Evaluation and analysis of domestic and international carbon market mechanisms, with the objective to inform design of new mechanisms which can support countries to achieve their climate commitments, to increase future ambition, and to support sustainable development.
Carbon market mechanisms play an important role in many international and domestic discussions around climate change mitigation efforts and come with both opportunities, but also risks. Internationally, the 2015 Paris Agreement set out provisions for market mechanisms to assist countries in achieving their nationally determined contributions, increase ambition and support sustainable development. Parties continue to work on the exact design of these mechanisms. International aviation and shipping are also considering carbon market mechanisms as a climate change measure. The “Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation” (CORSIA) started in 2021; and International Maritime Organization (IMO) also lists market-based measures as a candidate measure for its strategy to reduce GHG from global shipping. Increasing numbers of national and sub-national jurisdictions are also working on various forms of carbon pricing. In addition, the future role of voluntary carbon markets is increasingly in the spotlight, with a growing number of companies setting emission reduction or net-zero targets; many companies are purchasing carbon offset credits to ‘neutralise’ their emissions, while others – aware of the limitations of offsetting– are seeking alternative approaches.
NewClimate Institute is active in the analysis, evaluation and design of international and domestic carbon market mechanisms. We have developed a depth of analysis on the Kyoto mechanisms to inform the design and development of future mechanisms, particularly those that increase mitigation ambition of countries and deliver an overall mitigation impact. NewClimate’s climate responsibility approach sets an alternative blueprint for companies to address their own corporate climate responsibility, marking an alternative approach for the future of voluntary carbon markets that focuses on transparency and constructive impact.
Our experts combine years of experience working in various capacities with the Kyoto Protocol mechanisms, the EU ETS and voluntary offsetting markets. We provide inputs to discussions under CORSIA and IMO, and advise international policy makers on emerging market concepts and piloting activities.
Associated projects
Understanding Climate Neutrality and Net Zero Targets
A growing number of countries and companies are setting climate neutrality or “net-zero” targets. Although the apparent growth in climate ambition of these actors is a promising development…
Informing EU policy options for tackling aviation’s climate impact
Assessing ICAO’s global market-based measure (CORSIA) and its interaction with the EU ETS.
CORSIA: Analysis and evaluation of regulating international aviation emissions through offsetting
NewClimate Institute conducted research to support the German Emission Trading Authority on CORSIA design issues.
Future role for voluntary carbon markets after 2020
This research project considers the future role for voluntary carbon markets after 2020.
Analysis of pre-2020 developments in the global carbon market
Continuous analysis of the status and developments of mitigation activities in the global carbon market up to 2020. Return to all expertise and projects The German Emission Trading Authority (DEHSt) at the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) contracted a consortium, led by NewClimate Institute, to evaluate the situation and developments in the international carbon market over… Read More
Virtual Article 6 Pilots
NewClimate Institute is working to elaborate virtual Article 6 pilots to contribute to the discussion regarding rulemaking for Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Sustainable development framework for market mechanisms
This ongoing research project aims to overcome the previously identified barriers to combine SD and GHG mitigation impacts through the identification of practical solutions and concrete proposals for the implementation of SD indicators in GHG mitigation projects.
Technical advisory services “Global Carbon Market”
NewClimate Institute was contracted by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), as part of a larger consortium, to advise GIZ’s agency on its “Global Carbon Market” project.
Benchmarking Guide for climate policy instruments
NewClimate Institute developed a practical and in-depth guide on how to design and implement benchmarks for policy makers.
Innovative Financing Options for the Adaptation Fund
Assessing potentials and pathways for financing adaptation through carbon pricing approaches
Development of a sectoral market based approach
Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Mitigation in Colombian Housing Return to all expertise and projects Colombia faces an affordable housing deficit, rapid urbanisation pressure, and the need to improve energy efficiency to reduce emissions from the building sector while working towards longer term decarbonisation. To address these challenges, NewClimate Institute and Oeko Institute, supported by… Read More
Integration of market mechanisms and emission trading schemes
Design and integration of market mechanisms and emission trading schemes under a new climate change agreement. The German emission trading authority (DEHSt/UBA) contracted NewClimate Institute together with adelphi and Öko-Institut to provide a foundation for the formulation and further development of a German position in the climate negotiations, and to facilitate a scientifically-based contribution of… Read More
Offsetting in carbon taxation systems
Analysis of the potentials and limits of different offset standards in bilateral and global CO2 price systems. Currently, an increasing number of countries and regions develops CO2 pricing mechanisms, including carbon taxes and emission trading systems. Some of these countries are designing or plan to design standards for the use of offsets in their pricing… Read More
Carbon market mechanisms in future international cooperation on climate change
Overview of the options for the use of carbon market mechanisms in a 2015 climate change agreement
Carbon integrity assessment of mitigation actions
Development of a methodology and scorecard to assess the carbon integrity of mitigation actions
Results-based financing in Carbon Markets – connecting market and non-market based approaches
Current situation of results-based financing (RBF) approaches in climate policy.
Bilateral agreements as basis towards piloting sectoral market mechanisms
Opportunities provided by bilateral agreements for piloting market-based approaches at sectoral levels. The research work analyses how bilateral agreements between countries could be used to pilot international carbon market activities on sectoral levels to ensure a minimum activity level in this transition period from existing to new mechanisms. Return to all expertise and projects The… Read More
Evaluating the state of the CDM
Evaluation of the present implementation status of CDM projects and identification of support measures to keep CDM projects mitigating. Return to all expertise and projects The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) was introduced by the Kyoto Protocol and has developed into one of the most important international carbon market instruments. The CDM stimulated investments in greenhouse… Read More
Further reading
Results-Based Finance in the Paris Era Dec 2020 - A discussion of using aspects of carbon market mechanisms for results based finance in the Paris era, including challenges, some solutions, and a potential niche role going forward. 
Indicators for the promotion of sustainable development in carbon market mechanisms Dec 2020 - This report assesses options for the effective implementation of sustainable development impact assessment, in the context of climate change mitigation mechanisms such as those of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Indicators for sustainable development under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement Dec 2020 - This report analyses how the role of sustainable development can be strengthened in the process of further designing the mechanisms under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. 
Analysis of current developments in global carbon markets Dec 2020 - The major aim of this research project was to provide insights on the state of current carbon market activities and options for supporting the continuation of new and existing mitigation activities in the pre-2020 period. This report contains a summary of the findings and combined conclusions from all analysis components addressed within the project. 
Considerations for Article 6 engagement Nov 2020 - What should countries considering hosting emission reduction activities take into account with regard to engaging in carbon markets under the Paris Agreement.
Setting Incentives for Emission Reductions in Developing Countries: The Case of Social Housing in Colombia Nov 2020 - Exploration and discussion of considerations for a Net Zero Energy Building Article 6 Pilot under the Paris Agreement in Colombia. 
CDM supply potential for emission reductions up to the end of 2020 Nov 2020 - Updated estimates of CDM supply potential to inform ongoing negotiations at the UNFCCC on rules for Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Future role for voluntary carbon markets in the Paris era Nov 2020 - We critically assess options for the voluntary carbon market and offer a set of recommendations, heading into the Paris era.
Analysis and assessment of the design of an offsetting system for international aviation Nov 2020 - This research project analyses matters that are critical for implementing CORSIA and ensuring that it effectively delivers on its objective of achieving carbon neutral growth.
Climate neutrality claims Sep 2020 - Country and company climate neutrality targets are not all equal. This discussion paper explores factors to consider in gauging the ambition of climate neutrality targets from climate leadership to greenwashing.