Platts to launch Voluntary Carbon Markets methodology consultation

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, is opening its Voluntary Carbon Credit methodology to consultation to welcome additional market feedback to best reflect this rapidly growing and evolving space.

Platts first began assessing the Voluntary Carbon Credit markets at the start of 2021, with the launch of its Platts CEC assessment, which reflects CORSIA-eligible voluntary carbon credits. It launched its Platts CNC assessment, reflecting nature-based credits, and Platts Household Devices Current year in June, before expanding its assessment range to encompass a wide-range of different project types.

Platts' complete Voluntary Carbon credit methodology is available here: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/PlattsContent/_assets/_files/en/our-methodology/methodology-specifications/method_carbon_credits.pdf

Market participation in the voluntary carbon markets has grown dramatically over the last year, and the market has evolved rapidly as a result of these new entrants and through the development of additional VCM trading instruments.

Platts is seeking specific feedback on the following elements:

• Annual Roll: Currently, Platts methodology rolls on the first working day of the new year, with all of its assessments reflecting new vintages. Ie, under current methodology, Platts Household Devices reflects vintages from the last four years, including current year, meaning 2019-2022. On Jan. 3, 2023, this will update to 2020-2023. Platts is considering moving the annual roll to the first working day of the second quarter, meaning that this roll would not happen until April 3, 2023.
• Vintage: Platts' methodology currently reflects a narrow vintage range for specific credit types. Platts is seeking feedback on these feedback ranges, and whether or not they should be narrowed or widened, depending on credit type.
• Volume: Platts currently reflects minimum volumes for its voluntary carbon credit assessments. It is soliciting feedback on an upper boundary for these volume ranges.
• Standards: Platts methodology currently reflects relevant methodologies from the following five standards: Verra (VCS), Gold Standard, Climate Action Reserve (CAR), American Carbon Registry (ACR), and Architecture for REDD+ (ART)
• Project Types: Platts methodology currently reflects all projects that meet specific broad definitions but does not list out individual project methodologies by standard or specific project types. Platts is soliciting feedback about whether or not the qualifying project types should be listed out specifically

Platts welcomes any additional feedback on its Voluntary Carbon Credit Methodology beyond the specific points listed above.

Please send all feedback, comments, and questions to Platts_Carbon@spglobal.com, and pricegroup@spglobal.com by Aug. 31, 2022.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.