrity: How to move beyond the limitations and uncertainties?

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.

Article 6.4 draft CMA7 decision text on mechanism rules and requirements

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.

Article 6.2 draft CMA7 decision text on cooperative approaches

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.

Open letter on Article 6.4

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.

How to fully operationalize Article 6

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.

Biodiversity credits: How to ensure their integrity and impact?

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.

Forest resilience and disturbance: What role does biodiversity play?

This policy brief from the European Forest Institute outlines how biodiversity can enhance forest resilience amid climate-driven disturbances. It offers guidance for policymakers and forest managers on using species diversity, structural complexity, and novel management approaches to stabilise ecosystems.

The common credit data model: Key infrastructure for digital carbon markets

This Carbon Mechanisms Review brief by Wuppertal Institute outlines how a common credit data model can serve as a backbone for digital carbon markets. It highlights benefits like improved interoperability, transparency, and cost reduction, especially for registries, project developers, and credit buyers navigating fragmented systems.