As an increasing number of companies commit to reducing emissions, and investors demand clear, credible transition plans, a well-functioning voluntary carbon market will be critical to reaching net zero and net negative goals. To meet this growing demand the current market will need to scale at least 15x, and potentially 160x. 

The Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets, launched by Mark Carney, UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance Advisor to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson for COP26, is chaired by Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive, Standard Chartered and sponsored by the Institute of International Finance (IIF) under the leadership of IIF President and CEO, Tim Adams. Annette Nazareth, a partner at Davis Polk and former Commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, will serve as Operating Lead for the Taskforce, and McKinsey & Company will provide knowledge and advisory support.

The Taskforce itself is comprised of more than 40 leaders from six continents with backgrounds across the carbon market value chain. Participants bring expertise from the financial sector, market infrastructure providers, and buyers and suppliers of carbon offsets. 

In the coming months, the Taskforce will take stock of existing voluntary carbon markets and efforts to grow these markets, identify key challenges and impediments, build consensus on how best to scale up voluntary carbon markets and finally, present a blueprint of actionable solutions.