COP29 has become a pivotal moment for advancing global environmental cooperation, with significant progress under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. As nearly 200 nations gather to address the urgent environmental crises, partnerships and new frameworks are taking shape to harmonise efforts and accelerate meaningful action.
Landscape of lush newly planted forest in Benin, Africa. AI generated picture.
Singapore is at the forefront of these developments, leading a collaboration with Gold Standard and Verra to create the Article 6.2 Crediting Protocol. This innovative tool aims to simplify carbon credit transactions, enabling nations to meet their targets with greater efficiency. Expected to launch in 2025, the protocol will provide clear guidelines for tracking emissions reductions and promoting sustainable development. Margaret Kim, CEO of Gold Standard, underscored the importance of trust in carbon markets: ‘For Article 6 to be reliable and efficient, governments and standards need to work together. These initial recommendations outline how, by doing so, they can deliver impact for both the climate and sustainable development.’
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Meanwhile, Benin has made history by signing its first Article 6 agreement with Norway. This deal, focused on renewable energy and carbon credit generation, positions Benin as a leader in Africa’s emerging carbon market. Norway, a long-time supporter of Article 6 mechanisms, announced a $750 million funding boost during the conference, signalling its commitment to fostering partnerships that bridge developed and developing nations. Benin’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Romuald Wadagni, called the agreement a ‘historic moment’, highlighting its potential to drive investments and build resilience.
Further progress emerged with a new draft for Article 6.4, which outlines mechanisms for tracking and authorising emission reductions. The streamlined text, free of contentious brackets, signals consensus among negotiators and provides a clear pathway for operationalising carbon markets. This aligns with efforts to integrate independent carbon credit programmes into compliance systems, ensuring transparency and accountability.
As these milestones unfold, COP29 demonstrates the transformative power of collaboration in addressing the most important environmental issues. From Singapore’s protocol to Benin’s groundbreaking agreement, the conference highlights a shared vision for unified action. These efforts are not only setting the stage for practical solutions but also reinforcing the critical need for international solidarity to combat environmental crises.
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