This report is a REDD+ resource. Published by Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy in November 2022, it covers the seven REDD+ standards, as well as the sources of finance for which they are eligible. The goal is to simplify the understanding of various standards, funding sources, and markets for REDD+ in order to facilitate access to REDD+ finance.
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.
What is nature tech? What does it measure? And how can it help address the climate and nature crises? Published by Nature4Climate in September 2022, this report is relevant to both project developers and corporates who want to understand how nature tech could benefit them. It discusses the potential of nature tech to build trust, reduce costs and increase accuracy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.