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The document critiques 'net zero' targets as a façade for continued pollution, highlighting the risks of relying on unproven carbon removal technologies and the injustice of shifting sequestration burdens to the global South. It calls for 'Real Zero' emissions, emphasizing the need for developed nations to take greater responsibility and implement systemic changes in energy, agriculture, and transport.

The report critiques 'net zero' targets as a form of 'greenwashing' that allows polluters to continue emitting greenhouse gases by relying on unproven technologies and carbon offsets. It argues that these targets often shift the burden of carbon sequestration to the Global South, constituting 'carbon colonialism'. The authors advocate for 'real zero' emissions, which require drastic reductions in fossil fuel use, the adoption of agroecology, and a transition to 100% renewable energy, particularly by developed nations in the North.

The document reports a significant increase in net-zero commitments from 823 cities, 101 regions, and 1,541 companies. While these actors represent a vast population and economic footprint, the paper notes that the ambition and impact of these targets vary based on the emission scopes covered and the reliance on carbon offsets.

The document outlines principles for financial institutions (FIs) to align with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement, specifically referencing the IPCC SR1.5 pathway 1. It demands the immediate cessation of financing for new fossil fuel exploration and infrastructure, a rapid phase-out of coal financing by 2030 in OECD countries and 2040 globally, and the prohibition of financing for projects causing deforestation or ecosystem degradation. FIs are urged to disclose their full carbon footprint, set science-based targets to reach zero impact by 2050, and avoid reliance on offsets or untested negative emissions technologies.

The document analyzes the proliferation of 'climate neutrality' and 'net zero' targets among governments and corporations, noting that while some contribute positively to climate goals, others lack transparency and may obscure a lack of ambition. It emphasizes the need for clear information on coverage, target years, and the role of offsets to prevent the misrepresentation of climate action.

The document proposes a framework for 'transition labels' to distinguish genuine low-carbon transition activities from 'greenwashing'. It establishes five core principles for transition pathways: alignment with a 1.5°C trajectory (net-zero by 2050, near-half emissions by 2030), science-based targets, exclusion of carbon offsets, prioritization of technical feasibility over economic competitiveness, and a requirement for concrete metrics over vague commitments. The framework categorizes economic activities into five types: near-zero emission, zero-carbon transition, non-transitionable, temporary transitional, and stranded. It further distinguishes between entity-level transitions (supported by equity, general bonds, and sustainability-linked loans/bonds) and activity-level transitions (supported by asset-backed securities and use-of-proceeds bonds).

The report outlines strategies for organizations to manage business air travel emissions, emphasizing the need for direct reductions over carbon offsets. It discusses the use of absolute and intensity targets, the importance of senior management leadership, and the role of decision-support tools in encouraging sustainable travel choices.

The document analyzes strategies for scaling Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) to meet IPCC 1.5°C goals. It recommends supporting biological CDR through domestic regulation rather than carbon markets due to non-permanence risks, and suggests targeted R&D and pilot support for technological CDR (BECCS, DACCS, enhanced weathering, and mineral carbonation). Crucially, it argues that separate targets for emissions and removals are superior to combined net-zero targets to prevent the diversion of attention from essential emission reductions and to prepare for a future net-negative CO2 phase.

The aviation sector has successfully lobbied the ICAO Council to change the CORSIA baseline to 2019 levels, effectively postponing the start of emission offsetting until at least 2024 due to the 2020 drop in flights. The author contends that this change is unnecessary given the low cost of offsets and that governments are failing by providing billions in bailouts—approximately 30 billion euros in the EU and 50 billion in the US—without binding environmental strings. The text calls for regional and national actions, such as kerosene taxes and the EU carbon market, to replace the failing global scheme.

The document distinguishes between cap-and-trade systems and offsetting mechanisms, arguing that the latter are often a zero-sum game incompatible with net-zero goals. It critiques the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) for lack of additionality and local safeguards, and warns that Article 6 of the Paris Agreement risks repeating these failures through 'hot air' trading and double counting. The guide also assesses the limitations of the CORSIA aviation scheme and the voluntary carbon market, ultimately advocating for a shift from offsetting toward direct climate finance for the zero-carbon transition.

The document distinguishes between cap-and-trade systems (ETS) and offsetting mechanisms, arguing that the latter often fail to provide real climate benefits. It critiques the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) for lack of additionality and local safeguards, and warns that Article 6 of the Paris Agreement must avoid 'hot air' and double counting. It also examines the limitations of CORSIA for aviation and the integrity issues surrounding REDD+ and voluntary markets, ultimately advocating for a shift from offsetting toward direct climate action financing.

The document explains the fundamental differences between emissions trading systems and offsetting mechanisms, evaluates the failures of the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation, and details the challenges facing the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. It specifically addresses risks such as 'hot air' trading, double counting, and the lack of environmental integrity in forest-based offsets (REDD+), while also examining the CORSIA aviation offsetting scheme and the voluntary carbon market.

The document explains the difference between cap-and-trade systems and offsetting mechanisms, detailing the failures of the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and the risks associated with the Paris Agreement's Article 6. It highlights issues such as 'hot air' credits, double counting, and the lack of local safeguards. It also assesses the CORSIA aviation scheme and the voluntary carbon market, arguing that the global community must move beyond offsetting toward direct climate finance to achieve net-zero emissions.

Carbon Market Watch calls for the European Commission to revise non-financial reporting directives for companies with over 500 employees. The organization advocates for mandatory disclosures on climate risks, decarbonization pathways, state aid, 'Just transition' efforts, and lobbying expenditures. Additionally, it seeks greater transparency on the use of the EU emission trading scheme (EU ETS), including internal CO2 pricing and the use of carbon offsetting, to ensure investments align with the European Green Deal.

The report uses the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) tool to quantify the economic importance of the Saloum Delta's wetlands and mangroves. It compares a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario against interventions such as organic agriculture, mangrove reforestation, road construction, solar cookstoves, and oil extraction. The analysis highlights a significant trade-off: while oil extraction generates massive near-term revenues, it causes substantial losses in ecosystem services. Conversely, nature-based interventions like mangrove restoration and organic agriculture provide long-term economic gains through enhanced ecosystem performance and labour income. The report also proposes blended finance strategies, including carbon offsets and impact bonds, to fund conservation.

The report uses the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology to quantify the economic contribution of the Saloum Delta's wetlands and mangroves. It compares a 'business-as-usual' (BAU) scenario with interventions such as organic farming, mangrove reforestation, solar cookers, road construction, and oil extraction. The analysis highlights a tension between long-term natural capital gains and short-term industrial revenues, specifically noting that while oil extraction generates high direct income, it severely degrades ecosystem services. The document proposes blended finance mechanisms, including carbon offsets and impact bonds, to incentivize conservation.

The document establishes a framework for evaluating 'high-quality' carbon credits across six quality objectives: robust GHG impact determination, avoidance of double counting, addressing non-permanence, facilitating the transition to net zero, strong institutional arrangements, and positive environmental and social impacts. It details specific criteria for each, such as additionality, corresponding adjustments under the Paris Agreement, and the avoidance of carbon lock-in, to guide buyers in a complex market.

A group of carbon market stakeholders argues against a proposal by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to change the CORSIA baseline to 2019-only levels. The authors contend that such a change would eliminate offsetting requirements for several years, undermining the scheme's integrity and discouraging the long-term investments necessary to address the climate crisis.

The paper evaluates the current Emission Unit Eligibility Criteria (EUCs) for CORSIA, focusing on additionality, baselines, permanence, avoidance of double counting, and causing no net harm. While finding the current criteria mostly sufficient in conceptual coverage, the authors recommend detailed elaborations on program requirements and procedures to align with best practices. Key recommendations include excluding non-additional project types, requiring vetted methodologies for baselines, establishing 100-year permanence thresholds with buffer reserves, expanding the scope of double claiming, and implementing strict social and environmental safeguards.

WWF International provides a framework for corporate forest and climate goal-setting, advocating for a mitigation hierarchy that prioritizes avoiding and reducing footprints before pursuing compensation. The guide argues that protecting existing forests is significantly more effective for climate mitigation than tree planting, noting that preventing the loss of one hectare of mature forest avoids approximately 100 tons of carbon, whereas tropical reforestation sequesters only about 3 tons per hectare annually. It further recommends that companies align carbon credit purchases with specific quality criteria and national commitments (NDCs) and pursue transformational change through improved land tenure and multi-stakeholder initiatives.