Carbon Credit Futures

Which carbon credits can be traded as futures contracts? See our overview of publicly tradable carbon credit futures. Share 👇🏽
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Table of Contents

Compliance Markets Future Contracts

European Allowance (EUA) Futures

Underlying of the future are EU Emission Allowances (EUA), which permit the emission of one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent as per EU directive. The EUA futures are the most liquid and widely traded carbon credit futures market. The contracts are traded at all the big commodity future exchanges including The ICE, the EEX, the NYMEX of the CME Group and the Nasdaq via Nasdaq OMX Commodities Europe.

California Carbon Allowance (CCA) Futures

Underlying of the future are allowance issued by the California Air Resources Board or a linked program, allowing for emission of one metric ton of CO2 equivalent under the “California Cap and Trade Program”. The CCA futures are a very widely traded and liquid carbon credit futures market in the USA. The contracts are traded at the ICE, the NYMEX of the CME Group and on CBL / Xpansiv.

Voluntary Markets Future Contracts

CBL NGO Nature-Based (N-GEO) Futures

The underlying for the CBL Nature-Based (N-GEO) Global Emissions Offset Future is a range of standardised voluntary emissions offsets in the Verra registry meeting defined criteria according to the CBL Standard Instruments Program. The contract is traded on the NYMEX of the CME Group and on CBL / Xpansiv.

CBL Core-Global Emissions Offset (C-GEO) Futures

The underlying for the CBL Global Emissions Offset Standard (GEO) Future is a range of standardised voluntary emissions offsets in the Verra registry meeting defined criteria according to the CBL Standard Instruments Program. The contract is traded on the NYMEX of the CME Group and on CBL / Xpansiv. The offsets allowed are from projects across energy, renewables, and other technology-based offsets, which is why the contract is also known as ‘Tech-Based’ Emission future.

CBL Global Emissions Offset Standard (GEO) Futures

The underlying for the CBL Core-Global Emission Offset (GEO) is a range of voluntary emissions offsets meeting best-in-class criteria from the Verra Registry, the Climate Action Reserve and the American Carbon Registry. The contract is traded on the NYMEX of the CME Group and on CBL / Xpansiv. The contract is also known as ‘Global Aviation’ offset because the criteria have been set by the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for offsetting emissions of aviation.

While this article has been created with diligence and care, we can not guarantee that all information is up-to-date, correct and exhaustive. Do you have additional information you believe we should include?  Please use the contact form to submit your information (including sources). We rely on notifications by our readers to keep articles up to date. 

Disclosures: Our publications provide information and education on the carbon and environmental markets. While some of the posts can reference investment products for information purposes, our authors are not investment advisers. Please be aware of our disclaimer.

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