The VCM Knowledge Vault is an always updated, go-to resource to help businesses participate in a maturing market
As an ever-evolving and maturing space, there is no shortage of resources to help companies of all sizes navigate the voluntary carbon market (VCM). But with so many new releases and an extensive back catalogue of guidance, how can you possibly keep track?
Whether you are an established stakeholder looking to keep up with the latest best practices, or a new participant needing an introduction to the market, the VCM Knowledge Vault is here to support you. We want to equip you to lead the way for climate, nature and people.
Released by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market in March 2023, the long-awaited Core Carbon Principles are ten fundamental, science-based principles for identifying high-quality carbon credits that create verifiable climate impact.
The Voluntary Carbon Market Integrity Initiative’s Claims Code of Practice, released in June 2023, is essential guidance for companies. It outlines how to use high-integrity carbon credits to support climate commitments and make credible claims.
This TFCI guidance, published in February 2023, helps companies identify high-quality forest carbon credits. It also speaks extensively on the vital role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities as custodians of the world’s forests.
A Buyer’s Guide to Natural Climate Solutions Carbon Credits
Published by NCS Alliance and WBCSD in March 2023, this guide helps businesses using natural climate solutions procure high-quality carbon credits. It focuses on strategies that provide climate mitigation, biodiversity gains, and community benefits.
All in on climate: the Role of Carbon credits in Corporate Climate Strategies
Part-funded by WMBC and published by Ecosystem Marketplace in October 2023, the report found that companies tend to use carbon credits to support their climate strategies, debunking the myth that they buy credits to delay emissions reductions.
Article 6.4 draft CMA7 decision text on mechanism rules and requirements
This UNFCCC draft decision text sets out updated rules for Article 6.4 ahead of CMA7, including baselines, non-permanence, reversals, leakage, stakeholder engagement, sustainable development safeguards and issuance. It outlines governance requirements that shape eligibility and integrity for nature-based and other crediting activities across markets.
Article 6.2 draft CMA7 decision text on cooperative approaches
This UNFCCC draft CMA7 decision text outlines updated guidance for implementing Article 6.2 cooperative approaches. It provides detailed rules on authorisation of mitigation outcomes, reporting and tracking obligations, review processes, registries, corresponding adjustments and transparency requirements. The text defines how participating Parties must account for internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs) and clarifies interfaces with national inventory systems. The draft also has implications for alignment between Article 6 mechanisms and the VCM, particularly on authorisation, double counting and reporting integrity.
This UNDP toolkit provides practical guidance for countries establishing high-integrity participation in carbon markets. It covers legal and institutional readiness, safeguards, MRV systems, Article 6 alignment, crediting programme participation and claim governance. It includes tools on stakeholder engagement, transparency, data systems and integrating market approaches into national climate strategies.
High-integrity carbon projects in the Brazilian Amazon
Published by VCMI and partners, this guide sets out practical steps for developing high-integrity carbon projects in the Brazilian Amazon. It explains Brazil’s federal and state rules, clarifies land tenure and carbon rights, and details requirements on FPIC, benefit sharing, safeguards, MRV and contracting so projects align with national law and international integrity standards.
Published by Nature4Climate and Arboretica, this fifth edition uses AI-assisted analysis to assess more than 1,500 NbS-related policies across 190 countries that help shape enabling conditions for high-integrity nature-based credits. It reviews legal frameworks, financing, safeguards, MRV systems, adaptation integration and IPLC recognition, identifying gaps that affect credit quality, risk, permanence and project legitimacy. The report underscores the need for stronger national policy environments to support credible, durable NbS project development across both VCM and Article 6 pathways.
Foundation funding for climate change adaptation and resilience 2025
ClimateWorks Foundation report analyses philanthropic funding for climate adaptation and resilience across 40 foundations, showing a 120% increase since 2021. It highlights sector and regional trends, funding gaps and the importance of locally led adaptation and collaborative learning.
Published by the International Chamber of Commerce and Oxera, this report assesses the voluntary carbon market’s current challenges and opportunities. It identifies barriers to credit quality, transparency and market functioning, and presents 14 recommendations to strengthen integrity, governance and policy alignment.
Published by the COP29 and COP30 Presidencies, this roadmap outlines pathways to mobilise at least USD 1.3 trillion annually in climate finance for developing countries by 2035. It presents five priority action fronts, highlights barriers across public and private finance, and proposes reforms to expand access, resilience and equity.
Shared principles for growing high-integrity use of carbon credits by companies and other buyers
This guidance by the Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets outlines voluntary principles for increasing high-integrity corporate demand for carbon credits. It sets expectations for decarbonisation-first strategies, procurement of high-quality reductions and removals, fair pricing, co-benefits, transparent disclosure and substantiated claims. The principles draw on PACM, ICVCM and CORSIA standards, and encourage government alignment to improve market consistency, legal clarity and recognition of credible buyers.