The carbon credit market in Italy

The concept of carbon credits has emerged as a key tool in the fight against climate change, allowing companies and governments to offset their greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon credits represent a measured amount of reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. One credit is generally equivalent to one ton of CO2 emitted or reduced. These credits can be bought and sold, providing an economic incentive to reduce emissions.

The carbon credit market is mainly divided into two categories: regulated markets, such as the EU ETS, and voluntary markets. In the EU ETS, the purchase of credits is a means of complying with regulations and managing emission limits, without a direct link to specific offset projects; in the voluntary market, the purchase of credits is an ethical or strategic choice that directly supports offset projects, actively contributing to the reduction or avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions:

EU ETS (European Union Emissions Trading Scheme)

Generation and purchasing mechanism: In the EU ETS, carbon credits are generated through a "cap and trade" system. The "cap" sets an upper limit on total emissions allowed for participating sectors. Companies receive or purchase emission permits, often through auctions or government allocations. These permits represent the right to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases. If a company emits less than its limit, it can sell excess permits in the market.

Offsetting: credits purchased under the EU ETS are not directly linked to specific offset projects. Instead, the system aims to reduce overall emissions through the limit ("cap") set on total emissions. Purchasing permits in this context allows companies to comply with regulation without necessarily financing specific emission reduction projects.

Voluntary Carbon Credit Market

Generation and purchasing mechanism: in the voluntary market, carbon credits are generated by projects that reduce, avoid or capture greenhouse gas emissions. These projects can range from reforestation to methane capture in landfills. The credits generated are then verified by third parties Buyers can purchase credits directly from projects or through brokers or trading platforms.

Offsetting: in this case, the purchase of credits is directly linked to offsetting emissions. Each credit represents a specific amount of GHG emissions that have been reduced or avoided as a result of the project. Buyers use these credits to neutralize their own emissions, thereby helping to finance activities that have a positive impact on the climate.

In 2023 the global market for carbon credits is estimated at 103.$80 billion. Sustained growth is expected in the near future, estimated at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.8 percent for the period 2024-2032. By 2032, the global carbon credit market could reach a total value of 359.$48 billion.As for the segment related to the voluntary carbon credit market (VCM), the estimated economic value in 2022 is equal to 1.49 billion dollars. Again, sustained market growth is expected. A compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.0%, under which the voluntary carbon credit market could eventually reach a total value of 5.34 billion dollars.