Carbon asset developer and climate consultancy South Pole has launched its carbon markets buyer guide. The guide supports the navigation of carbon market shifts and net zero in 2026.
“South Pole’s guide highlights that, alongside deep decarbonisation, securing a long-term supply of high-quality carbon credits is the definitive strategy for companies seeking to meet net zero targets while building resilience against rising carbon costs,” South Pole said in a statement.
“2026 will mark a shift in carbon markets, as integrity becomes the norm and the market matures,” said South Pole executive director, certificates Marco Magini. "Investors and boards now expect companies to demonstrate transparent risk management and climate resilience.
“Within this, high-integrity carbon credits play an important role in complementing credible net zero and transition plans by managing a company's residual emissions. Hedging against price shocks for high-integrity credits, especially for removal credits where demand is rapidly outstripping supply, will be the definitive strategy for 2026.”
The guide highlighted four themes that will shape carbon credit buying decisions in 2026 and beyond. These include integrity, demand, policy, and price.
For integrity, South Pole noted that buyers should demand stricter due diligence and greater standardisation of credit quality as integrity and digitalisation becomes the norm.
With demand, buying strategies are informed by net-zero targets. These are reinforced by legal enforcement of green claims and growing compliance obligations.
As for policy, South Pole said: “The progression of national carbon pricing schemes and the decline of ‘carbon neutral’ claims will coincide with new frameworks like the EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework and CBAM’s first financial phase.”
South Pole said that price divergence and carbon credits as a strategic asset class will increase prices for high-quality credits. As a result, the guide said this makes forward purchase agreements “essential”.