Oxford principles for responsible engagement with Article 6

Report

Article 6 is the backbone of international carbon trading under the Paris Agreement. If utilised responsibly, Article 6 could be one of the greatest opportunities to drive additional climate mitigation and improve climate resilience. However, evidence so far shows that this potential is at risk, and the framework could instead enable the ‘greenwashing’ of climate commitments by countries and corporate entities alike.

The new ‘Oxford Principles for Responsible Engagement with Article 6’ – developed by a wide range of researchers and practitioners from Oxford and beyond – provide essential guidance and guardrails to enable this international framework to be used in a responsible manner.

The current international rules established under Articles 6.2 and 6.4 create a floor rather than a ceiling of integrity, leaving considerable discretion to the user as to how to act responsibly. The goal of the 'Oxford Principles for Article 6' is to foster international carbon markets that drive genuine climate action and provide incentives to enhance ambition as opposed to serving as a smokescreen for inaction.

The document expands on three core Principles and specific criteria that must be implemented to achieve these principles.

Principle One: Ensure that the Use of Mitigation Outcomes is Aligned with the Paris Agreement

Principle Two: Ensure Mitigation Outcomes have Climate Integrity and Uphold Social and Environmental Safeguards

Principle Three: Ensure Robust Accounting and Transparent Engagement with Article

The Oxford Principles for Article 6 build on the San José Principles to promote high ambition and integrity in international carbon markets. They do not displace existing rules and guidance on Articles 6.2 and 6.4, but instead bolster these as necessary.

Authors: Johnstone, I; Schneider, L; Michaelowa, A; de Grandpré, J; Kuci, S

• Publication status: Published
• Publisher: Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford
• Pages: 1-15
• Place of publication: Oxford, United Kingdom
• Publication date: 2025-06-12
• DOI: 10.5287/ora-zb2kdqd1v
• Commissioning body: Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment
• Language: English