AMÉRICA LATINA Y SUS MERCADOS DE CARBONO

The document explains the mechanics of carbon credits, distinguishing between regulated markets under the Paris Agreement and voluntary markets. It highlights that while Latin America and the Caribbean accounted for 22% of global carbon credit sales in 2021, the region lacks the robust regulation needed to prevent environmental and social risks. The guide warns against over-reliance on the forestry sector, the risk of 'greenwashing' in voluntary markets, and the potential for 'double counting' of emission reductions. It recommends establishing transparent national registries, ensuring fair benefit-sharing with local communities, and prioritizing structural decarbonization over simple offsetting.

• A carbon credit or bond is defined as a single unit representing one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) that has been either reduced or removed from the atmosphere.
• Carbon markets are divided into regulated markets, which operate under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to meet Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and voluntary markets, where entities offset emissions without government regulation, creating a risk of 'greenwashing'.
• In 2021, carbon credits sold from Latin America and the Caribbean represented 22% of global trade, with the majority associated with the forestry and land-use sectors.
• The current global price of carbon is considered too low to reflect the actual cost of atmospheric emissions; in 2021, the global average was 3.82 USD per tonne of CO2e, far below the 25 to 100 USD 'floor' prices suggested by experts based on national income levels.
• The document identifies several critical risks in the region, including 'double counting' (where two countries claim the same reduction), the use of outdated Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) credits under the Paris Agreement, and the danger of prioritizing offsets over actual structural decarbonization.
• Over-reliance on the forestry sector for carbon bonds can lead to biodiversity loss, water pollution, and the neglect of urgent decarbonization needs in the energy and transport sectors.
• Social risks include unfair treatment and territorial conflicts, particularly regarding the distribution of financial benefits and land rights for indigenous, peasant, and Afro-descendant communities.

APA

Transforma (n.d.). AMÉRICA LATINA Y SUS MERCADOS DE CARBONO. https://transforma.global/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Guia-Mercados-De-Carbono-Latinoamerica.pdf

Chicago

Transforma. AMÉRICA LATINA Y SUS MERCADOS DE CARBONO. n.d. https://transforma.global/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Guia-Mercados-De-Carbono-Latinoamerica.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Transforma |title=AMÉRICA LATINA Y SUS MERCADOS DE CARBONO |url=https://transforma.global/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Guia-Mercados-De-Carbono-Latinoamerica.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{transformandamrica, author = {{Transforma}}, title = {{AMÉRICA LATINA Y SUS MERCADOS DE CARBONO}}, institution = {Transforma}, url = {https://transforma.global/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Guia-Mercados-De-Carbono-Latinoamerica.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }