Scoping corruption in voluntary carbon markets
Think tank: RUSI
Author(s): Dan Marks; Jennifer Scotland
July 8, 2025
This report from UK think tank RUSI provides an initial scoping review of VCM features that expose them to corruption risk.
The Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs), designed to channel finance towards environmental preservation and help countries meet net-zero targets through the trading of carbon offsets, are facing significant challenges due to widespread allegations of weak oversight, fraud, and corruption.
While public perception suggests high prevalence of corruption, systematic analysis and empirical evidence remain scarce.
Our new report addresses this knowledge gap by providing an initial scoping review of VCM features that expose them to corruption risk.
