VCM.fyi: Voluntary Carbon Markets News

Mahmoud

Weekly 15-minute intelligence briefings for carbon market professionals. Get actionable insights on VCM trends, quality standards, pricing, and transaction data. Backed by analysis of 5,000+ Verra projects. For: Corporate ESG teams, project developers, carbon investors, sustainability consultants. Your Bloomberg for Carbon Markets. 📧 Newsletter: news.vcm.fyi 🌐 Platform: vcm.fyi #CarbonMarkets #VCM #ESG #SustainabilityIntelligence

Episodes

  1. 11/28/2025

    COP30 Emergency: $30M Soil Carbon Breakthrough Validates NBS, Article 6.2 Goes Live, CDM Sunset Timeline Set

    The voluntary carbon market fundamentally restructured this week. In this emergency briefing, Mahmoud breaks down the most consequential seven days for carbon project developers since Paris 2015. 🔥 LEAD STORY: Mirova's $30M Investment in Varaha The largest soil carbon transaction in history just validated nature-based removals as an institutional asset class. What the 18-month due diligence process reveals about the new bankability requirements for project developers. 🌍 COP30 DELIVERS THREE STRUCTURAL SHIFTS: → Article 6.2 Protocol goes live (Nov 25) — standardized framework for host country authorization → CDM sunset timeline finalized — June 2026 hard deadline for PACM transition → Open Coalition launches with 18 countries (Brazil, China, EU, UK) signaling compliance-VCM convergence 💰 CAPITAL FLOWS: $1.1 billion announced at COP30 (42% above COP29), with 78% directed to nature-based solutions. Deal-by-deal breakdown: Frontier's $41M BECCS, TD Bank's multi-year IFM agreement, Google's 200K REDD+ credits. 📊 MARKET BIFURCATION ACCELERATES: • CCP-eligible credits: 35% price increase, 149% volume surge • Legacy credits: facing structural devaluation • Vintage premium: 217% for credits issued in past 5 years • Removal premium: 381% over avoidance credits ⚠️ CRITICAL DEADLINES FOR DEVELOPERS: • June 2026: Final CDM-to-PACM transition deadline (no extensions) • Dec 8, 2025: SBTi Net-Zero V2 consultation closes • Q1 2026: Article 6.2 host government outreach window 🎯 IMMEDIATE ACTION ITEMS: → Audit all CDM projects for PACM eligibility by Q1 2026 → Begin Article 6.2 authorization dialogue with host governments → Assess CCP eligibility across pipeline (agriculture requires 40-year permanence) → Re-price inventory: segregate CCP/CORSIA/Article 6-eligible from legacy credits → Upgrade MRV infrastructure (digital monitoring now table stakes) The message is unambiguous: projects designed for compliance-grade integrity from day one will command premium pricing. Those built on legacy methodologies face asset stranding risk. This is Mahmoud from VCM.fyi. Keep building the carbon economy—but build for the market that exists NOW, not the one that died at COP30. 📧 Subscribe to weekly intelligence: news.vcm.fyi 📊 Track real-time pricing & transactions: app.vcm.fyi 📅 Book a demo: calendly.com/mahmoudmobir/30min #CarbonMarkets #COP30 #Article6 #ClimateFinance #VCM #SoilCarbon #ParisAgreement

    13 min
  2. 09/25/2025

    Week of September 23, 2025 — Barclays’ First CDR Offtake, Brazil’s CO2 Price Floor Plan, Verra Cancels Kariba Over-Issuance | VCM.fyi Weekly Intelligence

    This week’s highlights: Barclays’ first CDR offtake: 6,538 tCO₂ via enhanced rock weathering in Canada; pilot into high‑integrity removalsBuyers double down on removals: Wise expands with Opna; Anglo American partners with Isometric/ZeroEx on ERW in BrazilMicrosoft invests in Fortera (low‑carbon cement) with rights to environmental attribute credits (Scope 3 strategy)Policy: Indonesia moves toward Verra MRA + carbon value decree before COP30; Brazil proposes CO₂ price floor “club” and launches B3 registry pilotMarket data: EM 2025 report shows 2024 transactions ~25% lower YoY, prices ~5.5% lower; removals command ~381% premium; spot volumes weak; two‑speed market persistsIntegrity: Verra cancels over‑issued Kariba credits; launches digitized rice methodologyBarclays–UNDO ERW deal: https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4519415/barclays-undo-ink-landmark-enhanced-rock-weathering-carbon-removal-dealWise/Opna, EM recap: https://carbonherald.com/vcm-shows-resilience-amid-transition-ecosystem-marketplace-finds-in-new-report/Anglo–Isometric–ZeroEx ERW: https://carbonherald.com/isometric-anglo-american-and-zeroex-partner-to-deliver-verified-carbon-credits/Microsoft–Fortera: https://www.esgdive.com/news/climate-week-nyc-2025-announcements-disaster-response-green-deals-j-and-j-levis-microsoft-mastercard/760980/Indonesia–Verra MRA: https://carbon-pulse.com/438476/Brazil price floor + B3 registry: https://carbon-pulse.com/438556/ and https://carbon-pulse.com/438616/Spot market/data signals: https://carbon-pulse.com/438461/Verra Kariba action: https://verra.org/verra-acts-on-kariba-project-cancels-excess-credits-advances-independent-review/Links mentioned:Get the full brief and real‑time intel: vcm.fyiWe build the most comprehensive VCM intelligence platform—sign up for early access at vcm.fyiNote: All figures are sourced and linked for verification 1.

    14 min
  3. 08/01/2025

    VCM weekly - Auditing Crisis Rocks VCM as Microsoft Drives Record $15.5B Carbon Removal Quarter

    This week brings a seismic shift to the voluntary carbon market with revelations that could reshape the entire industry. A groundbreaking study reveals that 64% of Verra's certified auditors have signed off on problematic projects where overcrediting was later acknowledged - essentially showing that the auditing system we've all relied on has fundamental flaws.But it's not all doom and gloom. We're also seeing historic breakthroughs in project financing, with Chestnut Carbon closing the first-ever $210 million non-recourse facility backed by traditional banks like J.P. Morgan. This proves carbon credits can finally be treated as bankable assets.Meanwhile, Microsoft continues its aggressive carbon removal strategy, dominating Q2 with 14.6 million tonnes purchased - nearly 95% of the entire quarter's volume. We're talking deals worth hundreds of millions with companies like AtmosClear and Vaulted Deep.On the regulatory front, the EU just opened the door to international credits for the first time since 2012, potentially creating a €10 billion annual market by 2040. But there's a supply crisis brewing - CORSIA needs 144 million credits by 2028, but only 15.8 million have been issued.For project developers, this week's news creates both massive opportunities and urgent warnings about quality standards. We'll break down exactly what this means for your projects and where the smart money is moving.Plus, we'll cover the ICVCM's accelerating methodology approvals, Africa's new continental carbon initiative, and why quality premiums just hit 65% between Tier 1 and Tier 3 credits. This is the intelligence you need to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving VCM landscape.

    14 min
  4. 07/04/2025

    VCM.fyi Newsletter - Week of July 4, 2025: Big Beautiful Bill Transforms Carbon Markets

    The Big Beautiful Bill Transforms Carbon Markets: What Every Developer Must KnowThe carbon market just changed forever. This week's episode breaks down how the "One Big Beautiful Bill" creates unprecedented opportunities and challenges for carbon project developers.🚨 CRITICAL DEADLINE: September 2, 2025 - Renewable energy projects have just 60 days to begin construction or lose federal tax credits entirely.What You'll Learn: Why renewable energy credit prices will surge 900% by 2030How nature-based solutions now command 15x premium over renewablesWhy carbon capture projects get $85/metric ton government backingThe 3-tier action timeline every developer needs to followWhich project types will capture 5-10x pricing increases by 2030How CORSIA Phase II creates $96.5/tonne compliance demand in 2027Record 95 million credits retired in H1 2025 with 32% value jumpHigh-rated credits (BBB+) commanding $27 premium$43.4 billion invested in carbon removal projectsGeographic opportunities in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and emerging marketsMarket Intelligence Covered:For: Carbon project developers, sustainability executives, climate finance professionals, and VCM market participants who need strategic intelligence to navigate the transformed market landscape.Key Takeaway: Quality beats quantity in the new carbon economy. Early movers who embrace enhanced standards and strategic positioning could see massive returns, but the window for repositioning is narrow.

    18 min
  5. 06/26/2025

    Carbon Credit Crisis: Quality Revolution Triggers Market Realignment

    🚨 MARKET ALERT: The VCM has reached a historic inflection point. This week's intelligence briefing reveals how we've gone from a 52% credit surplus to just 1.9%—the tightest market in VCM history. 🔍 CRITICAL DEVELOPMENTS COVERED: • Historic supply crunch: Why Q1 2025 data signals the end of the oversupply era • Verra's REDD+ methodology revolution: VM0048 transition deadline creates massive project impact • Clean cookstove crisis: How one project revealed 26× credit overestimation • Waste & biogas boom: Why these projects doubled their market share • VCM talent shortage: 40-60% salary inflation for specialized roles 📊 KEY MARKET INTELLIGENCE: • Quality premium now 217% for recent vintage credits • ~25% of 2023 retired credits won't qualify for new quality standards • First Article 6.4 credits launching while 1,389 legacy CDM projects await transition • National governments (UK, Singapore) setting quality thresholds that could strand inventory 🎯 STRATEGIC TAKEAWAYS FOR: ✅ Project Developers: Immediate actions for REDD+ transitions and methodology upgrades ✅ Corporate Buyers: Quality premium trends and policy compliance requirements ✅ Investors: Talent market opportunities and emerging technology bets ✅ Consultants: Skills gaps and service opportunities in the evolving market 💡 EXCLUSIVE INSIGHTS: Drawing from our analysis of 5,000+ Verra projects and real transaction data, we break down which methodologies are winning in the new quality-focused landscape and what the shift to potential "negative net issuance" means for pricing. ⏰ 16-minute deep dive into the week's most market-moving VCM developments. 📧 Full analysis with data charts: news.vcm.fyi 🌐 Platform intelligence: vcm.fyi #CarbonMarkets #VCM #REDD #QualityStandards #VCMIntelligence #SustainabilityFinance

    16 min

Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Weekly 15-minute intelligence briefings for carbon market professionals. Get actionable insights on VCM trends, quality standards, pricing, and transaction data. Backed by analysis of 5,000+ Verra projects. For: Corporate ESG teams, project developers, carbon investors, sustainability consultants. Your Bloomberg for Carbon Markets. 📧 Newsletter: news.vcm.fyi 🌐 Platform: vcm.fyi #CarbonMarkets #VCM #ESG #SustainabilityIntelligence