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.
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.
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.
Published by the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits, this report maps government-led approaches to nature credit markets across countries and jurisdictions. It analyses market archetypes, governance models and integrity considerations shaping emerging biodiversity credit frameworks.
South Pole’s 2026 carbon market buyer’s guide translates market, policy and integrity developments into practical guidance for corporate buyers. It covers major trends shaping supply, demand and pricing, including the role of integrity frameworks, carbon removals, Article 6.4, CORSIA and emerging regulation. The guide supports buyers to move from spot purchases to long-term strategies that align with net-zero targets, risk management and credible claims in a tightening VCM.
In this report, WEF sets out why transforming the ocean economy is essential for managing climate and nature risk. It explores how policy, data and finance can unlock sustainable investment, with relevance for nature finance and blue carbon in the voluntary carbon market.
Published by the Global Center on Adaptation, this report highlights persistent gaps in adaptation finance and delivery. It outlines priority actions to scale resilience investments, including private capital mobilisation and integration with mitigation efforts relevant to the voluntary carbon market.
Published by UNEP, this report tracks global finance flows for nature and highlights implications for the voluntary carbon market, including declining investment in nature-based credits amid heightened scrutiny of integrity and credit quality.
Published by EDF and Perspectives Climate Research, this paper explores how voluntary carbon market and Article 6 credits could be integrated into debt-for-climate swaps, linking sovereign debt relief to verified emissions reductions through robust MRV systems.
Published by Calyx Global and ClearBlue Markets, this report analyses pricing and quality trends in the voluntary carbon market, showing widening price differentials between high- and low-integrity credits and outlining steps buyers can take to strengthen market integrity.
Sylvera’s 2025 market review shows falling issuance and retirements alongside rising spot-market value, as buyers pay higher prices for higher-quality credits. The report highlights widening price differentials by rating, persistent oversupply of unrated credits, and growing convergence between voluntary and compliance markets.
Based on a survey of 225 large global companies, this report examines current and future participation in voluntary carbon markets. It provides insights into expected demand, purchasing motivations, perceived risks and how companies are approaching credit quality and portfolio strategies.