The global effort to combat climate change depends on international cooperation, and at its heart lies the Paris Agreement. This landmark accord sets the ambitious goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, a target that requires greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2025 and fall by approximately 43% by 2030. Within this framework, Article 6 of the Paris Agreement provides a vital pathway for countries and companies to collaborate on emissions reductions through market mechanisms.

The Promise of Article 6

Article 6 offers a flexible framework that enables countries to voluntarily cooperate in achieving their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), their individual climate action plans. It facilitates the transfer of carbon credits between countries, allowing for more cost-effective global emissions reductions. This mechanism is designed to promote sustainable development while safeguarding environmental integrity.

As of 2025, significant progress has been made in operationalising Article 6. Buyers now have the green light to build portfolios of Article 6–compliant credits. These include credits eligible for international aviation’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which are now provided by six major carbon standards. Moreover, the new rules are helping countries issue the necessary Letters of Authorisation to meet growing demand, simplifying the process for international carbon transactions.

Strengthening Integrity with New Standards

To ensure the credibility and environmental integrity of international carbon credits, the United Nations has adopted new standards for the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism. These include:

• A Baseline Standard: Projects must accurately estimate the emissions that would have occurred without their intervention, with mandatory downward adjustments to prevent over-crediting and encourage continual improvement.
• A Leakage Standard: This accounts for any unintended emission increases that might occur elsewhere as a result of the project, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of its overall impact.

These developments establish a clear and robust pathway for companies to utilise internationally recognised carbon credits in meeting their climate targets, fostering greater trust and effectiveness within the global carbon market.

How Article 6 Benefits Your Business

For businesses committed to ambitious climate action, Article 6 presents a compelling opportunity:

• Access to Diverse Carbon Credits: It opens up a broader pool of high-quality, internationally recognised carbon credits, potentially offering more cost-effective options for offsetting emissions.
• Enhanced Credibility: Using credits from a UN-backed, standardised mechanism can significantly strengthen the credibility of your climate claims and demonstrate genuine commitment to global climate goals.
• Support for Global Decarbonisation: By participating in Article 6 mechanisms, your investments directly contribute to emissions reductions in other countries, fostering international cooperation and accelerating the global transition to a low-carbon economy.

AFS Energy: Your Partner in International Carbon Markets

AFS Energy is ideally positioned to guide your organisation through the complexities and opportunities presented by Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Our expertise in environmental commodity markets and voluntary carbon solutions aligns directly with the demands of this evolving international framework.

We can support your business by:

• Sourcing High-Quality Credits: Our voluntary compliance services meticulously source high-quality carbon credits from verified projects worldwide, ensuring that any Article 6–compliant credits you acquire meet rigorous integrity standards.
• Optimising Offset Strategies: We help you integrate Article 6–compliant credits into your wider sustainability strategy, optimising your carbon offset approach to achieve both environmental and business objectives.
• Navigating International Goals: We stay informed on market trends and manage the logistics of international carbon transactions, ensuring your initiatives align with global sustainability targets.

As the world moves towards a more interconnected and accountable carbon market, leveraging mechanisms such as Article 6 will be essential for businesses striving to achieve their climate targets with confidence and impact. Partner with AFS Energy to unlock the full potential of international carbon cooperation on your journey towards decarbonisation.