A curated reading room with dated primary sources, practical interpretation and clear limits. Research reviewed 13 November 2026.
01 / POLICY
A growing policy footprint, with clear limits.
The World Bank’s May 2026 snapshot puts direct carbon pricing coverage at just over 29% of global greenhouse gas emissions, across 87 implemented policies. Public revenues exceeded US$107 billion in 2025. These figures describe policy coverage and public revenue. They do not describe voluntary-credit turnover or a universal carbon-credit price.
Planning implication
Keep tax and allowance exposure separate from voluntary project procurement. Country, sector and instrument determine the relevant requirements.
World Carbon Center interpretation is educational and distinct from the publisher’s findings.
02 / ACCOUNTING
An emissions inventory stands on its own.
GHG Protocol provides a framework for corporate inventories. Its guidance requires scope emissions to be reported independently of offset transactions, with offsets reported separately. Boundaries, data quality and reporting methods still require careful documentation.
Planning implication
The planner projects gross emissions and models a separate contribution budget. It never subtracts purchased credits from the inventory.
World Carbon Center interpretation is educational and distinct from the publisher’s findings.
03 / CREDIT QUALITY
Ask for evidence behind every unit.
The ICVCM Core Carbon Principles frame key integrity questions. A buyer should investigate additionality, quantification, independent verification, tracking, safeguards and potential reversals. A programme’s eligibility alone does not establish the status of every credit it issues.
Planning implication
Request the project ID, registry, methodology, vintage, verification records, retirement details and evidence relevant to your intended claim.
World Carbon Center interpretation is educational and distinct from the publisher’s findings.
04 / INFRASTRUCTURE
A project pipeline is not operating capacity.
The IEA CCUS Projects Explorer includes commissioned and planned projects. Its coverage uses minimum announced-capacity thresholds: above 100,000 tonnes per year for most facilities and 1,000 tonnes per year for direct air capture. The announced and operating categories need separate interpretation.
Planning implication
Confirm commissioning status, capture performance and storage arrangements before describing an announced project as delivered capacity.
World Carbon Center interpretation is educational and distinct from the publisher’s findings.
05 / TECHNOLOGY
Captured carbon needs an end destination.
The IEA explains that atmospheric capture with permanent storage can support carbon removal. Some uses of captured CO₂ release it again. A capture headline alone therefore cannot establish a durable negative-emissions outcome.
Planning implication
Ask where the carbon originated, how long it remains stored and what lifecycle emissions accompany the process.