Econ Market Research
Market Research Report

Carbon Offset/Carbon Credit Market

Carbon Offset/Carbon Credit Market Research Report: By Type (Voluntary Market, Compliance Market), By Project Type (Avoidance/Reduction Projects, Removal/Sequestration Projects (Nature-based, technology-based)), By End-User (Industrial, Power, Energy, Transportation, Buildings, and Others), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World) Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Regional Analysis, Competitor Analysis and Forecast Period 2026-2035

Last Updated:
Feb 19, 2026
Base year:
2025
Historical Data:
2022 - 2024
Region:
Global
Pages:
217
Report Format:
PDF + Excel
Report ID:
EMR00161

Market Overview

The Global Carbon Offset/Carbon Credit Market reached a valuation of US$ 2.6 Billion in 2026 and is anticipated to grow to US$ 17.8 Billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 21% during the forecast timeline 20262035.

Market Size in Billion USD

Carbon offsets work on the principle of decreasing the corresponding amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to balance out the emissions produced by human activities that add to climate change. When people, businesses, or organizations use industrial processes to discharge greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, they increase the concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, leading to global warming and climate change Carbon offsets work on the principle of reducing an equivalent amount of CO2 or other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere to balance out the emissions.

Carbon Offset/Carbon Credit Market Dynamics

Enhancing the accuracy and accountability of the market, improvements in technology, and data analytics allowed for improved monitoring and reporting of the performance of carbon offset projects. Numerous significant corporations have committed to sustainability and established aggressive emission reduction goals. Since it was difficult for many businesses to completely reduce emissions from their operations, carbon offsets gave them a way to become carbon neutral and reach their goals more quickly. In order to achieve net-zero emissions or carbon neutrality, numerous businesses have set high objectives. They can more quickly reach these objectives by using carbon offsets, that enable them to balance out the remaining emissions.

Carbon Offset/Carbon Credit Market Drivers

Rising Sustainability Demand

Businesses and governments all demanded more sustainable practices as they became more conscious of climate change and its effects. Through, many companies and groups attempted to prove their commitment to environmental responsibility by using carbon credits. Some industries, like aviation, shipping, and heavy manufacturing, struggle to totally eliminate their emissions. Carbon offsets offer a way of wiping out these unavoidable emissions.

Net-Zero and Carbon Neutrality Goals

Companies, governments, and individuals aiming to achieve net-zero or carbon neutrality seek to offset their remaining emissions by investing in carbon offset projects. This surge in demand for offsets directly contributes to the growth of the carbon offset market. To achieve net-zero or carbon neutrality, entities purchase carbon credits generated from verified and certified carbon offset projects. These credits represent emissions reductions or removals, and their purchase supports projects that directly contribute to climate mitigation.

Restraints:

Transferring carbon emissions from one place to another

Leakage is the term for emissions that are caused by a project's activities to move from one location to another, potentially offsetting some of the targeted reductions. Double counting happens when the same emission reduction is reported by many parties at once, which overstates the amount of actual emissions reductions.

The high cost in the carbon offset and carbon credit market refers to the financial challenges and considerations that can hinder the extensive adoption of carbon offset projects and the purchasing of carbon credits. While these initiatives are crucial for mitigating climate change. Project implementation costs, verification and certification Expenses, technology and innovation investment are the several factors that hamper on market growth.

Opportunities:

Supportive Government Policies

supportive government regulations and incentives for carbon offset projects can spur investment and innovation in the field. Carbon taxes or cap-and-trade programs provide financial inducements for organizations to fund carbon offset initiatives. These regulations may increase the demand for carbon credits. Public-private partnerships are another key facet of this opportunity. Governments, private enterprises, and non-governmental organizations team up to jointly fund and execute large-scale carbon offset initiatives. This partnership model leverages diverse strengths, financial resources, and networks to realize ambitious projects. By capitalizing on collaborative partnerships and ecosystems, this opportunity harnesses collective wisdom, resources, and networks to drive significant progress toward a more sustainable future.

Innovation and Technological Advancements

The carbon offset and carbon credit market presents a transformative path toward more effective and efficient emission reduction strategies. Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) stands as a pioneering approach with immense potential. CCU technologies capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and convert them into valuable products, such as synthetic fuels, chemicals, or construction materials. This not only helps curb emissions but also transforms them into economic assets. Similarly, data analytics and artificial intelligence can optimize carbon offset project outcomes by processing vast datasets to identify emissions hotspots, predict project effectiveness, and inform decision-making. Overall, embracing these technological opportunities promises to accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable and carbon-neutral future.

Segment Overview

By Type

Based on type, the global carbon offset/carbon credit market is divided into the voluntary market and compliance market. The voluntary market-based category dominates the global carbon offset/carbon credit market with the largest revenue share. The voluntary market operates on a global basis, enabling organizations and people from different regions to take part in and support carbon offset initiatives everywhere. This worldwide reach makes it easier to collaborate internationally and fund sustainable projects around the world. A wide variety of carbon offset projects are available on the voluntary market, giving purchasers the freedom to choose ones that are consistent with their goals and values.

By Project Type

Based on the project type, the global carbon offset/carbon credit market is categorized into avoidance/reduction projects and removal/sequestration Projects. Where the removal/sequestration Projects also divide into Nature-based and technology-based projects. The avoidance/reduction projects focus on avoiding greenhouse gas emissions to prevent them from being released into the atmosphere. The primary objective of the avoidance/reduction projects is to moderate emissions at the source and also minimize their impact on the climate. And the removal/sequestration projects focus on removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or sequestering it in long-term storage.

By End-User

Based on end-user, the global carbon offset/carbon credit market is separated into industrial, power, energy, transportation, buildings, and others. The power segment leads the global carbon offset/carbon credit market with the largest revenue share. The power sector has great potential to reduce emissions and contribute significantly to the global effort to fight climate change.

Carbon Offset/Carbon Credit Market Overview by Region

The global carbon offset/carbon credit market is categorized into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Asia Pacific emerged as the leading region, capturing a major of the market share followed by Europe.

Due to their huge populations, industrial activity, and reliance on fossil fuels for energy production, some countries in the Asia-Pacific area are significant contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. To promote carbon offsetting and emissions reduction projects, the Asia-Pacific area has implemented legislation and programs. As a result of these policies, the market for carbon offsets is growing favorably.

Carbon Offset/Carbon Credit Market Competitive Landscape

In the global carbon offset/carbon credit market, a few major players exert significant market dominance and have established a strong regional presence. These leading companies remain committed to continuous research and development endeavors and actively engage in strategic growth initiatives, including product development, launches, joint ventures, and partnerships. By pursuing these strategies, these companies aim to strengthen their market position, expand their customer base, and capture a substantial share of the market.

Key Players

  • 3Degrees

  • Finite Carbon

  • South Pole Group

  • EKI Energy Services Ltd.

  • Native Energy

  • CarbonBetter

  • Carbon Care Asia Limited

  • Terrapass

  • Bluesource LLC

  • NatureOffice GmbH

  • Verra (VCS Program)

  • Gold Standard Foundation

  • ClimatePartner GmbH

  • First Climate Markets AG

Carbon Offset/Carbon Credit Market Recent Developments

  • In August 2022, Johnson Controls (JCI) and 3Degrees will combine their expertise to tackle building decarbonization through energy supply services and energy efficiency delivered by a digital platform. The partnership will deliver carbon reduction services through market-sourced renewable energy supply services and energy efficiency programs that can be supplied as a standalone offering or from Johnson Controls&rsquo, OpenBlue Net Zero Buildings platform

  • In August 2022, Johnson Controls collaborates with 3Degrees to accelerate the Race to Net Zero, a firm that helps organizations around the world achieve renewable energy and decarbonization goals. The new collaboration aims to accelerate building owners', and operators', progress toward net zero by leveraging 3Degrees', large-scale environmental commodity solutions, including Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) transactions, long-term renewable energy procurement, carbon credit portfolio management, transportation decarbonization and climate advisory services.

Carbon Offset/Carbon Credit Market Report Scope & Segmentation

AttributesDetails
Market Size Value In
US$ 2.56 Billion in 2026
Market Size Value By
US$ 17.76 Billion By 2035
Growth Rate
CAGR of 21% from 2026 to 2035
Forecast Period
2026 - 2035
Base Year
2025
Historical Data Available
Yes
Regional Scope
Global
Segments Covered

By Type

  • Voluntary Market

  • Compliance Market

By Project Type

  • Avoidance/Reduction Projects

  • Removal/Sequestration Projects

By Application

  • Aviation

  • Energy

  • Power

  • Transportation

  • Industrial

  • Buildings

  • Others

Report coverage includes all mentioned segments
8 key metrics analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this report

The study period covers historical insights and forecast projections for the period 2026-2035.

Have more questions? Contact our sales team