An article recently published by Carbon Pulse shared that HSBC announced it will only finance carbon projects aligned with the ICVCM’s Core Carbon Principles. It’s a clear signal that integrity is starting to shape decisions by major financial institutions. But is the...

Following a recent Carbon Pulse article on the latest report from the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM), John O’Brien of CMS has shared his perspective on why greater coordination across standards matters for trust and investment in carbon...

By Liz Kivi The Government has released plans to regulate carbon capture and storage in natural geological formations, which include Emissions Trading Scheme incentives, with the aim of introducing related legislation in 2026. It has been hailed as a positive first...

John OBrien of CMS says “The last thing we need is the NZ Government saying we are a leader”

By Liz Kivi Carbon certifier Toitū Envirocare has walked back plans to stop accepting Emissions Trading Scheme credits for offsetting, because there is still a shortage of local carbon credits meeting international standards. In 2023, the government- backed carbon...

by John O’Brien The Ministry for the Environment estimates that the total market size is only about NZ$20 million a year as of 2025. Voluntary carbon market growth in New Zealand has been very slow over many years. A lack of up-to-date government guidance and existing...

By Liz Kivi Participants have applauded the government's pilot programme for New Zealand's voluntary biodiversity market, but an expert says the emerging market needs better regulation to avoid reputational risk and fraud. Last week the government announced it was...

Approval conditions require both cookstove and household biodigester projects to use the most robust tools and methods available for estimating fuel consumption and monitoring usage. The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market today announced that the...