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.

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Ready to lead on climate?

…set, go: fill out our simple questionnaire to see how close your company is to making a Carbon Integrity Claim.

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.

Submit a VCMI Claim

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

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.

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

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.

“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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27 November 2024 Events

The new era of climate finance: A year-end review and look at what’s ahead for carbon markets

15 November 2024 Press Release

VCMI welcomes UK Principles of high-integrity voluntary carbon markets and process for implementation

31 October 2024 Events

VCMI at COP29

17 October 2024 Insights

VCM Day: How global climate leaders came together to unlock the potential of a reformed voluntary carbon market

30 September 2024 Press Release

VCMI co-chair Rachel Kyte announced as new UK climate envoy

25 September 2024 Press Release

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

11 September 2024 Press Release

Yucatán Government Launches Innovative Guide for Carbon Project Development in the Voluntary Carbon Market

06 September 2024 Insights

Organizations Leading Voluntary Carbon Market Reform to Host Inaugural VCM Day at Climate Week, New York To Help Deliver on the Promise of High-Integrity Carbon Markets

05 September 2024 Events

VCMI at NYCW 2024

26 July 2024 Request for Proposal

VCMI opens request for proposals: Research on Barriers to Scope 3 Decarbonization

23 July 2024 Press Release

VCMI announces public consultation on beta Scope 3 Claim

13 June 2024 Blog

To deliver on climate goals, companies must strengthen governance: Ramboll study insights show how and why

Driving integrity in voluntary carbon markets for climate resilience & a sustainable future

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© 2024 Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative