Driving real-world climate action

VCMI is a global nonprofit providing guidance on how to make a meaningful impact on climate action through voluntary use of carbon credits.

Learn more
1 VCMI Launches Scope 3 Action Code of Practice

A high-integrity, practical solution to close the scope 3 emissions gap.

15 May 2025 VCMI partners with Government of Kenya

The 2025 Kenya Carbon Markets Conference backed by VCMI’s Access Strategies program

8 May 2025 Call to companies: Join the Scope 3 Action Challenge

Mobilizing corporate action to close the scope 3 emissions gap

April 17 2025 VCMI welcomes UK consultation on carbon markets

UK Government looks to strengthen role of high-integrity VCMs in meeting global climate targets

April 16 2025 New research demonstrates need for scope 3 action

Report by Ramboll highlights barriers to corporate scope 3 decarbonization

April 8 2025 VCMI partners with Government of Benin to enhance national climate goals
1 Case Study – Natura Cosmetics

Committed to life’: How Natura Cosmetics embraces regeneration as part of its world-leading climate strategy

March 2025 VCMI welcomes SBTi consultation

VCMI welcomes SBTi consultation on Corporate Net Zero Standard

28 January 2025 Case Study – Bain & Company

Being Bold: Global consultancy Bain & Co’s approach to climate action

1 Claims Readiness Check

Are you interested in making a Carbon Integrity Claim? Determine your company’s readiness by completing this simple questionnaire.

17 December 2024 The Time is Now: Harnessing Global Carbon Markets to Finance Climate Action

What COP29 meant for carbon markets — what needs to happen next.

11 November 2024 Guidance Note: Navigating Decisions on Carbon Markets

Helping develop a host country’s carbon market strategy.

28 October 2024 Policy Brief: Enhancing Biodiversity Through Carbon Markets in LAC

Informing governments and investors on how to prioritize carbon projects with biodiversity benefits.

25 September 2024 VCMI and ACMI Announce Strategic Partnership

VCMI and ACMI Announce Strategic Partnership to Scale Up Africa’s Voluntary Carbon Market

13 June 2024 VCMI partners with CVF-V20

Ensuring the countries most vulnerable to climate change receive the social, environmental, and economic benefits of voluntary carbon markets.

10 June 2024 Natura Cosmetics’ Platinum Claim

Brazil-based Natura Cosmetics has become the first emerging market business to achieve a Carbon Integrity Platinum Claim.

1 Submit a VCMI Claim

Companies that are ready to make a Carbon Integrity Claim can now do so through the VCMI Claims Reporting Platform.

1 Claims Code of Practice

VCMI’s Claims Code of Practice provides guidance for companies and other non-state actors to make voluntary use of carbon credits as part of net-zero transitions, and make credible claims.

1 Scope 3 Claim

VCMI is strengthening its beta Scope 3 Claim with a public consultation. The Claim offers a science-based approach for companies to take action on scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions that remain unabated.

At the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI), we are committed to ensuring everyone understands how carbon credits can help channel climate finance to where it matters most.

We provide guidance for companies and other non-state actors on how they can credibly make voluntary use of carbon credits as part of their climate commitments, and how they can communicate their use of those credits. Our guidance provides clarity, transparency, and consistency on what these commitments and claims mean and will give confidence to all those engaging with voluntary carbon markets.

About VCMI

How companies
can achieve
net zero
emissions?

Demonstrating climate leadership is essential to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. VCMI is proud to work with The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Markets (IC-VCM), We Mean Business Coalition (WMB), Climate Disclosure Project (CDP), Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) to build integrity in the voluntary carbon market and provide companies with confidence and clarity on the path to net zero.

Our Work

Claims Code of Practice

We provide guidance for companies and other non-state actors on how they can credibly make voluntary use of carbon credits as part of their climate commitments, and how they can communicate their use of those credits. Our guidance provides clarity, transparency, and consistency on what these commitments and claims mean and will give confidence to all those engaging with voluntary carbon markets.

Learn more

Resources for making a VCMI Claim

How to make a claim

Leverage high-quality carbon credits to accelerate global net zero.

Carbon Integrity 101

This webinar series teaches companies to learn how to make Carbon Integrity Claims, step-by-step.

Claims Reporting Platform

Companies can submit all information through our easily accessible reporting platform.

Access Strategies

VCMI seeks to engage host countries and regions to facilitate participation in voluntary carbon markets in ways which maximize the environmental, social, and economic benefits that carbon finance can bring. Our Access Strategies program delivers holistic technical assistance that complements Paris Agreement frameworks.

Access Strategies Toolkit

Sets out key considerations for host countries to aid decisions on whether, why, how, and when to engage with VCMs.

Learn more

VCMI partners with the Climate Vulnerable Forum

Ensuring the countries most vulnerable to climate change receive the social, environmental, and economic benefits of voluntary carbon markets.

Learn more

“Voluntary Carbon Markets catalyze crucial capital flow into emerging markets, embodying the ‘all hands on deck’ ethos we desperately need. While direct mitigation remains our priority, these markets are vital bridges, channelling resources and efforts where they are most needed. Every action counts, and the leadership of Voluntary Carbon Markets Initiative to foster high-integrity voluntary carbon markets are critical to ensure that the global community can contribute collectively to the biggest challenge humanity has faced.”

Ambassador Patricia Espinosa Former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

“Voluntary carbon markets can be a powerful tool for mobilizing the investment in innovative technologies and actions needed to keep a 1.5°C limit on warming within reach. VCMI is performing a vital service by establishing high-integrity pathways for companies to support stronger climate action while making progress toward their own net zero- goals. By creating sound guardrails for the use of high-quality carbon credits, the new VCMI guidance will provide strong assurance that this finance will help deliver the greater climate action we so urgently need.”

John Kerry U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate

“We would like to congratulate the release of additional guidance for the Claims Code of Practice. The additional guidance could contribute to the operationalization of environmental integrity in voluntary carbon markets. We believe the leadership of VCMI can unlock the finances to accelerate the mitigation activities toward net zero by 2050.”

Mr. Yutaka Matsuzawa Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Ministry of the Environment, Japan

“The Claims Code of Practice has a vital role to play in building trust in the voluntary carbon markets and giving companies the confidence they need to invest in vital climate action. We look forward to working with colleagues on the Stakeholder Forum to shape the future development of the Code.”

Philip Brady Emergent

Latest news & events

View all
25 April 2025 VCMI welcomes French Government Carbon Credit Charter to stimulate high-integrity demand amongst world’s leading companies
Press Release | Policy and Regulation
17 April 2025 UK looks to strengthen role of high-integrity voluntary carbon markets in meeting global climate targets
Press Release
16 April 2025 New Research: Immediate Solutions Needed as Companies Struggle to Make Progress on Scope 3 Targets 
Blog | Corporate Climate Action
17 December 2024 Listen: After COP29, what’s next for carbon markets
Media
Driving integrity in voluntary carbon markets for climate resilience & a sustainable future

"*" indicates required fields

Sign up to our newsletter, a monthly digest of the latest news on voluntary carbon markets from VCMI
By signing up to receive our newsletters you agree to receive updates, news and information from VCMI in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from these services at any time.
© 2025 Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative