Oxford Principles for Responsible Engagement with Article 6

The Oxford Principles for Responsible Engagement with Article 6 establish a framework for host countries, buyer countries, and private entities to ensure that carbon trading under the Paris Agreement supports global climate goals. The guidance focuses on three core principles: aligning the use of mitigation outcomes with the Paris Agreement, ensuring the climate and social integrity of those outcomes, and maintaining robust accounting and transparency. Key recommendations include requiring buyer countries to take robust domestic action before using credits, cancelling at least 2% of internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs), and directing at least 5% of proceeds toward adaptation.

• The Oxford Principles are designed to restore the original intent of Article 6 by establishing stronger standards than the minimum requirements of the Rulebook, specifically arguing that buyer countries must prioritize domestic mitigation efforts before utilizing Article 6 credits to prevent the deterrence of climate action.
• Principle One requires that engagement with Article 6 raises climate ambition. This includes the requirement that host countries and buying entities be on track for science-aligned net-zero targets before using Article 6, and that at least 2% of internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs) be cancelled while at least 5% of proceeds are allocated to adaptation.
• Principle Two emphasizes climate integrity and social safeguards. It mandates the use of strong additionality thresholds, conservative quantification, and the prevention of double use and claiming. Socially, it requires ongoing consultation with Indigenous Peoples and local communities to avoid harm to biodiversity, water, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.
• Principle Three focuses on accounting and transparency. It calls for robust national GHG inventories and full NDC coverage for countries using Article 6.2. Furthermore, it requires all actors to provide public information on the generation and use of ITMOs and carbon credits, including serial numbers and authorization status.

APA

NewClimate Institute (2025). Oxford Principles for Responsible Engagement with Article 6. http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/oxford-principles-for-responsible-engagement-with-article-6

Chicago

NewClimate Institute. Oxford Principles for Responsible Engagement with Article 6. 2025. http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/oxford-principles-for-responsible-engagement-with-article-6.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=NewClimate Institute |title=Oxford Principles for Responsible Engagement with Article 6 |date=12 June 2025 |url=http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/oxford-principles-for-responsible-engagement-with-article-6 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{newclimateinstitute2025oxford, author = {{NewClimate Institute}}, title = {{Oxford Principles for Responsible Engagement with Article 6}}, institution = {NewClimate Institute}, year = {2025}, month = jun, url = {http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/oxford-principles-for-responsible-engagement-with-article-6}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }