This update provides a summary of key developments across global compliance and voluntary carbon markets, and emerging environmental markets. It draws on select data, commentary and insights available in full in the Carbon Intelligence Package.
Highlights from the August edition
Regional carbon markets:
- Australian carbon market: ACCU spot prices firmed through August, closing at AU$38.95 as compliance buying strengthened and discussions continued around the Safeguard Mechanism Review.
- New Zealand carbon market: NZU prices fell NZ$3.75 through August to close at NZ$52.10, as uncertainty continued despite confirmation of future ETS settings.
- Singapore market: Singapore expanded its prospective Article 6 supply base through an agreement with Lao PDR, although the agreement is unlikely to affect near-term supply while approval and implementation steps remain outstanding.
- Japan market: Japan progressed the proposed design of allowance trading under its GX-ETS, with the market due to open in late 2027.
Voluntary carbon market:
- Voluntary carbon market activity remained subdued, with quality continuing to drive pricing and buyer interest increasingly concentrated in credits with recognised quality markers.
CORSIA market:
- CORSIA supply continued to expand through August, while spot prices remained largely stable.
Article 6 market:
- Colombia became the first country to submit its second Biennial Transparency Report, supporting the accounting processes needed to finalise credit accounting for Article 6 and CORSIA markets.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel credits
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel credit retirement activity eased from June's peak, although August retirements still represented more than 46,000 tCO₂e of emissions abatement.
