Indonesia is making one of the biggest moves at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The government aims to reach about US$1 billion (Rp 16 trillion) in carbon credit deals during the summit. The plan includes around 90 million tonnes of carbon credits from forestry, energy, and industry projects.

This goal is part of a wider plan to grow Indonesia’s carbon trading system. It follows new rules under Presidential Regulation No. 110 of 2025 on carbon economic value. It also comes after the country allowed international carbon trading again, following a four-year pause. These steps show that Indonesia wants to become a major player in climate finance and green investment in Asia.

At COP30, other countries are also stepping up their climate plans and carbon market initiatives. Nations like Brazil, Iraq, Singapore, Kenya, and the United Kingdom unveiled new projects, partnerships, and rules to boost verified carbon trading and ensure benefits reach local communities.

Building Stronger Rules and Partnerships

Indonesia used COP30 to prove it can build a fair and trusted carbon market system. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry introduced four new rules to improve how projects are managed and approved. The changes aim to make sure that money from carbon sales reaches local people, including indigenous groups.

To raise global trust, Indonesia signed new partnerships with leading organizations. It formed a Mutual Recognition Agreement with Verra, one of the world’s biggest carbon credit certifiers. This deal allows up to 50 million tonnes of CO₂ credits to enter global markets.

Indonesia also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM). This will help the country follow global standards for transparency and quality.

Indonesia is presenting 40 carbon projects at COP30. These include forest recovery work, renewable energy plants, and waste reduction programs. Together, they could generate more than 90 million credits once fully certified.

Officials see this as part of a long-term plan. The Forestry Ministry estimates that Indonesia’s carbon credit potential could reach 13.4 billion tonnes of CO₂ by 2050. That could bring yearly income of $2.8 billion to $8.6 billion, depending on carbon prices.

• SEE MORE: Indonesia Aims to Sell 13.4 Billion Tonnes of Carbon Credits to Global Buyers

Economic gains and environmental wins

Government estimates show that Indonesia can cut emissions by 31.8% on its own and by 43.2% with global support. Carbon trading could help meet these goals by linking domestic projects with international buyers.

Indonesia’s projects range from mangrove restoration to geothermal power and the low-carbon industry. This diversity makes the country one of Asia’s most promising suppliers of carbon credits. However, success will depend on good governance, fair profit-sharing, and public trust.

If Indonesia reaches its US$1 billion target, it would be one of the largest carbon trade achievements for a developing nation. It could also inspire other countries in Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines, to follow similar paths.

Global Carbon Moves at COP30: What Other Countries Are Doing

Indonesia is not alone in expanding carbon markets. At COP30, several other countries also announced new plans to link climate action with trade and investment.

Brazil, the host nation, launched an Open Coalition on Compliance Carbon Markets. The group now includes 11 countries, such as China, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and members of the European Union.

The coalition wants to connect national markets and create shared standards for tracking and reporting emissions. It also aims to stop “double-counting” of credits and make global trading more transparent.

Brazil is working on its own national cap-and-trade system that will cover energy, transport, and industry. Officials say the plan will help the country use its vast forests to generate high-quality credits. They also promise that indigenous and local communities will share in the profits from these projects.

In the Middle East, Iraq announced its first national carbon market during COP30. This is a big shift for a country still dependent on oil and gas. Iraq plans to use carbon market funds to support renewable energy, modernize infrastructure, and cut emissions from heavy industry. It hopes to attract international investors to help build new low-carbon projects.

• Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, Kenya, and Singapore launched a joint campaign to grow corporate demand for trustworthy carbon credits. Their goal is to set clear rules for how companies buy carbon offsets and ensure that every credit represents a real emissions cut.

Singapore is already one of Asia’s key carbon market hubs. It runs the Climate Impact X exchange and has signed several carbon trade deals under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The country acts as a bridge between credit producers in Southeast Asia and buyers in major financial markets.

Kenya is focusing on fairness and inclusion. It wants to make sure that African countries and local communities get a fair share of income from carbon projects. The country is building its own carbon credit export system based on lessons from other African nations.

Together, these efforts show that countries are now moving from promises to action. Each one is shaping its carbon market plan based on its strengths—Brazil’s forests, Singapore’s financial networks, Iraq’s energy sector, and Indonesia’s vast natural resources.

A Growing Global Network, Despite Challenges

Even as interest grows, carbon markets face challenges. Some projects have been criticized for exaggerating their climate impact or failing to help local communities. These issues have raised doubts about the real value of some credits.

“High-integrity” carbon credits were a major topic at COP30. Many delegates agreed that only verified, transparent credits would attract global investors. But developing nations also want flexible rules so smaller projects can join the market more easily. Finding a balance between strong oversight and easy access will be crucial.

The nations’ various moves reflect a shift toward teamwork. Countries and companies are learning that trading carbon credits can support both climate goals and economic growth.

The chart above shows the projected global carbon credit market size from 2025 to 2050. The range shows lower and upper bounds for 2030 and 2050 only, reaching up to $250 billion by 2050 (in 2024 prices).

Growth depends on demand: high demand with loose supply drives the market upward, while low demand with loose supply results in the lower bound. The range widens significantly by 2050, reflecting uncertainty in future policy, technology, and corporate demand.

Indonesia’s $1 billion carbon-trade goal at COP30 shows how fast the global carbon market landscape is changing. The country’s mix of policy reforms, new partnerships, and project pipelines demonstrates leadership among developing nations.

At the same time, efforts by Brazil, Iraq, Singapore, Kenya, and the United Kingdom reveal a broader global trend. Carbon markets are no longer experimental—they are becoming a major part of climate finance.

If these systems stay transparent and fair, COP30 could mark the start of a new phase for global carbon trading, one where countries and companies work together to cut emissions and invest in carbon markets.

• READ MORE: From Baku to Belém: Can COP30 Deliver the $1.3 Trillion Climate Finance Pledge?

The post Indonesia Aims to Sell $1B Carbon Credits at COP30, While Other Countries Step Up Their Carbon Plans appeared first on Carbon Credits.

Tencent, one of China’s largest technology firms, plans to form a carbon credit buyers’ alliance to help expand the supply of credits in the market. The company aims to launch this initiative by the end of 2025.

Carbon credits allow companies to offset greenhouse gas emissions by supporting projects that reduce or remove carbon. As firms face growing climate targets, the supply of high-quality carbon credits is becoming a key issue. Tencent’s initiative may help meet demand while improving market trust.

Tencent’s Scale and Market Muscle

Tencent is well placed to lead such an initiative. In 2024, the company reported revenue of RMB 660.3 billion (almost US$92 billion), up 8% year-on-year. Its gross profit rose by 19%.

With such scale and financial strength, Tencent has the capacity to invest in market mechanisms and alliances. Its size gives it market power. This can attract other corporations, project developers, and tech partners to join the alliance.

Tencent’s share price has shown a notable rise year‑to‑date, with a gain of around 50 % over the past 12 months. On a more recent weekly basis, the stock recorded a smaller uptick of approximately 2 % over the past five trading days. 

What Tencent Aims to Achieve

The news was revealed by Ella Wang, a senior program director at Tencent’s Climate Innovation Hub, in an interview at the United Nations’ COP30 climate summit in Brazil.

The alliance will bring together corporations, investors, and carbon project developers. Tencent’s main aim is to make more carbon credits available for companies that want to reduce their net emissions. Many businesses now have a hard time finding certified credits. They especially seek high-quality ones from verified projects.

Tencent also plans to introduce digital tools to track carbon credit projects. These tools will make it easier for buyers to verify that credits are genuine and that projects deliver real environmental benefits.

The company envisions a market where credits are easier to trade and pricing is more predictable. The alliance can standardize processes and verification methods. This will help prevent disputes and reduce market confusion.

Moreover, the use of credible carbon credits is part of Tencent’s strategy to reach its carbon neutrality goal.

How the Alliance Will Work

Tencent expects its carbon credit alliance to bring together firms from the technology, manufacturing, and consumer sectors across Asia. The aim is to boost supply from Global South countries and to create a collective demand signal.

The company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with GenZero. GenZero is a decarbonization investment platform owned by Temasek. Under this MoU, Tencent can offtake at least one million verified carbon credits over 15 years. This means at least one million tonnes of greenhouse gases will be avoided or removed.

• SEE MORE: Tencent Partners with Temasek-Backed GenZero to Boost Carbon Credits

Digital tools will play a key role. Monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) technologies, possibly leveraging blockchain or advanced data, will help ensure that credits are real, measurable, and traceable. That helps raise trust in credits and the market. The alliance will also likely help:

• Support project developers to fund, certify, and issue credits.
• Ensure credits meet common quality standards.
• Create easier market access for buyers and sellers, reducing transaction costs and risks.

The Carbon Credit Market: China and Global Context

China’s carbon market is already big and growing. In 2021, the government started a national carbon trading system. This system includes key industries like power generation, cement, and steel. It allows companies to trade emission allowances and provides financial incentives to reduce pollution.

China’s national emissions trading system (ETS) includes over 5 billion metric tons of CO₂. This accounts for more than 40 percent of the country’s emissions.

Experts say that the use of digital tools and alliances like Tencent’s could help scale the market faster. Improved tracking and verification can make carbon trading more credible. Companies that were previously cautious may feel more confident in participating.

A recent study shows that China’s market contributes more than half of the global total among trading markets. The global voluntary carbon credit market is set to grow fast.

One estimate puts its value at $2.1 billion in 2025. It could reach $19.8 billion by 2035. Another forecast says the global carbon market could reach up to $250 billion by 2050 under the most favorable conditions. 

Where Credits Fall Short and Prices Swing

The demand for verified, high-quality carbon credits currently appears to exceed supply in many markets. For example, when China reopened its voluntary carbon credit market in 2024, the price of the new China Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) credits briefly rose to 107.36 yuan (≈USD 14.82) per ton and then fell to 72.81 yuan (≈USD 10).

These swings reflect a mismatch of demand and supply, as well as price uncertainty. On the compliance side, China’s ETS currently covers over 2,200 power plants and industrial firms. Analysts say that as the market grows in steel, cement, and aluminum, it could cover about 8 billion metric tons. This is over 60% of China’s emissions.

Given this, companies that need credits to meet their emissions targets may face a tight supply of trusted credits. Tencent’s buyers’ alliance could close the gap. It would pool demand, aid verification, and boost supply.

Why Corporations Are Joining

Companies are under increasing pressure to meet net-zero or carbon reduction goals. High-integrity carbon credits give them a way to offset unavoidable emissions. By joining Tencent’s alliance, firms can:

• get access to a larger pool of credits,
• reduce the risk of buying low-quality or unverifiable credits,
• shape market standards together with peers, and
• benefit from the credibility boost of a coordinated group.

For smaller companies, the alliance can help them get credits at a lower cost. It can also allow for shared purchasing. In turn, stronger credit supply and verification can boost companies’ confidence in meeting climate goals. This may also help attract investors, regulators, and customers.

What This Means Beyond China

If the alliance succeeds, it may influence carbon credit markets beyond China. A reliable mechanism in China for verified credits can:

• attract international buyers seeking high-quality credits,
• set an example for digital verification and collaboration in Asia and other emerging markets,
• encourage more supply from Global South countries by signalling demand, and
• potentially increase cross-border trade in credits as integrity improves.

Given that the global voluntary credit market is expected to grow strongly, improvements in supply, standards, and transparency matter. This initiative may help bridge the gap between compliance systems and voluntary offset markets.

Tencent’s Bold Step Forward

Tencent’s plan to form a carbon credit buyers’ alliance comes at a time when corporate demand for verified credits is rising, and the supply side still faces challenges. With remarkable revenue and financial results, Tencent has the capacity to lead such an initiative.

By pooling demand, supporting verification, and using digital tools, the alliance may help improve supply and market trust. For corporations, this offers a path to more reliable offsets and could serve as a model for boosting high-integrity credits. 

How well the alliance deals with the challenges will shape its impact. But as an effort, this marks a meaningful step toward more organized, transparent, and scalable carbon credit markets in China and beyond.

• READ MORE: China Revives Its Carbon Credit Market: Price Swings & Future Outlook

The post Tencent to Form Carbon Credit Buyers’ Alliance: How Could it Transform China’s Carbon Market? appeared first on Carbon Credits.

Europe is locking in a new norm: If you make it or import it, you need credible carbon data for it. Two policies are driving this shift. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has moved from a 2023–2025 reporting-only phase to full operation from 2026, putting a price on the embedded emissions of key imports such as steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen. In parallel, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires thousands of companies to disclose standardised, assured sustainability information and use the ESRS framework. Together, they turn carbon transparency from avant-garde into a market requirement.