Carbon markets
EU uses pollution tax funds to back Romanian gas pipeline
The European Union is using taxes on pollution to fund a gas pipeline in Romania, claiming it will reduce emissions compared to coal
A wolf in sheep’s clothing: why Africa should shun carbon markets
Turning Africa into a source of carbon credits will benefit polluters and middlemen, not most Africans and not the planet
UAE pitches itself as Africa’s carbon credits leader
An Emirati coalition has announced a $450 million commitment to buy carbon credits generated in Africa but critics called offsets a “risky diversion”
Cooking the books: cookstove offsets produce millions of fake emission cuts
Projects in India linked to Enking, the self-proclaimed world’s largest carbon credits producer, have vastly overestimated climate benefits
As Guyana shows, carbon offsets will not save the Amazon rainforest
With all their flaws, carbon offsets are not the solution to deforestation of the Amazon rainforest – leaders should acknowledge that
Carbon credits touted as saviour of coal-to-clean energy deals
The scheme aims to fund the coal-to-clean energy transition in emerging economies like Indonesia but experts warn the fine print is key
World Bank set to take on risk of insuring carbon credits amid market upheaval
As a growing number of developing countries tighten control over carbon markets, MIGA plans to step in to provide political risk insurance and facilitate investments.
UN advises against offsets for carbon removal technologies
Billions of dollars are pouring into tech-based solutions to suck carbon dioxide from the atmosphere but the UNFCCC says they are unproven and pose unknown risks.
Verra boss steps down after criticism of its carbon credits
The carbon credit certifier has both grown rapidly and faced mounting integrity accusations during outgoing CEO’s tenure.
Verra’s revamped forest offset programme comes under fire
Verra picked a controversial carbon credit verifier to review its new forest offset rules and critics say the changes don’t fix the problem
Mitsubishi bets on carbon removal while keeping coal plants
Japanese engineering giant Mitsubishi has announced a major investment in carbon removal technology, despite continuing to run fossil fuel power plants.
Carbon discredits – Climate Weekly
Sign up to get our weekly newsletter straight to your inbox, plus breaking news, investigations and extra bulletins from key events
Carbon credit industry resists vulnerable nations’ call to fund adaptation
New carbon credit guidelines do not recommend a mandatory levy to fund adaptation despite calls from vulnerable countries and experts
Consultants close to industry shaped Australia’s controversial carbon credit policy
The government commissioned advice from expensive consultants from EY, a company that had also worked with carbon offsetters and the fossil fuel industry.
Carbon credit rule-makers must engage Indigenous People
Indigenous people protect the forests but the organisation writing up a rule-book for high-quality carbon offsets has not adequately consulted them
Revealed: How Shell cashed in on dubious carbon offsets from Chinese rice paddies
Shell’s rice farming offset projects are under review. Climate Home found them riddled with accounting loopholes and questionable integrity claims.
Corporations push “insetting” as new offsetting but report claims it is even worse
More companies claim that supply-chain carbon removal is the way forward. But a new report raises concern over the credibility and transparency of insetting.
Greenwash alert as Cop27 draft allows double claiming of carbon credits
Companies and countries could take credit for the same tonne of CO2 cut under rules being negotiated in Sharm el-Sheikh
Cop27 bulletin: Could polluter taxes fund loss and damage?
Sign up to get our weekly newsletter straight to your inbox, plus breaking news, investigations and extra bulletins from key events
John Kerry’s offsets plan sets early test for UN net zero standards
The US special envoy wants to use carbon credits to speed up the clean energy transition – but experts are sceptical the scheme can meet best practice.