Voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) offer an important market mechanism that allows firms to efficiently abate their emissions. By utilizing the VCM, firms can buy voluntary carbon credits (VCCs) from carbon projects that have a lower marginal cost of abatement, allowing firms to decarbonize more efficiently.
This efficiency may lead to firms decarbonizing their operations more quickly and further than they would otherwise do on a voluntary basis.
One of the main obstacles in delivering the lowest cost abatement through VCCs and liquid, transparent VCMs is the perceived risk of greenwashing and its associated reputational and regulatory risks.
This paper: (1) provides an overview of VCCs; (2) explains greenwashing; (3) describes the origin, causes and risks of nature- and technology-based VCC methodologies at both the credit and system level; (4) discusses the effects of greenwashing on primary and secondary carbon markets; (5) highlights market reforms to minimize the risk of greenwashing (both regulatory and industry-led efforts); and (6) provides recommendations.
Click on the PDF to read the paper in full.
Documents (1) for Navigating the Risks of Greenwashing in the Voluntary Carbon Market
Latest
Safe, Efficient Markets for SFTs
Securities financing transactions (SFTs) – including repurchase agreements (repo), securities lending, buy/sell backs and margin lending – are foundational to the functioning of modern financial markets. They support the day-to-day distribution of liquidity, enable collateral to move efficiently across cash...
ISDA, GFXD, UK Finance, LMA Respond to HMT on UK BMR Reform
On March 11, ISDA, the Global Foreign Exchange Division of the Global Financial Markets Association, UK Finance and the Loan Market Association responded jointly to a consultation from His Majesty’s Treasury on the future regulatory regime for benchmarks and benchmark...
ISDA Recommendations to Simplify EU Regulation
On March 9, ISDA submitted a paper to the European Commission setting out focused proposals to improve the functioning of the EU regulatory framework for derivatives. The paper comprises eight targeted recommendations to simplify selected Level 1 provisions in a...
New Selection Process for Standard Reference Obligations (SROs) FAQs
This Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQ”) document gives information about the new selection process for Standard Reference Obligations (SROs). Note that ISDA may update these FAQs on occasion. Please check back periodically for new versions.