Carbon Market Watch analysed the climate strategies and underlying assessments of six European countries – Austria, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, and Norway – and the European Commission. Across the board, an alarming pattern consistently emerges: a heavy reliance on carbon dioxide removals (CDR) to achieve climate targets. Moreover, this dependence is resting on shaky ground due to a consistent failure to carry out critical feasibility assessments.
This report evaluates the effectiveness of the Article 6 rulebook against four key criteria: the quality, transparency, accountability, and equity.
17 June 2025 | 10:30-11:45 CET | In person
Esta guía ofrece una introducción al estado actual de los mercados internacionales de créditos de carbono. Describe los elementos principales de los nuevos mercados establecidos en virtud del Acuerdo de París, así como el funcionamiento del mercado voluntario de carbono, que opera al margen del sistema de la ONU. Concluye con un debate sobre el papel que juegan estos mecanismos en la acción climática y sobre cómo deben y no deben utilizarse.
Este guia é uma introdução ao estado atual dos mercados internacionais de créditos de carbono. Apresenta os principais elementos dos mercados recentemente criados no âmbito do Acordo de Paris e o funcionamento do mercado voluntário de carbono, que opera fora do sistema das Nações Unidas. Conclui com um debate sobre o papel destes mecanismos na ação climática e sobre a forma como devem e não devem ser utilizados.
Ce guide présente l’état actuel des marchés internationaux de crédits carbone. Il présente les éléments clés des marchés nouvellement établis dans le cadre de l’Accord de Paris, ainsi que le fonctionnement du marché volontaire du carbone, qui opère en dehors du système des Nations unies. Il se termine par une discussion sur le rôle de ces mécanismes dans l’action climatique et sur la manière dont ils devraient ou ne devraient pas être utilisés.
This guide gives an introduction to the current state of international carbon credit markets. It lays out key elements of the newly established markets under the Paris Agreement, and the functioning of the voluntary carbon market, which operates outside of the UN system. It concludes with a discussion of the role of these mechanisms in climate action, and how they should and should not be used.
Policymakers must break the magnetism between carbon markets and carbon removals by putting in place non-market incentives. This requires a rethinking of the EU’s Carbon Removals Certification Framework process and setting the right targets for 2040.
This week, the rapporteur of the European Parliament’s Environment committee (Ian Duncan) published his draft report on the EU’s carbon market reform, kicking off the legislative debate. Disappointingly, the proposal fails to address the most pressing issues that need fixing in order to make the EU ETS fit-for-purpose and in line with the Paris climate agreement.
