What it is
Ecosystem Marketplace publishes the definitive annual State of the Voluntary Carbon Markets reports, tracking transaction volumes, prices, project types, and buyer trends. It is the primary data source for understanding the voluntary carbon market (VCM), covering both compliance-adjacent and purely voluntary transactions. Reports are freely available.
Why we picked this
The VCM contracted sharply from $2 billion (2021) to $723 million (2023), but quality premiums are emerging. ICVCM-approved credits now trade at 4x the price of unrated credits ($14.80 vs $3.50/tonne). Ecosystem Marketplace's data captures this quality bifurcation in real time, making it essential for anyone evaluating carbon credit strategies.
Key takeaways
- The voluntary carbon market saw volumes decline 56% and REDD+ project values drop 62% between 2021 and 2023 amid integrity concerns.
- Removal-based credits (biochar, direct air capture, enhanced weathering) now represent roughly one-third of market value despite smaller volumes.
- High-integrity credits rated A-AAA command $14.80/tonne versus $3.50/tonne for low-rated credits, a 4x quality premium.