ClearBlue Markets

ClearBlue has issued its Voluntary Carbon Market Supply and Demand Report for Q3 2024. This report is designed to help our clients track price movements across different VCM project types, stay updated on the latest regulatory developments related to the VCM, and review the latest issuance and retirement trends from major registries. Key Highlights: 🔹 Offset Prices Stabilizing: Over-the-counter (OTC) trades saw price stabilization with average prices rising, while exchange-traded contracts suffered from collapsing prices due to low trading volumes. 🔹 Project Quality Divergence: ARR prices diverged from REDD as the market focused on perceived high-quality projects. 🔹 ICVCM’s Major Decisions: The second round of ICVCM assessments rejected over 267 million renewable energy credits, approving nearly 20 million, bringing the total to 47 million. 🔹 U.S. Regulatory Updates: Major updates on voluntary carbon credit derivatives and disclosure standards were introduced, while progress at international events like Climate Week NYC and the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body laid the groundwork for COP29. 🔹 Offset Issuances and Retirements: 186 million offsets were issued, a slight increase year-over-year. Forestry issuances rebounded with a 65% YoY rise in Q3, but REDD saw further declines due to controversies. Energy efficiency credits surged, with cookstove projects dominating. Offset retirements rose 10% YoY, with REDD and energy efficiency projects leading Q3 retirements. Contact us to subscribe to this report, to discuss the broad range of services we provide to voluntary carbon market participants, and how Vantage, our carbon intelligence platform, can assist. cc Nicholas Curtis

🌿 Did you know? ClearBlue offers evaluation of projects from the perspective of both developers and investors, with feasibility studies, due diligence reporting and on-the-ground technical support ensuring a project's success. In our latest white paper, Close to Nature Forestry in the Orinoco Savannas of Colombia, ClearBlue Markets partnered with Inverbosques, a Colombian afforestation company, to explore how a close-to-nature approach could transform the region. This paper represents the most comprehensive effort to date by our local team in South America and highlights ClearBlue’s expertise in due diligence and technical support, both in the region and globally. 👉 Learn more and download our white paper in English or Spanish, here: https://lnkd.in/g-jsUxkd This paper was presented by author Juan Manuel Cardona Granda today at #COP16 in Cali, Colombia. Also attending COP16 are ClearBlue’s Nicolas Girod and Wilson Cabanzo Rojas. Reach out to book a discussion about forestry, biodiversity, nature-based solutions and what’s new with ClearBlue Vantage, our carbon intelligence platform.

We’re excited to present The Sustainability Leader’s Guide to the Voluntary Carbon Market Fall Reading List!   This season’s reading list explores various aspects of credit procurement, featuring Meta’s landmark purchase of 1.3 million carbon removal credits, Nasdaq’s report on growing corporate interest in carbon credits, and Google’s strategic investment in forestry-based carbon removal. You’ll also find insights from leading sustainability experts on designing a voluntary carbon credit portfolio that balances both short and long-term decarbonization goals. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gAeimYUd As always, each article is accompanied by a TL;DR summary so you can quickly grasp critical concepts and stay aligned with your sustainability objectives.   This curated selection is now live on the ClearBlue Vantage platform. We hope it is a valuable resource in your journey toward meaningful and effective sustainability strategies.

ClearBlue Markets CEO Michael Berends shares his perspective in The Globe and Mail, responding to a call for provinces to link their carbon markets and enable cross-border credit trading. The article, penned by climate reporter Adam Radwanski, explores the potential benefits of enhanced market integration.

How do sustainability leaders make the leap from identifying their offset needs to purchasing high-quality credits? If you’re purchasing carbon credits in the next six months, this is a discussion you won’t want to miss. Register for this November 6 webinar: https://bit.ly/40ffA0E to hear from ClearBlue’s co-founder and CEO, Michael Berends and fellow panellists Louis Mark of Autodesk, Troy Pilgreen of Dimensional Fund Advisors, and Donna Lee from Calyx Global as they chat through procurement strategies and advice for buying high-quality carbon credits.

The results of British Columbia's October 19 provincial election are still undecided, with the NDP and Conservatives nearly tied in seat counts. Carbon pricing and related climate policies have been central campaign issues, with both parties proposing significant changes. The Conservatives plan to eliminate the Carbon Tax and Low Carbon Fuel Standards, while the NDP would consider changes only if federal rules allow. The final vote count, including mail-in ballots, is expected between October 26 and 28. ClearBlue is closely following the results and their potential impact on B.C.'s climate policies. Read our article for more information: https://lnkd.in/ghDQ8WXg cc Chloe McElhone

More news coverage on ClearBlue’s EV Credits Aggregator: In a recent interview with Carbon Pulse, our CTO and co-founder Nicolas Girod shared plans to expand ClearBlue's EV Credits Aggregator tool to the US and other markets beyond Canada. https://lnkd.in/de5ujak6 Launched in September, this platform helps clients generate electric vehicle (EV) credits under Canada's Clean Fuels Regulations (CFR) while reducing costs and simplifying the credit process. With the growing demand for electrification solutions, we look forward to bringing this solution to US jurisdictions with existing and planned electrification programs, such as California, Oregon, and New York. Read the full Carbon Pulse article here: https://lnkd.in/dmgtPXHk Read the original news release here: https://lnkd.in/dyF4kcWA #EV #Cleanfuels #Carbonmarkets #Sustainability #CFR

Verra has launched the VM0050 cookstove methodology, consolidating previous methodologies into a single framework that incorporates best practices in project design and digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (dMRV). This update aims to align with the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market's (ICVCM) Core Carbon Principles (CCP) and is expected to impact supply and demand in the voluntary carbon market (VCM). Cookstove projects have played a key role in carbon markets since 2008, beginning with methodologies developed under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). In addition to reducing emissions, clean cookstove projects are known to offer co-benefits, including gender equity and health improvements. These projects are also seen as a critical strategy in reducing household air pollution, which the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated caused 3.2 million deaths in 2020. Despite their long-standing role in the carbon markets, cookstove projects have faced increasing scrutiny. A January 2024 research paper criticized these methodologies for over-crediting emissions reductions in many projects. In response, Verra issued a statement addressing the study and outlining next steps. The new VM0050 cookstove methodology marks a significant move toward higher integrity in the VCM. Its alignment with ICVCM's CCP and improvements in MRV processes are expected to boost confidence in cookstove credits. Read more in our article >>>  https://lnkd.in/dw3evY-E For more information about our analysis of the voluntary carbon market or to subscribe to ClearBlue Vantage, our carbon intelligence platform, contact us today.