Key distinctions on carbon market mechanisms continue to delay consensus on global climate action.
At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, negotiators are focusing on the implementation of carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This article allows countries to collaborate in meeting their climate goals, such as through carbon credits. However, a significant obstacle in establishing a global carbon credit programme is the debate over the distinctions between carbon avoidance, removal, and reduction.
Carbon avoidance refers to actions that prevent future emissions, such as protecting forests to stop deforestation. Carbon removal involves actions that actively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, such as through afforestation or direct air capture technologies. Carbon reduction focuses on cutting emissions at the source, such as transitioning to renewable energy or implementing energy efficiency measures.
These distinctions are contentious because they affect how carbon credits are issued, traded, and accounted for. The debate centers on the environmental integrity of each approach and how they align with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
At COP29, experts like Anshari Rahman, a former climate negotiator for Singapore, continue to address these challenges. Without consensus on these key issues, global cooperation on carbon markets and climate action could face significant delays.
