Carbon markets
Experts quit carbon market watchdog in row over quality label for forest credits
Two ICVCM expert advisors have resigned from their positions over what they called a “problematic precedent” set with the REDD+ decision
New UN carbon market standards are a step change in protecting people and planet
Rules finalised at COP29 will make sure carbon credits enable more ambitious climate goals while delivering benefits to local communities
Is COP29 “breakthrough” on UN carbon market all it seems?
Azerbaijan presidency claims Article 6 could help countries save $250 billion a year – but experts warn UN carbon trading is still some way off
Verra’s plan to review carbon credits faster with fewer staff raises integrity concerns
Verra’s new CEO said that “faster does not equal to compromise on integrity” – but independent carbon market experts are sceptical
UN approves carbon market safeguards to protect environment and human rights
Developers of carbon credit projects will have to carry out a risk assessment and minimise any social or environmental impacts
Guyana’s carbon-credit deal to protect forests undermines its forest protectors
Guyana’s Indigenous communities are under siege from all sides – including an opaque carbon-offsetting scheme agreed by the government on our lands
Amazon state that will host COP30 strikes “largest carbon credit sale in history”
A coalition of governments and multinational corporations promises to pay Pará state $180m to save its rainforest
Verra axing of Shell’s rice-farming carbon credits in China fuels integrity fears
The carbon market standard found “serious” quality issues with the projects, prompting questions about their initial approval
Renewable-energy carbon credits rejected by high-integrity scheme
The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market decided existing renewables methodologies don’t do enough to prove their emissions reductions are additional
US government backs the carbon credit industry’s push to fix itself
The Biden administration throws its weight behind the industry’s attempts to boost integrity in the beleaguered market
UN agrees carbon market safeguards to tackle green land grabs
Local communities will be able to officially challenge UN-registered carbon credit projects before and after they are up and running
SBTi needs tighter rules on companies’ indirect emissions
Businesses are not required to cut all their value chain emissions in line with a 1.5C warming limit – and allowing offsetting could weaken efforts further
Paraguay’s carbon deal with Singapore beset by lobbying, lax rules
UN rules governing bilateral carbon offsetting between governments have yet to be agreed but deals are being done, raising concerns about integrity
Fossil fuel firms seek UN carbon market cash for old gas plants
Fossil fuel companies that built gas power plants more than a decade ago are hoping for rewards from a new carbon credit market
“Shameful”: Shell uses carbon credits under investigation to meet climate targets
The oil and gas giant offset part of its emissions with over a million credits from Chinese projects suspended because of integrity concerns
Junk offset sellers push to enter new UN carbon market
Renewable energy schemes make up four-fifths of Kyoto-era projects hoping to keep selling offsets under Article 6, sparking concerns over the credibility of the new market.
Witness bribing minister’s family own Congolese carbon credit company
The minister Jean-Pierre Bemba bribed witnesses in his war crimes trial and holds power over the environment minister Eve Bazaiba
First ever Paris Agreement offsets face integrity questions
As Switzerland buys the first ever bilateral offsets, civil society’s analysis suggests the claimed emissions reductions from Thai buses would have happened anyway
Ten climate questions for 2024
The US election and negotiations on a new global finance target are the most important things for the climate in 2024
Countries go ahead with carbon deals despite Cop28 standoff
The US and EU couldn’t agree on common rules for bilateral carbon trades in Dubai, leaving a vacuum for voluntary certifiers