Voluntary carbon and nature markets integrity consultation

Views sought on the implementation of the UK government’s principles for voluntary carbon and nature market integrity.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on the United Kingdom government’s six Principles for Voluntary Carbon and Nature Market Integrity.

The six Principles are

• Use credits in addition to ambitious actions within value chain.
• Use high integrity credits.
• Measure and disclose the planned use of credits as part of sustainability reporting.
• Plan ahead.
• Make accurate green claims using appropriate terminology.
• Co-operate with others to support the growth of high integrity markets.

The consultation seeks to clarify and test the proposed policy and governance framework for helping to ensure the integrity of Voluntary Carbon and Nature Market credits and the use of credits. It provides a response to calls from business, finance, farming, and environmental stakeholders for clarity on the Government’s approach. It also responds to recommendations from the Climate Change Committee and others for a new regulatory approach for these markets.

The consultation elaborates on the six Principles, invites views on their potential implementation, and on several specific topics where the Government could help these markets realise more of their potential.

Find out more about the consultation and how to respond.

First published 12 May 2025