Carbon Markets Explained
A simple explanation of voluntary carbon markets and pricing.
Carbon Markets Explained is designed to help learners build a clear, practical understanding of the topic—without drowning in jargon. We start by grounding the “why” and the “what”: the key definitions, the mental models you’ll keep using, and the context that makes the rest of climate learning click.
You’ll explore the big ideas that matter most: voluntary vs compliance markets, credits, registries, buyers, intermediaries, pricing drivers and quality. Instead of treating these as abstract concepts, the course connects them to everyday decisions and real-world examples so you can recognize them in news, workplace conversations, and the choices you make at home.
We also go deeper into: future trends and integrity initiatives. Along the way, you’ll practice translating complexity into simple explanations, so you can communicate confidently and spot common misconceptions before they trip you up.
By the end, you’ll be able to explain how carbon markets function and what drives pricing, quality, and credibility in different segments, and you’ll have a few concrete next steps to keep momentum going.
Course Lessons
Voluntary vs Compliance Carbon Markets
This lesson, “Voluntary vs Compliance Carbon Markets,” is a focused module within the course “Carbon Markets Explained.” You’ll start by grounding the topic with two market types and who participates and why companies buy credits voluntarily, so the core idea is clear before moving on. Next, the lesson connects the concept to practical context by exploring how compliance programs differ (high level) and implications for pricing and rules, using plain-language explanations and a supportive visual. You’ll also work through a real-world example that helps you apply the idea to everyday decisions or common climate conversations. By the end, you should be able to summarize the lesson’s main point in your own words and answer a short quiz that checks true understanding—not memorization.
How Carbon Credits Are Priced
This lesson, “How Carbon Credits Are Priced,” is a focused module within the course “Carbon Markets Explained.” You’ll start by grounding the topic with what influences price (type, quality, demand, risk) and why prices vary widely, so the core idea is clear before moving on. Next, the lesson connects the concept to practical context by exploring spot vs forward purchases (conceptual) and why cheap doesn’t always mean bad (and vice versa), using plain-language explanations and a supportive visual. You’ll also work through a real-world example that helps you apply the idea to everyday decisions or common climate conversations. By the end, you should be able to summarize the lesson’s main point in your own words and answer a short quiz that checks true understanding—not memorization.
Registries, Retirement, and Double Counting
This lesson, “Registries, Retirement, and Double Counting,” is a focused module within the course “Carbon Markets Explained.” You’ll start by grounding the topic with why registries exist and retirement process and proof, so the core idea is clear before moving on. Next, the lesson connects the concept to practical context by exploring double counting: what it is and why it matters and chain-of-custody concept, using plain-language explanations and a supportive visual. You’ll also work through a real-world example that helps you apply the idea to everyday decisions or common climate conversations. By the end, you should be able to summarize the lesson’s main point in your own words and answer a short quiz that checks true understanding—not memorization.
Common Critiques and How Markets Respond
This lesson, “Common Critiques and How Markets Respond,” is a focused module within the course “Carbon Markets Explained.” You’ll start by grounding the topic with key critiques (additionality, permanence, claims) and how standards tighten rules over time, so the core idea is clear before moving on. Next, the lesson connects the concept to practical context by exploring role of transparency and third-party review and why continuous improvement is normal, using plain-language explanations and a supportive visual. You’ll also work through a real-world example that helps you apply the idea to everyday decisions or common climate conversations. By the end, you should be able to summarize the lesson’s main point in your own words and answer a short quiz that checks true understanding—not memorization.
Where Carbon Markets Are Heading
This lesson, “Where Carbon Markets Are Heading,” is a focused module within the course “Carbon Markets Explained.” You’ll start by grounding the topic with trends: better mrv, digital tracking, quality tiers and increased scrutiny and disclosure, so the core idea is clear before moving on. Next, the lesson connects the concept to practical context by exploring growth of removals (conceptual) and how buyers can future-proof choices, using plain-language explanations and a supportive visual. You’ll also work through a real-world example that helps you apply the idea to everyday decisions or common climate conversations. By the end, you should be able to summarize the lesson’s main point in your own words and answer a short quiz that checks true understanding—not memorization.