FEATURE: Climate finance, not offsets, increasingly seen as a nature-based solution as critics persist
With nature-based credits valued at a growing price premium to other types of carbon offsets, scrutiny over the process is also on the rise, with even forest protection standards that are said to be raising the bar on quality finding criticism for lacking environmental integrity.
Read MoreUncertain legal nature of voluntary carbon credits holding back market -financial trade body
The fast-growing market for voluntary carbon credits would be bolstered by the further development of derivatives trading, but several key legal issues including the uncertain legal nature of offsets need to first be addressed, a major financial industry trade association has said.
Read MoreVCM Report: VER price hike slows near record levels amid post-COP lull
Voluntary emissions reduction (VER) prices edged to new heights in some standardised contracts this week, while others slipped back amid subdued holiday-interrupted trade following the COP26 UN climate talks earlier in the month.
Read MoreEU lawmakers seek changes to CO2 border measures that could ease impact on US emitters
The European Parliament’s cross-party trade committee is seeking changes to the EU’s proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) that could substantially lower costs faced by US emitters, according to a draft report published this week.
Read MoreCampaigners cheer small victory for Arctic at UN’s shipping climate talks
A voluntary measure to reduce shipping’s black carbon emissions in the Arctic was adopted at the UN’s International Maritime Organisation (IMO) negotiations on Friday, a move welcomed by green groups as a modest step while other climate decisions for the sector were deferred.
Read MoreANALYSIS: Switzerland touts model for international emissions trade, voluntary market
Switzerland sealed its fifth and sixth bilateral crediting agreements on the sidelines of the Glasgow UN climate talks this month, touting the deals as a model of Paris Agreement-era emissions trade for countries as well as for companies in the voluntary carbon market.
Read MoreIMO climate talks slog along with another blockade to climate action, this time on black carbon
Climate progress under the UN’s International Maritime Organisation (IMO) faced another roadblock Thursday, as a handful of countries moved to block a resolution to reduce black carbon emissions in the Arctic – even though these were voluntary, non-binding measures.
Read MoreANALYSIS: US-led release of oil reserves defies carbon pricing push
The US-led release of millions of barrels of oil from strategic reserves by major consumer nations this week goes in the opposite direction to what climate experts say will help shift the world off fossil fuels.
Read MoreVCM Report: VERs ride COP26, crypto wave to new all-time highs
Voluntary emissions reduction (VER) values on the over-the-counter and exchange-traded markets extended their year-long bull run this week, with voluntary carbon market (VCM) participants citing optimistic outlooks following the COP26 UN climate summit and blockchain ventures in driving up prices.
Read MoreSeveral nations baulk at 2050 net zero shipping goal as IMO talks resume
Several countries attempted to block efforts to raise the shipping sector’s emissions target to a 2050 net zero goal on Monday, as week-long talks begin at the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO).
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