A market-based mechanism designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under this scheme, a cap is set on the total amount of emissions that can be released by covered entities, such as industries or power plants. Emission allowances are issued, each representing the right to emit a specific amount of greenhouse gasses. By creating a market for emission allowances, the ETS incentivizes emission reductions while providing flexibility for businesses to find the most cost-effective ways to comply with emissions targets.

A policy mechanism that places a cost on carbon emissions to incentivize individuals and businesses to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

A characteristic of a Voluntary Carbon Markets Credit. The underlying projects could not exist without the funding from the carbon credit. In other words, the projects wouldn’t be viable in their own right, all other things equal (regulations, government funding, other policies…). If credits are awarded to activities that would have happened anyways, the process becomes meaningless.