ADB-ADBI Carbon Markets Webinar Series

Carbon markets are increasingly being recognized as a pivotal mechanism to mobilize finance to drive innovative solutions to increase resilience and economic growth for emerging economies and developing countries. Public sector finance alone is insufficient to close the massive finance gap, making private sector capital essential. If properly functioning, these markets can play an important role in incentivizing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions cost-effectively, as well as provide other benefits such as improved air and water quality, increased energy access, enhanced agricultural practices, nature restoration and job creation and community development. 

In December 2024, ADB’s Office of the General Counsel, through its Law & Policy Reform Program (LPR Program), held an in-person workshop in Singapore on high-integrity carbon markets. The workshop (ADB Workshop on Policy Architecture for High Integrity Carbon Markets under the Paris Agreement), which brought together policymakers from ADB developing member countries (DMCs), market standards experts, project developers, and other key stakeholders, allowed attendees to share insights on and explore strategies for implementing carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and within the voluntary carbon market (VCM) framework, with a view to helping policymakers leverage available opportunities to cultivate strategies and the necessary policy, legal and regulatory frameworks required to operationalize carbon markets domestically and internationally.

Following the success of the workshop, the ADB LPR Program, in collaboration with the ADB Institute, developed this 3-part webinar series (all via Zoom) for participants interested in a deep dive on specific topics and emerging issues within the carbon markets framework: 

Concluded:

• The first workshop, entitled “Interplay between Article 6 and Voluntary Carbon Markets”, was held on 28-29 May 2025 and was designed to equip policymakers and other public sector stakeholders with the knowledge and practical tools needed to understand the purpose and context of existing carbon markets, with a view to enabling the effective consideration of carbon market strategies vis-à-vis domestic requirements. You may view the agenda and session recording for this workshop in the “Agenda” and “Session Materials” tabs of this page, respectively.
• The second workshop, entitled “Strengthening Legal Frameworks for Equitable and Sustainable Carbon Credit Implementation” was held on 3 July 2025 (Thursday), and designed to provide policymakers and other public sector stakeholders with the knowledge and practical tools needed to develop or strengthen national legal frameworks that ensure carbon market activities uphold social and environmental safeguards, respect indigenous and community rights through free, prior and informed consent, and deliver fair and transparent benefit sharing.

Upcoming:

• The third and final workshop, entitled “Legal and Regulatory Frameworks with Examples from Select Countries and Dispute Resolution”, is tentatively scheduled to be held in early August 2025, and designed to equip policymakers and other public sector stakeholders with an understanding of the unique risks and opportunities in carbon markets and to initiate the development of well-functioning domestic markets that attract financing opportunities.
• Following the conclusion of the 3-part webinar series, a final Q&A session is tentatively scheduled to be held in September 2025, to allow participants and stakeholders to engage with moderators and speakers on takeaways, insights, or other clarifications.