On May 28, the Biden-Harris Administration issued the Voluntary Carbon Markets Joint Policy Statement and Principles (Policy Statement).  You can find Covington’s analysis of the Policy Statement here.  Jointly announced by the U.S. Secretaries of Treasury, Agriculture, and Energy, and senior White House climate officials, the Policy Statement describes a three-pronged approach to responsible carbon market development and participation: (1) credit or supply integrity, including protections regarding climate and environmental justice; (2) demand integrity, to ensure the credible use of credits; and (3) market-level integrity, including facilitating efficient market participation and lowering transaction costs.  The Policy Statement builds on other recent federal actions, including the Commodities Futures Trading Commission’s 2023 proposed guidance for voluntary carbon credit derivatives and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s final climate risk disclosure rule, which requires certain disclosures related to carbon offset purchases, in the Administration’s attention to and elevation of the voluntary carbon market as an important element in the nation’s climate policy. 

In this post, we dive deeper into the voluntary carbon market landscape, implications for business, and additional recent developments. 

The Risks and Opportunities Presented by Voluntary Carbon Markets

Due to issues with monitoring and verification, voluntary carbon markets have struggled to gain traction and the trust of regulators.  Core among these issues is the importance of establishing additionality, or certifying that projects truly incentivize the avoidance or removal of emissions that would not have otherwise occurred.  Along with additionality is permanence, or how long the emissions removed or avoided will be kept out of the atmosphere.  Double counting of these essentially immaterial assets has also been a concern.  Finally, there is the need to prevent any negative impacts on communities local to offset projects, both in the U.S. and internationally, and ensure that profits reach these communities, such as through benefits-sharing arrangements.  Claiming emissions reductions from unverified offsets can also expose companies to reputational damage and potential legal liability, such as under California AB 1305’s carbon offset disclosure requirements, state consumer protection laws, and the EU’s greenwashing directive and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).  The EU is also regulating the voluntary carbon market directly through its Regulation on the Certification of Permanent Carbon Removals.

Ensuring that offset credits represent genuine reductions in carbon emissions is key to developing and responsibly engaging in the voluntary carbon market.  As highlighted in the Administration’s Policy Statement, as a complement to within-value-chain emissions reductions and with appropriate standards in place, the voluntary carbon market can play a key role in reaching decarbonization and net zero targets.

Federal Carbon Market Incentive Programs

By setting forth principles to guide both sellers and purchasers of carbon offsets, the Policy Statement builds on the Administration’s ongoing efforts to catalyze private sector engagement in the voluntary carbon market.  In its fact sheet announcing the Policy Statement, the White House identified several carbon market incentive and integrity programs, namely:

  • The Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which aims to provide technical assistance and carbon credit verification to U.S. farmers, ranchers, and private landowners seeking to generate carbon credits to facilitate their participation in voluntary carbon markets and ensure high-quality credits are produced;
  • The Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchase Pilot Prize administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which allows companies to compete for the opportunity to deliver carbon dioxide removal credits directly to DOE;
  • The Carbon Negative Shot Program, under which DOE committed $100 million in grants for small carbon removal and storage projects as part of its goal of reducing the cost of capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it at gigaton scales to less than $100 per net metric ton of carbon dioxide-equivalent by 2032; and
  • The Energy Transition Accelerator, a carbon finance platform launched by the U.S. State Department in 2022 in partnership with the Bezos Earth Fund and the Rockefeller Foundation that seeks to catalyze the transition to renewable energy in developing countries and, from these efforts, create carbon credits for purchase by companies.

Additionally, in June 2023, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission established the Environmental Fraud Task Force to address fraud and other misconduct in both regulated derivatives markets and in voluntary carbon markets related to purported efforts to address climate change and other environmental risks, providing another example of the growing momentum towards guardrails and integrity standards.

The Voluntary Carbon Market Landscape and Recent Updates

The Policy Statement and associated federal carbon market incentive programs exist within an ecosystem of international, civil society, and private sector efforts to bolster trust in the voluntary carbon market.  We have highlighted three key organizations below, along with some of their most recent initiatives.

Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI)VCMI is a non-profit that seeks to promote voluntary carbon markets primarily through demand-side initiatives, initiatives that target the buyers of carbon credits.  In 2023, VCMI launched its Claims Code of Practice which provides guidance for companies seeking to make claims regarding their use of carbon credits, including a beta Scope 3 Flexibility Claim for those seeking to address their scope 3 emissions.

VCMI is currently seeking feedback and launched a working group for companies interested in trialing the Scope 3 Flexibility Claim.  The final version of the claim is anticipated in September 2024.

Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Markets (ICVCM)ICVCM is a non-profit that seeks to govern and promote participation in voluntary carbon markets.  ICVCM targets carbon credit project developers, serving as the supply-side counterpart to VCMI.  Its most significant initiative to date is the Core Carbon Principles (CCP), which set carbon offset standards and thresholds for disclosure.  On June 6, ICVCM approved seven specific carbon crediting methodologies as meeting the standards for its high-integrity CCP label, which can now be used on an estimated twenty-seven million carbon credits.  Another twenty-seven categories of carbon credits, representing over 50% of the market, remain under active assessment. 

ICVCM plans to launch a series of work programs in 2025 for implementation in 2026 to incorporate additional carbon credit considerations, such as Article 6 of the Paris Agreement’s Corresponding Adjustments, the role of carbon credits in the UNFCCC Adaptation Fund, and the requirements for sustainable development, into the updated principles.

Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)SBTi is a UN-backed corporate climate action coalition that creates emissions-reductions standards and validates corporate decarbonization targets.  In July, SBTi is expected to release draft rules for the use of environmental attribute certificates—defined by SBTi as instruments used to quantify, verify, and track the environmental benefits associated with commodities, activities or projects—for Scope 3 emissions abatement.  Companies may provide input to SBTi regarding the rules prior to their release and, potentially, in a subsequent public consultation period.

Engaging in the Voluntary Carbon Market

Ultimately, the regulations, revised guidelines and principles, and formal projects that arise out of these government and voluntary initiatives have the potential to shape future opportunities and the responsibilities of companies that engage in the voluntary carbon market.  Companies that are planning on engaging in the voluntary carbon market should consider the following:

Assess the risks of participating in the voluntary carbon market.  The voluntary carbon market landscape remains in flux, with no binding requirements that providers or purchasers follow government principles or other industry guidance and best practices.  Careful due diligence is essential to participating in these markets and making any corporate disclosures relating to such participation.   Before engaging in voluntary carbon markets and using offsets to meet net-zero or other decarbonization goals, companies should assess the risk of voluntary carbon markets to determine whether and how they have a role amidst other emissions-reduction measures.

Leverage government and industry principles and initiatives.  Companies should consider using government-issued principles and initiatives, such as those described above, when selecting carbon offset projects.  While doing so does not entirely ensure that offsets are up to par, following government-issued principles, voluntary integrity frameworks, and, where relevant, participating in government-led initiatives can serve as components of due diligence.

Participate in shaping forthcoming rules and standards.  There are a multitude of organizations developing proposed rules and standards that may influence the voluntary carbon market regulatory landscape.  Companies should consider engaging with organizations to shape their proposed guidance so that it is workable in the first instance.

Covington’s Environmental and Energy practices, as well as our unique Carbon Management and Climate Mitigation (CM2) initiative, have extensive experience and capabilities helping clients navigate complex environmental and energy regulatory requirements, including navigating legal risks associated with using carbon offsets.  Follow Inside Energy & Environment for more updates and analysis of the future of voluntary carbon markets.

Gabriela Nagle Alverio, Summer Associate, contributed to this blog post.

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Photo of Paul Mertenskötter Paul Mertenskötter

Paul Mertenskötter advises companies, investors, and governments on regulatory environmental, social, and governance (ESG), international trade, and public policy matters.

He has particular experience advising clients on the European Union’s Green Deal, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence…

Paul Mertenskötter advises companies, investors, and governments on regulatory environmental, social, and governance (ESG), international trade, and public policy matters.

He has particular experience advising clients on the European Union’s Green Deal, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), EU Forced Labor Products Ban, and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). He also advises clients on the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), free trade agreements, the Paris Agreement, and general public international law.

Prior to joining the firm, Paul was a Visiting Scholar at the WTO in Geneva, clerked at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and was a Fellow at the Institute for International Law and Justice at NYU Law School.

Photo of Jayni Hein Jayni Hein

Jayni F. Hein co-chairs the firm’s Carbon Management and Climate Mitigation industry group.

Jayni joins the firm after serving as Senior Director for Clean Energy, Infrastructure & the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) at the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ).

During…

Jayni F. Hein co-chairs the firm’s Carbon Management and Climate Mitigation industry group.

Jayni joins the firm after serving as Senior Director for Clean Energy, Infrastructure & the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) at the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ).

During her tenure at CEQ, she oversaw the Biden Administration’s ambitious environmental and clean energy agenda, leading work on low carbon projects and climate disclosure, and advancing the successful implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021) and Inflation Reduction Act (2022).

Jayni has extensive experience advising clients on climate and environmental laws and regulations, including the Clean Air Act, NEPA, and Endangered Species Act, as well as corporate decarbonization goals and reporting. Leveraging her senior government experience, Jayni advises companies and investors on compliance and strategy in light of increased scrutiny of corporate climate and net-zero commitments. She advises clients on the legal and policy issues relating to ESG and climate-related regulatory requirements, investor demands, global reporting frameworks, and strategic business opportunities.

In addition, as the former senior political appointee spearheading work to revise permitting regulations and issue guidance on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, Jayni offers clients first-hand experience with infrastructure projects that require federal and state permits and authorization. She helps clients identify new funding opportunities and successfully advance clean energy and other infrastructure projects, including onshore and offshore wind, solar, hydrogen, transmission, semiconductor, and carbon, capture, and sequestration (CCS) projects.

Clients benefit from her ability to creatively troubleshoot issues, establish relationships across government, and engage policymakers, industry, non-profit organizations, and other key stakeholders in constructive conversations around climate change, environmental justice, and corporate decarbonization goals.

Photo of Kevin Poloncarz Kevin Poloncarz

Kevin Poloncarz co-chairs the firm’s Environmental and Energy Practice Group, Energy Industry Group and ESG Practice.

Kevin is ranked by Chambers USA among the nation’s leading climate change attorneys and California’s leading environmental lawyers and by Chambers Global among the top climate change…

Kevin Poloncarz co-chairs the firm’s Environmental and Energy Practice Group, Energy Industry Group and ESG Practice.

Kevin is ranked by Chambers USA among the nation’s leading climate change attorneys and California’s leading environmental lawyers and by Chambers Global among the top climate change lawyers, with sources describing him as “exceptional,” “a superb attorney,” and “one of the most gifted advocates in this space in the country.”

He represents electric utilities, financial institutions, investors and companies in policy, litigation and transactional matters concerning power and carbon markets, carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), sustainable aviation fuel, and clean hydrogen.

Kevin convenes the Energy Strategy Coalition, whose members include Austin Energy, Calpine Corporation, Constellation Energy Corporation, National Grid USA, New York Power Authority, NextEra Energy, Inc., Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and Sacramento Municipal Utility District. He also leads the Clean Energy Group, whose members include Austin Energy, Calpine Corporation, Consolidated Edison, Inc., Constellation Energy Corporation, Exelon Corporation, National Grid USA, New York Power Authority, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Tenaska Energy, Inc. Both groups focus on federal environmental policy efforts affecting the power sector.

Kevin also teaches Climate Law and Policy at Stanford Law School.

Photo of W. Andrew Jack W. Andrew Jack

Andy Jack is a broad gauge corporate and securities lawyer who leads multidisciplinary teams to help clients achieve complex business objectives and solve complex business problems.

Andy often serves in outside general counsel or senior strategist roles working closely on strategic matters with…

Andy Jack is a broad gauge corporate and securities lawyer who leads multidisciplinary teams to help clients achieve complex business objectives and solve complex business problems.

Andy often serves in outside general counsel or senior strategist roles working closely on strategic matters with C-suites and boards. His practice spans mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances and joint ventures, venture capital, capital markets, securities compliance, corporate governance counseling, crisis management and dispute settlements.

With deep experience in the energy, diversified industrials, transportation, technology, sports and hospitality industries, much of Andy’s recent transactional and advisory work focuses on issues arising from global sustainability trends and ESG considerations, including the energy transition, vehicle electrification and advanced mobility.

Some examples of this trending work include:

  • Energy
    • Structuring and negotiating joint ventures to produce sustainable aviation fuels and to develop and deploy shared resources to respond to offshore well blowouts.
    • Advising on a carbon capture project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
    • M&A, finance, capital raising and commercial projects for solar PV panel suppliers.
    • Representing corporate offtakers in virtual power purchase agreements to procure renewable energy in support of wind and solar power projects.
    • Advising on U.S. public policy matters affecting the energy transition.
  • Vehicle Electrification and Advanced Mobility
    • A capital markets transaction for an industry leader in advanced mobility.
    • Multiple venture capital financing rounds for an electric truck manufacturer.
    • Joint venture restructuring and M&A transactions for EV battery manufacturers.
    • Collaboration agreements among vehicle electrification technology providers and OEMs.
    • M&A of advanced vehicle components suppliers and engineering service providers.
  • Other industries
    • Advising on board governance structures to address ESG and Sustainability oversight.
    • Assisting clients in developing voluntary sustainability reports and improving SEC reports and proxy statements to address these topics.
    • Responding to shareholder proposals on various ESG issues.

Andy co-chairs the firm’s multidisciplinary global Energy Industry Group and multidisciplinary Sustainability Solutions Initiative. He also serves as pro bono outside general counsel to the American Council on Renewable Energy and as a member of the World Resources Institute Global Leadership Council. With this background and experience, Andy frequently speaks at industry conferences and publishes on these topics. He also serves as an editor of the firm’s Inside Energy & Environment blog

He is Chambers-ranked in Corporate M&A & Private Equity, where clients report that Andy “gives practical advice with commercially reasonable solutions to problems.” He also has been ranked in Legal 500, both for Energy – Renewable/Alternative and Mergers & Acquisitions.