Unlocking finance for ambitious climate action

VCMI is a global nonprofit working to mobilize private sector finance for climate action and sustainable development by scaling high-integrity carbon credit markets.

 

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14 October 2026 Article 6 Handbook for senior policymakers in climate vulnerable countries published

Ahead of COP31, a the Article 6 Senior Officials’ Handbook has been published. Backed by 77 climate-vulnerable countries, the Handbook will support policymakers to engage in international carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

12 October 2026 Resources published to support high-integrity agricultural carbon markets in India

Backed by India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, the trio of tools provide practical guidance on assessing carbon market opportunities in the agriculture sector

16 September 2026 Report published on policy options to strengthen domestic carbon credit markets

The report, published in conjunction with Climate Focus, is intended to support policymakers to build the frameworks to scale high-integrity carbon credit markets

1 September 2026 VCMI and the Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance partner to progress high-integrity carbon markets

The partnership supports the sustainable growth of carbon markets across East Africa

30 July 2026 New initiative to help climate-vulnerable countries make use of carbon markets to finance adaptation plans

VCMI to work with Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) on research to support climate-vulnerable countries and countries with high adaptation needs

11 June 2026 VCMI Executive Director responds to new SBTi Standard

Mark Kenber welcomes SBTi’s recognition of companies that invest in carbon credits

23 April 2026 Climate vulnerable countries assert carbon markets leadership

Climate vulnerable countries showcased landmark carbon markets milestones during the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings

30 March 2026 New guide helps policymakers safely test carbon market innovations

The guide help governments and financial authorities test and refine carbon market regulations

26 February 2026 New guide to developing validation and verification bodies for Africa’s growing carbon market

The report outlines nine priority actions to address the current shortage

4 November 2025 Coalition launches Shared Principles for growing use of high-integrity carbon credits

A collective, government-backed framework for the use of carbon credits by business

20 November 2025 New guide on best practices for high-integrity carbon projects in Brazilian Amazon

Produced with the state governments of Acre and Rondônia, providing localized guidance

18 October 2025 VCMI and CVF-V20 partner to upscale the Carbon Finance Program

Closing the climate investment gap in climate vulnerable nations

11 September 2025 New collaboration to strengthen high-quality carbon projects in the Brazilian Amazon

Announcing the upcoming Best Practices Guide

19 August 2025 VCMI launches updated Carbon Markets Access Toolkit

Providing dedicated support for governments to unlock finance

17 July 2025 New research reveals what it takes to create a confident carbon market

Businesses need clear, aligned, and stable rules on how and when to use carbon credits

24 June 2025 Coalition launches at London Climate Action Week

A government-led initiative to scale carbon markets and boost finance for ambitious climate action

2 June 2025 SBTi must embrace carbon markets to keep net zero within reach

VCMI’s Executive Director Mark Kenber shares key recommendations

22 May 2025 VCMI announces strategic partnership with Government of Panama

Providing in-house support for the development of a high-integrity National Carbon Market

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

Mobilizing corporate action to close the scope 3 emissions gap

30 April 2025 VCMI launches Scope 3 Action Code of Practice

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

VCMI collaborates with stakeholders from civil society, the private sector, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and governments to harness the full potential of high-integrity carbon markets.

We set the global benchmark for credible corporate use of carbon credits through our Codes of Practice, helping build trust, confidence and consistency across the market. Our Access Strategies Program supports emerging markets and developing economies to leverage growing demand for carbon credits to unlock finance for climate action. We also support governments to unlock corporate demand for carbon credits by hosting the Secretariat for The Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets.

About VCMI

How can
emerging economies
unlock carbon
finance?

Download the Carbon Markets Access Toolkit

Through our Access Strategies Program and partnership with the Climate Vulnerable Forum and its V20 Finance Ministers (CVF-V20), VCMI supports emerging markets and developing economies to build the policies, capacity and infrastructure needed to leverage carbon markets to deliver finance for their climate and sustainable development priorities.

 

Our Work

For Companies

Claims Code of Practice

Our guidance sets the global benchmark for credible, best practice corporate use of carbon credits. The Claims Code of Practice and Scope 3 Action Code of Practice shape corporate action and consistency across international standards and policy frameworks, embedding high-integrity use of carbon credits across the market and avoiding the greenwashing pitfalls of the past.

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For Governments

Access Strategies

VCMI’s Access Strategies Program supports emerging markets and developing economies to leverage growing demand for carbon credits to unlock much-needed finance for climate action.

Carbon Markets Access Toolkit

VCMI’s Carbon Markets Access Toolkit provides policymakers in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) with a vital playbook to unlock finance from carbon markets in support of their climate and sustainable development goals.

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CVF-V20 Carbon Finance Program

VCMI is working with the Climate Vulnerable Forum-V20 to support climate-vulnerable member states to leverage high-integrity carbon markets to finance their Climate Prosperity Plans.

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“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

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14 October 2026 New handbook on Paris Agreement Article 6 released ahead of COP31 to support climate-vulnerable countries engage with carbon markets
Press Release | Access Strategies
01 September 2026 VCMI partners with Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance to advance sustainable and equitable carbon markets
Press Release | Access Strategies
30 July 2026 New initiative to help climate-vulnerable countries make use of carbon markets to finance adaptation plans
Press Release | Access Strategies
24 July 2026 How carbon credit markets can fuel the race for climate resilient agriculture in Africa
Insights | Access Strategies
16 June 2026 VCMI at London Climate Action Week 2026
Events | LCAW
05 June 2026 VCMI, GGGI and CVF-V20 Co-host a roundtable at SB64 in Bonn, Germany
Events | COP30
13 April 2026 Can carbon markets help Latin America lead the global transition to climate-resilient agriculture?
Insights | Access Strategies