In the compliance market, governments establish mandatory emission limits for companies and sectors. Among the main instruments adopted globally are carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems, in which organizations that emit below their limits can trade surplus allowances with those that exceed their quotas. Additionally, the Paris Agreement, through Article 6.2, provides for the international trading of mitigation outcomes — the so-called ITMOs — enabling countries to collaborate in achieving their climate targets.
The voluntary market, in turn, operates without legal obligation. Companies, institutions, and individuals acquire carbon credits on their own initiative, with the objective of offsetting emissions and strengthening their sustainability strategies and ESG criteria. These credits are generated by projects that avoid, reduce, or remove greenhouse gas emissions, following internationally recognized methodologies and standards.
Currently, a growing convergence between these two segments can be observed. In the Brazilian context, regulatory developments are expected to allow credits originating from the voluntary market to become eligible for compliance obligations in the regulated market, expanding system integration and efficiency.
Although they have distinct natures — regulatory compliance and voluntary action — both markets are complementary and play a strategic role in addressing climate change, contributing to scale, efficiency, and cost reduction in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
At the RCGI–USP Carbon Registry, we work to ensure transparency, traceability, and integrity in transactions, strengthening the trust required for the proper functioning of these markets.
