Client briefing: UK Government's proposed Principles for Voluntary Carbon & Nature Markets Integrity

Many international governments, including the UK, have recognised the importance of leveraging market-based measures to support a transition towards net zero and other climate reduction objectives, and these include the use of carbon and nature markets ("VCNMs") by corporates and other organisations to support their climate and nature strategies.

However, for VCNMs to succeed, it is crucial that such markets have a high degree of integrity, are appropriately regulated and are transparent.

To support this, the UK Government launched a set of six Principles for VCNM Integrity (the "Principles") in November 2024 at COP 29, which aim to establish a framework to set out good practice; build trust and confidence in the use of credits; provide clarity for stakeholders; promote transparency and support coherence across the markets.

The Government has now launched a consultation on the Principles open until 10 July 2025.

You can read more about this in our briefing here, where we will cover:

• Background to Voluntary Carbon and Nature Markets, and the issues these face;
• Analysis of the Principles;
• Discussion of other cross-cutting enablers which the Government is also seeking views on as part of the consultation.

Download our briefing