Carbon Markets
Voluntary Carbon Markets 101
The ecosystem of carbon credits, registries, and market integrity
About this course
Why this course exists
A comprehensive introduction to voluntary carbon markets covering the carbon credit lifecycle, major registries (Verra, Gold Standard), integrity frameworks (ICVCM, VCMI), project types, and buyer guidance.
What you will learn
After this course you will be able to
- Explain how a carbon credit is generated, verified, issued, and retired
- Compare Verra, Gold Standard, ACR, and CAR registries on the dimensions that matter to a buyer
- Identify the integrity risks in any voluntary credit and apply ICVCM Core Carbon Principles
- Read a project description document for a real methodology and form a defensible opinion
Course content
6 modules · 26 lessons
Walk through the modules in order or jump to a specific lesson. Each lesson is a real chapter you can open and start reading immediately.
Module 1·4 lessons
Carbon Markets Fundamentals
Why Carbon Markets Exist
- 0.15 min read
Climate Change & the Need for Carbon Pricing
TSVCM Phase II Report, Section 1
- 0.25 min read
Compliance vs Voluntary Markets
ICVCM Assessment Framework, Introduction
- 0.35 min read
The Carbon Credit: What It Represents
Verra VCS Standard v4.5, Section 3
- 0.45 min read
History of the VCM: CDM to Present
TSVCM Phase II Report, Section 2
Module 2·4 lessons
The VCM Ecosystem
Players, Registries & Infrastructure
- 1.15 min read
Market Participants: Developers, Buyers, Brokers, Raters
TSVCM Phase II Report, Section 3
- 1.25 min read
Verra & the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)
Verra VCS Program Guide v4.5
- 1.35 min read
Gold Standard & Other Registries
Gold Standard Requirements 2022
- 1.45 min read
The Credit Lifecycle: From Project to Retirement
Verra VCS Program Guide v4.5, Section 4
Module 3·5 lessons
Project Types & Methodologies
How Carbon Credits Are Generated
- 2.15 min read
Avoidance vs Removal Credits
ICVCM Assessment Framework, Section 5
- 2.25 min read
Nature-Based Solutions: REDD+, ARR, IFM
Verra VCS Standard v4.5, Section 4
- 2.35 min read
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
Gold Standard Requirements 2022, Section 3
- 2.45 min read
Engineered Removal: DACCS, Biochar, Enhanced Weathering
ICVCM Assessment Framework, Section 6
- 2.55 min read
Household & Community Projects: Cookstoves, Water Filters
Gold Standard Requirements 2022, Section 4
Module 4·4 lessons
Quality & Integrity
Separating Good Credits from Bad
- 3.16 min read
The Five Quality Criteria
ICVCM Core Carbon Principles, Section 2
- 3.26 min read
ICVCM Core Carbon Principles (CCPs)
ICVCM Assessment Framework, Section 3
- 3.36 min read
VCMI Claims Code of Practice
VCMI Claims Code, November 2023
- 3.47 min read
Ratings & Due Diligence: BeZero, Calyx, Sylvera
ICVCM Assessment Framework, Section 7
Module 5·4 lessons
Pricing, Trading & Market Dynamics
How Carbon Credits Are Valued & Traded
- 4.15 min read
What Drives Carbon Credit Prices?
TSVCM Phase II Report, Section 4
- 4.25 min read
Spot, Forward & Futures Markets
TSVCM Phase II Report, Section 5
- 4.35 min read
Market Data & Price Benchmarks
TSVCM Phase II Report, Section 6
- 4.45 min read
Market Size, Trends & Projections
TSVCM Phase II Report, Section 7
Module 6·5 lessons
Buyer Strategy & Corporate Use
Using Carbon Credits Responsibly
- 5.15 min read
The Mitigation Hierarchy: Reduce First, Then Offset
Oxford Principles for Net Zero Aligned Carbon Offsetting, Section 1
- 5.25 min read
Contribution vs Offsetting Claims
VCMI Claims Code, Section 3; SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard, Section 8
- 5.35 min read
Building a Corporate Credit Portfolio
Oxford Principles, Section 3; VCMI Claims Code, Section 4
- 5.45 min read
Greenwashing Risks & Stakeholder Communication
VCMI Claims Code, Section 5
- 5.56 min read
The Future of VCMs: Article 6, Digital MRV, Tokenization
TSVCM Phase II Report, Section 8
Continue your path
This course is part of 1 curated path
Each path is a sequence of five courses designed to take a practitioner from first principles to defensible output. Pick one to see where this course fits.