CATF welcomes progress on Article 6, but urges strong oversight to ensure high-integrity markets
Baku, Azerbaijan – At COP29, negotiators finalized the operationalization of Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, a key framework for international carbon markets. The decision reached by negotiators establishes a framework for countries to cooperate on reducing emissions as outlined in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and paves the way for high-integrity carbon trading mechanisms.
“The strength of the voluntary carbon market is also its greatest weakness. Markets can efficiently facilitate the flow of much-needed capital to projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Kathy Fallon, Director, Land Systems at Clean Air Task Force (CATF). “But they also require strong oversight to guarantee climate outcomes and prevent fraud. It is vital that the UNFCCC supervisory body implement stringent standards and transparency requirements to ensure high-quality credits as the use of emissions offsets scales globally.”
Article 6 will enable countries to more easily trade carbon credits generated from emissions reduction and removal projects, allowing other countries to meet their climate goals through the purchase of offsets. In February 2025, countries are expected to submit their updated NDCs – exactly nine months before COP30. Providing it is rigorous, Article 6 could boost climate ambition by facilitating the flow of capital from nations or other entities to climate projects in countries that exceed their NDCs.
CATF is committed to ensuring that the implementation of Article 6 yields a transparent, high-integrity global carbon market with rigorous standards for international carbon credits. High standards and transparency measures are essential for establishing real, measurable emissions reductions, and restoring trust in the voluntary carbon market.
Moving forward, CATF will remain focused on pushing for improved standards to ensure high-quality credits from forest carbon and biomass-based carbon removal projects. By requiring that high-integrity credits are tied to verifiable climate impact, CATF aims to ensure that carbon markets deliver meaningful contributions to global climate goals.
Press Contact
Natalie Volk, Communications Manager, [email protected], +1 703-785-9580
About Clean Air Task Force
Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global nonprofit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With more than 25 years of internationally recognized expertise on climate policy and a fierce commitment to exploring all potential solutions, CATF is a pragmatic, non-ideological advocacy group with the bold ideas needed to address climate change. CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world. Visit catf.us and follow @cleanaircatf.
