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Letter on carbon: Has the EU ETS come of age?
The launch of the bloc’s emissions trading system in 2005 was a pioneering step, but as the scheme hits 21 its impact as a driver of decarbonisation is still open to debate
An end to EU green illusions
EU industry and politicians are pushing back against the bloc’s green agenda. Meanwhile, Brussels’ transatlantic trade deal with Washington could consolidate US energy dominance
Nigeria bids to unlock carbon market billions
Africa’s most populous nation puts cap-and-trade and voluntary markets at the centre of its emerging strategy to achieve net zero by 2060
Colombia sets the voluntary carbon standard
Andean country has become a leading destination for voluntary carbon credit investment, but challenges remain
Shipping GHG deal ‘a framework to build upon’
Agreement on a two-tier emissions trading scheme does not go far enough to meet IMO GHG reduction targets, say observers
Letter from Saudi Arabia: Oil and the materials transition
As the global economy grows, demand for materials is expected to increase. The way materials are made could incorporate new technologies in the future to ensure economic growth is more sustainable
Powering MENA’s digital future: AI datacentres and the case for SMRs
AI is powering the Middle East & North Africa’s digital transformation, but can the region meet soaring energy demand sustainably? Small modular reactors may hold the key
Shipping sector eyes carbon trading mechanism
Crucial talks at the IMO focus on a two-tier emissions trading scheme combined with a marine fuel standard
India’s carbon market challenge
Launch of credit trading scheme likely to slip into 2026 as government grapples with complex market design challenges
Southeast Asia unlocks its carbon trading potential
Governments working at pace to create compliance and voluntary markets and carbon tax regimes, with Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore among the frontrunners
Some markets are underperforming
Opinion
Decarbonisation Markets
Stuart Penson
5 March 2024
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Letter on carbon: Can carbon markets deliver?

Offset integrity issues and low prices are undermining markets’ potential to drive low-carbon investment

One of the overarching themes of International Energy Week (IE Week) conference in London was the importance of carbon markets to the transition. Compliance and voluntary markets are crucial for channelling capital into low-carbon technologies. The need for accurate and predicable carbon pricing has never been greater as companies need to externalise this cost to justify massive investments in CCS and other technologies. But as the transition moves into what is arguably its most critical phase, are carbon markets having the impact that they should be at this stage of the net-zero project? Many governments are certainly betting on them to drive abatement of CO₂. About 20% of the world’s emiss

Also in this section
Letter on carbon: Has the EU ETS come of age?
28 November 2025
The launch of the bloc’s emissions trading system in 2005 was a pioneering step, but as the scheme hits 21 its impact as a driver of decarbonisation is still open to debate
Can Oxy’s integrated CO₂ approach set a new benchmark for transition-era oil companies?
18 November 2025
Vicki Hollub, president and CEO of Occidental, has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Dewhurst Award, the highest honour bestowed by WPC Energy. The Dewhurst Award celebrates exceptional leadership, groundbreaking innovation and a lifetime of significant achievements in sup-port of the development and advancement of the energy industry.
Letter from London: Show me the carbon
11 November 2025
Transition policies must recognise that significant industrial demand for carbon will continue even as economies hit net zero
Letter from Europe: Western retreat raises doubts over climate leadership
Opinion
6 November 2025
After years of pursuing ideologically driven climate leadership, Western powers are now stepping back under mounting political pressure and rising populist opposition—prompting concern essential climate action could be sidelined

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