Market Intelligence & Industry News

News

Methodology updates, policy developments, market intelligence, and upcoming events, curated from UNFCCC, Verra, Gold Standard, ICVCM, and African regulatory bodies.

UNFCCC Article 6.4 Supervisory Body formally adopts first CDR framework, pyrolysis biochar methodology approved

A landmark session of the Art. 6.4 Supervisory Body formally adopted the first carbon dioxide removal methodology under the Paris Agreement mechanism, covering pyrolysis-derived biochar systems with permanence periods exceeding 100 years. The decision opens the pathway for ITMO-generating CDR projects under bilateral Article 6.2 arrangements and the multilateral 6.4 registry.

Source:UNFCCC

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Policy1 April 2026

Kenya Carbon Markets Authority issues binding guidance on Article 6 corresponding adjustment requirements for VCS and Gold Standard projects

Kenya Carbon Markets AuthoritySource

Methodology Update2 April 2026

Verra releases VM0042 v2.1, updated default emission factors for East African agroforestry and revised additionality thresholds

Verra RegistrySource

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Industry news,
by category.

Biochar carbon removal, UNFCCC Article 6.4 CDR methodology

BreakingPolicy & Regulation

7 April 2026·UNFCCC

UNFCCC Article 6.4 Supervisory Body formally adopts first CDR framework, pyrolysis biochar methodology approved

Read on UNFCCC

Kenya Carbon Markets Authority Article 6 corresponding adjustment guidance

Policy & Regulation

1 April 2026·Kenya Carbon Markets Authority

Kenya Carbon Markets Authority issues binding guidance on Article 6 corresponding adjustment requirements for VCS and Gold Standard projects

The KCM Authority confirmed all new Letters of Authorisation issued after 1 June 2026 will include mandatory corresponding adjustment clauses for credits used in international transfers. Existing LoAs issued before that date are grandfathered under the old framework, but developers are advised to seek voluntary CA endorsement to maintain buyer eligibility in the premium ITMO market.

Read on Kenya Carbon Markets Authority

Biomass and agroforestry production for VM0042 soil carbon methodology

Methodology Update

2 April 2026·Verra Registry

Verra releases VM0042 v2.1, updated default emission factors for East African agroforestry and revised additionality thresholds

Verra's minor revision to VM0042 v2.0 clarifies sampling protocols for smallholder plots under one hectare, adjusts IPCC Tier 2 emission factors for East African Highland soils, and provides supplementary guidance on the new common practice survey requirement. Developers with active v2.0 PDDs must update their monitoring plans within six months of the publication date.

Read on Verra Registry

ICVCM Core Carbon Principles label expansion for cookstoves and renewables

Methodology Update

28 March 2026·ICVCM

ICVCM approves Core Carbon Principles label for 12 additional methodologies, GS-ICS and AMS-I.D now CCP-eligible

The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market has expanded Core Carbon Principles eligibility to include Gold Standard's Improved Cookstoves methodology and UNFCCC's AMS-I.D small-scale renewable energy category. The expansion is significant for African project developers, for whom cookstoves and solar home systems represent the most active project pipeline segments.

Read on ICVCM

Voluntary carbon market issuance data and analysis

Market Intelligence

25 March 2026·VCMI Market Report 2025

Voluntary carbon market issuances reach 280 MtCO₂e in 2025, strongest rebound since 2021 peak

Total VCM issuances rebounded strongly in 2025 after two years of headwinds, according to the VCMI's annual market report. REDD+ leads by volume at 95 MtCO₂e issued, while CDR categories, biochar, enhanced rock weathering, and direct air capture, command the highest per-tonne prices at $120–$400. African project types collectively represent 22% of total issuances by volume, up from 17% in 2024.

Read on VCMI Market Report 2025

REDD+ forestry nature-based solutions and CCB co-benefit premium pricing

Market Intelligence

31 March 2026·Carbon Pulse

REDD+ credits with verified CCB co-benefits trading at $18–24/tCO₂e premium over standard forestry, demand surge continues

Premium voluntary market pricing for CCB-certified REDD+ credits has surged in Q1 2026, driven by European corporate buyers with high-integrity procurement policies. Projects holding CCB Gold status are commanding $22–$28/tCO₂e against $6–$10 for uncertified forestry credits. The spread reflects tightening supply of high-quality nature-based solutions rather than weakened demand for standard credits.

Read on Carbon Pulse

Gold Standard IoT monitoring and MRV support for cookstove programmes

Webinar & Training

27 March 2026·Gold Standard Foundation

Gold Standard technical webinar: IoT monitoring requirements for large-scale cookstove programmes, 15 April 2026

Gold Standard will host a technical deep-dive on its mandatory IoT usage monitoring rollout for ICS programmes exceeding 50,000 stoves, following the publication of AMS-II.G v11. The session covers data transmission standards, approved sensor manufacturers, validation audit protocols, and the 18-month grace period for existing programmes to achieve compliance.

Read on Gold Standard Foundation

Conference

24 March 2026·UNFCCC Secretariat

UNFCCC SB64 Bonn: Article 6 operationalisation and NDC ratchet mechanism on agenda for June sessions

The UNFCCC Secretariat has published the provisional agenda for SB64 in Bonn (8–18 June 2026). Key items include technical expert dialogue on Art. 6.4 registry operationalisation, the first review of Nationally Determined Contribution ambiguity metrics, and a new workstream on non-market approaches under Art. 6.8 relevant to African country parties.

Read on UNFCCC Secretariat

Conference

24 March 2026·Africa Carbon Forum

Africa Carbon Forum 2026 call for abstracts, Nairobi, September 15–17

The Africa Carbon Forum, co-hosted by UNFCCC, AfDB, and UNEP, has opened its call for practitioner abstracts for the 2026 Nairobi edition. Priority tracks include Article 6 deal structuring, dMRV innovation, blue carbon project development, biodiversity credit markets, and just transition finance for African industrial sectors. Abstract submission deadline: 1 June 2026.

Read on Africa Carbon Forum

IFC Environmental and Social Policy update, compliance and climate risk disclosure

Policy & Regulation

20 March 2026·IFC

IFC publishes updated Environmental and Social Policy with enhanced climate risk disclosure requirements for new commitments

The International Finance Corporation has updated its Environmental and Social Policy to require mandatory TCFD-aligned climate risk disclosure for all Category A and B projects with commitments from January 2027. The update also strengthens PS6 biodiversity baseline requirements, explicitly incorporating TNFD LEAP methodology as an accepted approach for projects in high-biodiversity-value areas.

Read on IFC

Conference

30 March 2026·Carbon Expo Africa

Carbon Expo Africa 2026 registration open, Kigali, 12–14 May. Early-bird pricing closes 30 April

Africa's flagship carbon market conference returns to Kigali with expanded programming across Article 6, dMRV innovation, blue carbon, biodiversity credits, and just transition finance for industrial sectors. The 2026 edition introduces a dedicated East Africa project developer showcase and an investor matchmaking programme connecting DFI capital with pipeline projects.

Read on Carbon Expo Africa

EU CSRD mandatory TNFD nature disclosure for corporate biodiversity reporting

Policy & Regulation

18 March 2026·EFRAG / CSRD

EU CSRD technical standards confirm TNFD-aligned nature disclosure mandatory for large companies from FY2026 reporting cycle

The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group confirmed that TNFD-aligned disclosures will be mandatory under ESRS E4 (biodiversity and ecosystems) for large EU companies and non-EU companies with significant EU market presence from the FY2026 reporting year. The decision creates direct downstream disclosure requirements for African subsidiaries and supply chain suppliers to European corporates.

Read on EFRAG / CSRD

Upcoming Events

The 2026
conference calendar.

Key conferences, webinars, and workshops for carbon market practitioners, ESIA professionals, and environmental finance teams across Africa and globally.

April 2026

WebinarFeatured

Gold Standard IoT Monitoring Webinar

Online·Gold Standard Foundation

Technical deep-dive on mandatory IoT monitoring for ICS programmes >50,000 stoves under AMS-II.G v11.

Webinar

Verra Methodology Briefing: VM0042 v2.1

Online·Verra

Verra walks through the v2.1 changes, transition requirements, and updated default factors for East African soil systems.

May 2026

12–14

ConferenceFeatured

Carbon Expo Africa 2026

Kigali, Rwanda·Carbon Expo Africa

Africa's flagship carbon market conference, Article 6, dMRV, blue carbon, biodiversity credits, and DFI matchmaking.

Workshop

IETA Article 6 Practitioners Workshop

Nairobi, Kenya·IETA

Practical workshop on Article 6.2 deal structuring, corresponding adjustment documentation, and ITMO transfer procedures for East African project developers.

June 2026

8–18

ConferenceFeatured

UNFCCC SB64, Bonn Climate Conference

Bonn, Germany·UNFCCC

Key agenda items: Art. 6.4 registry operationalisation, NDC ambition review, and non-market approaches under Art. 6.8.

Workshop

Gold Standard Art. 6.4 Readiness Workshop

Online·Gold Standard Foundation

Guidance for Gold Standard project developers on preparing for Art. 6.4 authorisation, CA documentation, and registry transition.

September 2026

15–17

ConferenceFeatured

Africa Carbon Forum 2026

Nairobi, Kenya·UNFCCC / AfDB / UNEP

Co-hosted by UNFCCC, AfDB, and UNEP, focused on African project development, just transition finance, and nature markets.

October 2026

October

Conference

VCMI Annual Conference 2026

London, UK·VCMI

The Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative's annual gathering on high-integrity market standards, claims guidance, and corporate procurement frameworks.

November 2026

November

ConferenceFeatured

COP31, UN Climate Conference

Belém, Brazil·UNFCCC

First Global Stocktake follow-up year. Key tracks expected: Art. 6 market review, Loss & Damage Fund operationalisation, NDC ambition ratchet.

December 2026

RoundtableFeatured

Supacare Annual Carbon Market Roundtable

Nairobi, Kenya·Supacare Solutions

Supacare's annual gathering for project developers, investors, and regulators, reviewing the year in African carbon markets and previewing the 2027 pipeline.

Enquire

Supacare team members will be present at Carbon Expo Africa, Africa Carbon Forum, and the UNFCCC SB64 in Bonn. Get in touch to arrange a meeting.

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News

UNFCCC Article 6.4 Supervisory Body formally adopts first CDR framework, pyrolysis biochar methodology approved

Kenya Carbon Markets Authority issues binding guidance on Article 6 corresponding adjustment requirements for VCS and Gold Standard projects

Verra releases VM0042 v2.1, updated default emission factors for East African agroforestry and revised additionality thresholds

Industry news,by category.

UNFCCC Article 6.4 Supervisory Body formally adopts first CDR framework, pyrolysis biochar methodology approved

Kenya Carbon Markets Authority issues binding guidance on Article 6 corresponding adjustment requirements for VCS and Gold Standard projects

Verra releases VM0042 v2.1, updated default emission factors for East African agroforestry and revised additionality thresholds

ICVCM approves Core Carbon Principles label for 12 additional methodologies, GS-ICS and AMS-I.D now CCP-eligible

Voluntary carbon market issuances reach 280 MtCO₂e in 2025, strongest rebound since 2021 peak

REDD+ credits with verified CCB co-benefits trading at $18–24/tCO₂e premium over standard forestry, demand surge continues

Gold Standard technical webinar: IoT monitoring requirements for large-scale cookstove programmes, 15 April 2026

UNFCCC SB64 Bonn: Article 6 operationalisation and NDC ratchet mechanism on agenda for June sessions

Africa Carbon Forum 2026 call for abstracts, Nairobi, September 15–17

IFC publishes updated Environmental and Social Policy with enhanced climate risk disclosure requirements for new commitments

Carbon Expo Africa 2026 registration open, Kigali, 12–14 May. Early-bird pricing closes 30 April

EU CSRD technical standards confirm TNFD-aligned nature disclosure mandatory for large companies from FY2026 reporting cycle

The 2026conference calendar.

Gold Standard IoT Monitoring Webinar

Verra Methodology Briefing: VM0042 v2.1

Carbon Expo Africa 2026

IETA Article 6 Practitioners Workshop

UNFCCC SB64, Bonn Climate Conference

Gold Standard Art. 6.4 Readiness Workshop

Africa Carbon Forum 2026

VCMI Annual Conference 2026

COP31, UN Climate Conference

Supacare Annual Carbon Market Roundtable

Get methodology updates and market intelligence before they move the market.

Industry news,
by category.

The 2026
conference calendar.