Voluntary Carbon Market Expansion Through VCM And GCC Partnership In Saudi Arabia

The Regional Voluntary Carbon Market Company has entered a new partnership with the Global Carbon Council. Under this arrangement, Global Carbon Council carbon credits are now traded on the company’s exchange in Saudi Arabia. More than 600,000 tons moved in the first month of listing.

The early trading activity signals strong interest from regional buyers in independently verified carbon credits. It also highlights the exchange’s role in price discovery and liquidity. The platform offers transparent access to voluntary carbon markets for institutions and other participants across Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries.

The Regional Voluntary Carbon Market Company is a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund and Saudi Tadawul Group. The company focuses on building institutional-grade trading systems. These systems aim to support Saudi Arabia’s plans for regulated, credible voluntary carbon markets.

Key features of the new arrangement and Global Carbon Council accreditations are shown below.

The Global Carbon Council runs a greenhouse gas and sustainable development programme based in the Global South. The programme is the first from the region to gain full International Civil Aviation Organization accreditation under CORSIA. It also holds accreditation from the International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance.

These accreditations position the Global Carbon Council programme as a main route for climate finance into emerging markets. Its carbon credits are viewed as high integrity units. They are designed to meet international standards and support credible emission reduction efforts.

Governments and companies can use Global Carbon Council credits to support climate targets. They can contribute to Nationally Determined Contributions and allow trading of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes. Making these credits available on the Saudi platform broadens access to recognised carbon units across the region.

The collaboration between the Regional Voluntary Carbon Market Company and the Global Carbon Council links Saudi buyers with a global supply of verified carbon credits. It supports regional climate strategies, encourages transparent pricing, and connects local demand with international standards for voluntary carbon markets.

With inputs from SPA