Integrity Council launches new guidance for navigating high-integrity carbon markets 

The Integrity Council has today launched the first module of a new guidance series designed to help organisations navigate high-integrity carbon markets.  

The world is off track to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, with current pathways pointing to 2.8 °C of warming by 2100. Mobilising private investment in climate mitigation activities is essential to close the funding gap and accelerate a global transition that avoids a catastrophic climate breakdown. 

As governments, companies and other actors increasingly recognise carbon markets as an important tool to channel investment into urgently needed climate projects, it is crucial to ensure that approaches to carbon market engagement are rooted in high integrity.  

The Integrity Council is launching a series of guidance documents to support policymakers, businesses and practitioners engage with high-integrity carbon markets and utilise the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) in their carbon market strategies.  

Module one: building a shared foundation 

The first module provides a clear and accessible introduction to carbon markets and the CCPs.  

Designed as an entry point for a wide range of market participants – from policymakers and project developers to businesses and civil society organisations – the first module explains:  

• What carbon markets are and how they operate 

• How carbon credits are created, measured and used 

• The role of carbon-crediting programs and methodologies 

• The Integrity Council’s CCPs and how they define high integrity 

• The role of international frameworks such as Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and CORSIA 

The module builds a shared understanding of how high-integrity carbon credits can support credible climate action. For different market participants, this means:  

• Governments and policymakers can better understand how the CCPs can support the development of credible carbon market frameworks.  

• Businesses can make informed decisions on the use of high-integrity carbon credits within their climate strategies.  

• Civil society organisations can engage more effectively in discussions around carbon market integrity and safeguards.  

• Communities can better understand the role of high-integrity carbon markets in supporting climate and sustainable development outcomes.  
• Market actors can align with clear and consistent expectations around quality and transparency. 

Coming soon: guidance for policymakers   

This module is the first in a series. The next module, due for publication later this year, will be tailored specifically to governments and policymakers looking to develop their own carbon market frameworks or use CCP labelled credits as a tool for Article 6 cooperation. It will provide practical guidance on how to develop carbon market frameworks grounded in integrity, and set out how the CCPs can support these efforts.  

Subsequent modules will expand this support to other groups, ensuring they have access to relevant, tailored guidance to support informed engagement and decision-making around carbon markets. 

Towards trusted, scalable carbon markets 

The launch of this guidance series marks another step in the Integrity Council’s work to support the development of trusted, transparent and interconnected global carbon markets that deliver meaningful and sustainable climate action.  

As momentum continues to build, ensuring that the whole market has access to trusted and practical information will be crucial to deliver scaled, inclusive and impactful carbon markets.