Through a series of speaking engagements and events at Africa Climate Summit 2 (ACS2), our team will highlight the role of  high-integrity carbon markets in advancing Africa’s climate agenda and sustainable development priorities. Join us as we help to accelerate the role of high-integrity carbon markets as a tool to finance Africa’s resilient and green development – the theme for ACS2.

  8th September     
12:00 – 13:00 (EAT)

Meeting the New Carbon Market Demand with High-Integrity Credits

Hosted by the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) | Room T1 | Bianca Gichangi, VCMI’s Regional Lead for Africa, will provide the scene-setting opening address

This side-event aims to explore how international demand for high-integrity credits can support sustainable development in Africa. The event will unpack key developments across voluntary and Article 6 carbon markets, explore the emerging demand landscape for high-integrity carbon credits, and how countries, private sector stakeholders and local communities can fully grasp these new opportunities.

  9th September     
16:30-17.30 (EAT)

Regional Collaboration in the Establishment of Carbon Markets In Africa

Hosted by the Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance | Room F3 | Bianca Gichangi, VCMI’s Regional Lead for Africa, will be speaking

This session aims to highlight and amplify the African leadership in carbon markets, and showcase the launch of a new manual – Developing Nature-based Carbon Projects in Eastern Africa – developed by Climate Focus and the Eastern Africa Alliance as part of VCMI’s Access Strategies Program.

  10th September       
  09:30-11:00 (EAT)

Aligning High integrity Carbon Markets with National Climate and Development Goals: A Toolkit for African Policymakers

Hosted by VCMI, the United Nations Development Programme, Climate Vulnerable Forum-V20, Eastern African Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance, and the West African Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance | Room F3 |Bianca Gichangi, VCMI’s Regional Lead for Africa, will be speaking

This workshop will support policymakers in determining if and how to engage with high-integrity carbon markets to advance their national climate and development goals.

The session will introduce participants to VCMI’s Carbon Markets Access Toolkit—a set of five concise briefs designed to answer common questions from host countries and offer structured guidance for strategic engagement in carbon markets. Country case studies will highlight practical lessons in developing enabling environments to attract investment and an interactive segment will guide participants through designing equitable and transparent benefit-sharing arrangements.

Policymakers can express their interest in attending this workshop by completing this form.

  10th September       
  15:30-17:00 (EAT)

Africa’s Carbon Markets Moment: Advancing Development, Mobilizing Capital and Driving Global Climate Action

Hosted by VCMI, the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), and Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa) | Room F2 

Africa has a unique opportunity to lead a new era of carbon markets—not as fragmented, aid-driven projects, but as integrated, investable systems that deliver sustainable development, nature regeneration, and climate action.

This session will present a landscape approach—linking demand, supply, and enabling conditions—to build a high-integrity carbon market ecosystem that mobilizes both international and domestic capital. On the demand side, it will explore drivers such as Article 6, CORSIA, and voluntary action to meet corporate climate commitments. On the supply side, it will address institutional and policy readiness, project developer capacity, and project pipelines.

Learn more about Africa Climate Summit 2.

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A thriving carbon market will unlock finance to support the decarbonisation and sustainable development agendas of Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs), which is critical to meeting global climate goals.

The Coalition comprises ambitious governments committed to advancing climate action through credible business use of high-integrity carbon credits alongside deep corporate decarbonisation. The Coalition is co-chaired by Ali Mohamed, Kenya Special Climate Envoy; Ravi Menon, Singapore Ambassador for Climate Action; and Rachel Kyte, UK Special Representative for Climate.

France and Panama are founding members of this coalition of ambitious governments committed to advancing climate action through the credible use of high-integrity carbon credits. The Coalition will expand over the coming months to include countries which are sources of demand for carbon credits as well as countries which are sources of supply of credits. The Government of Peru has already endorsed the Coalition’s mission, recognising the critical role of carbon markets and corporate use of carbon credits in delivering climate-positive growth globally.

By COP30, the Coalition will deliver its first results by issuing a clear set of shared principles on the voluntary use of high-integrity carbon credits by businesses to provide consistency in approach across jurisdictions. This is in response to calls from businesses for greater clarity from governments on the use of carbon credits as part of corporate decarbonisation plans. The shared principles will give businesses the confidence and incentives they need to invest in a proven but underused climate financing tool and continue to strengthen and scale carbon markets. The Coalition will work closely with businesses, so that policies and incentives better respond to business needs.

The principles will help to grow demand for high-integrity carbon credits, thereby helping to increase the flow of climate finance to EMDEs, by better reflecting the true value of emissions reductions and removals being delivered. This will boost investment in climate-positive businesses, sustainable development and projects such as sustainable agriculture, clean energy, as well as nature conservation and restoration.

The Coalition represents a bold new approach to mobilising essential private sector investment to help close the USD$1.3 trillion climate finance gap without adding to the debt burden. By boosting demand for high-integrity credits, the market could expand to as much as USD$250 billion by 2050 in direct and leveraged finance to support climate action globally.

This move has also been welcomed by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) as a response to calls from business for more cohesion and transparency, and stronger, clearer incentives to engage with carbon markets. The ICC and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) will be partners to the Coalition, playing a critical role to ensure that its work is informed by the needs, experiences and ambitions of global business.

In addition, the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM), an independent governance body which sets the global quality threshold for the supply of credits in the voluntary carbon market through the Core Carbon Principles, is also working with the Coalition to support seamless alignment between the demand and supply sides of the market.

Carbon markets direct finance to projects that can cut emissions faster and at lower cost. This helps modernise industries, cuts pollution, creates employment opportunities, and delivers lasting benefits for local communities and ecosystems. But reputational and legal risks, concerns about integrity of supply, and lack of consistent guidance have stopped companies from buying credits, even though they recognise the opportunity they offer to deliver more rapid climate action at scale.

The Coalition will build on the progress made on Article 6 at COP29, and high-integrity supply frameworks such as the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM)’s Core Carbon Principles starting to shape the market. There is a clear role for Governments now to align, through the Coalition, to support a level playing field and the high-integrity scaling of voluntary market use.

Learn more about the Coalition

QUOTES  

“To help unlock private sector finance at the scale and pace needed to support global climate ambitions, we must energise the carbon markets. This Coalition will help foster investor and stakeholder confidence, and strengthen the integrity and interoperability of these markets while delivering real emissions reductions. Singapore will play a meaningful role in catalysing the development of the voluntary carbon market as a financial and services hub, and through our investments in impactful decarbonisation projects globally,” said Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Singapore.

“The UK is championing the responsible use of carbon credits by taking action to spearhead global efforts to raise integrity, supporting UK businesses to grow these markets and delivering growth through the Plan for Change. Through this new Coalition, we’re giving businesses the clarity they need to invest in high-integrity credits that drive real impact for climate and nature, unlocking carbon markets as a trusted tool in accelerating towards net zero,” said Kerry McCarthy MP, Minister for Climate, UK Government.

“Kenya’s leadership in this Coalition reflects our commitment to transforming how climate finance reaches developing nations. By boosting demand for high-integrity credits, the market could expand to as much as $250 billion by 2050 in direct and leveraged finance, supporting global climate action, particularly through transformative projects in developing countries.” said Ali Mohamed, Kenya Special Climate Envoy and Co-Chair of the Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets.

“This new Coalition is a welcome response to the clear call from the global business community to bring clarity, build confidence and integrity for carbon credit buyers, and to scale incentives that reward real climate action. 

High-integrity carbon markets are a vital—but still underused—tool in our climate arsenal. When done right, they empower businesses to cut emissions faster, invest at scale, and accelerate the global transition to net zero. 

Today’s announcement is more than a policy signal—it’s a commitment to action. We commend this leadership and stand ready to support this Coalition in unlocking the full potential of carbon markets for people, planet, and prosperity,” said Philippe Varin, Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). 

“I am glad to announce that France is officially joining the Coalition launched by the governments of Kenya, Singapore and the UK to support the development of robust, credible and effective carbon markets. 

This commitment is consistent with France’s long-standing leadership on climate action and advocacy for high-integrity carbon markets, which present an untapped potential to increase corporate action and mobilize climate finance where it is most cost effective. 

As a Coalition, we can send a clear message to the market and bring the needed clarity and confidence for investors. We are looking forward to working in partnership with other governments to unlock the full potential of carbon markets,” said Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister of Ecological Transition, Government of France. 

“I welcome this effort to provide greater clarity from governments on corporate use of carbon credits to increase climate action. Social and environmental integrity standards of carbon markets are vital to ensure the public trust in this important instrument. Therefore, political leadership is critical to building confidence and ambition, and we welcome this signal of cooperation,” said Ana Toni, CEO of COP30.

“The Ministry of Environment of Peru supports the Coalition’s effort to foster a carbon market environment where integrity and high standards are valued and recognized. We need to facilitate greater financial flows towards mitigation activities and sustainable development, and we see this as a promising foundation for strengthening global partnerships,” said Racquel Soto, Vice Minister of Strategic Development of Natural Resources, Government of Peru.

Notes to editors  

The Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets is supported by a Secretariat hosted by VCMI. The Secretariat provides technical, administrative and logistical support to Co-Chairs and the Coalition activities. VCMI has established guidance on best practice voluntary use of carbon credits by business as part of corporate decarbonization plans.

For media enquiries, please contact VCMCoalition@fgsglobal.com

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Through a series of speaking engagements and events, our team will highlight the role of high-integrity carbon markets to achieve a just and effective transition. Join us as we contribute to shaping the future of climate innovation and integrity. 

Ana Carolina Szlko, VCMI’s Technical Director, will be sharing insights on global carbon trading and best practices for engaging with the market.

  23rd June       
  8:30-13:30

Net Zero Delivery Summit

Hosted by the City of London   |  Mark Kenber, Executive Director, VCMI; Ana Carolina Szlko, Technical Director, VCMI; and Usha Rao-Monari, Chair, VCMI Steering Committee attending

The Net Zero Delivery Summit marks the crucial halfway point between COP summits. This high-impact moment accelerates climate ambition. It is where leaders in finance, policy, and sustainability come together to drive progress beyond pledges. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to shape the private sector’s role in turning commitments into meaningful and measurable action.

  24th June       
  14:00-15:00

Reset Connect | Global Carbon Trading: Overcoming Barriers and Seizing Opportunities

Ana Carolina Szlko, Technical Director, VCMI speaking

Reset Connect London bridges the gap between sustainability and energy professionals, large corporations, government leaders, policymakers, tech providers, investors, innovators, purpose-led brands and entrepreneurs.

  25th June       
  11:00-12:00

Reset Connect | The Carbon Market Conundrum: Executive Strategies for Overcoming Trading and Offsetting Challenges

Ana Carolina Szlko, Technical Director, VCMI leading roundtable

Reset Connect London bridges the gap between sustainability and energy professionals, large corporations, government leaders, policymakers, tech providers, investors, innovators, purpose-led brands and entrepreneurs.

Learn more about London Climate Action Week 2025

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Through a series of speaking engagements and events, our team will highlight the role of high-integrity carbon markets to achieve a just and effective transition. Join us as we contribute to shaping the future of climate innovation and integrity. 

Mark Kenber, VCMI’s Executive Director, will offer insights on international carbon markets, as well as efforts to scale uptake of high-integrity carbon markets through credible claims and support for countries’ carbon markets strategies. 

George Hodgetts, Policy Associate, will be attending events and holding meetings with governments and partners in support of VCMI’s Access Strategies Programme.

  10th June       
  11:00-13:30
  Closed door

Corporate Leadership Roundtable: High-Integrity Carbon Credit Use Cases 

Hosted by the World Bank   |  Mark Kenber, Executive Director, VCMI speaking

This roundtable aims to gather leading businesses advancing credible climate action and developers of high-integrity mitigation projects from developing countries. 

  10th June       
  13:20-14:20

Building Trust in Carbon Markets: Ensuring Integrity and Real Climate Impact

Hosted by the World Bank   |  Mark Kenber, Executive Director, VCMI moderating

This session will explore how countries and market players are working to strengthen carbon market mechanisms—ensuring genuine emissions mitigation while implementing frameworks that channel carbon revenues to support communities in need. 

  12th June       
  09:30-10:30

Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) 2.0: Building Trust, Unlocking Climate Finance

Hosted by the World Bank   |  Mark Kenber, Executive Director, VCMI, speaking on panel

This session gathers bold leaders from across the value chain — countries, corporate buyers, standard-setters and financiers — to chart the course forward: scaling demand, restoring confidence, and unleashing the full potential of carbon markets to bridge the climate finance gap.

  12th June       
  10:40-11:40

Workshop: Navigating Decisions in International Carbon Markets: Foundations for a Coherent Strategy

Hosted by the World Bank   |  Mark Kenber, Executive Director, VCMI moderating & George Hodgetts, Policy Associate attending

This session will launch a new guidance note for host countries and feature a panel discussion with partners and country representatives discussing challenges in developing a carbon markets strategy and opportunities for host countries for reducing risks to their climate goals while optimizing benefits for the country. 

Learn more about Innovate for Climate Conference 2025

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At 11:15am, our Executive Director Mark Kenber will be speaking on the panel High-Integrity Carbon Markets: Moving Beyond Offsetting alongside Guy Turner, Managing Director, MSCI Carbon Markets, and Maria Eugenia Filmanovic, Co-Founder, Abatable. The conversation will be moderated by Frank Watson, Deputy Head of Content, Carbonwise.

This summit will bring together leading global policymakers, industry experts, and market participants to explore the latest trends, regulations, and innovations shaping the future of carbon markets. It will serve as a platform for discussions about this evolution and how carbon markets can drive climate action, facilitate sustainable growth, and create new opportunities for businesses and investors alike.

Learn more

Listen to Mark Kenber’s pre-event interview

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