Energy Transition, Carbon, Emissions
April 04, 2025
Platts proposes to update VCM assessment standard, volume specifications
Platts, part of S&P Commodity Insights, is proposing to update several aspects of its Voluntary Carbon Market specifications, with effect from June 2, 2025.
Platts recognizes that the voluntary carbon markets have evolved, including greater recognition of new standards, as appropriate for different credit/project types; and changes in typical spot market volumes.
As such, Platts seeks feedback on its proposal to update the volume specifications of its existing voluntary carbon credit assessments.
Platts proposes to update its specifications as follows:
| Assessment | Symbol | Current volume specification | Proposed volume specification |
| Blue Carbon Current Year | AJLUB00 | 5,000 – 50,000 mt | 1,000 mt – 50,000 mt |
| Blue Carbon Yr01 | AKLUB00 | 5,000 – 50,000 mt | 1,000 mt – 50,000 mt |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Current Year | ANBAA00 | 20,000 – 100,000 mt | 5,000 – 50,000 mt |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Yr01 | ANBAB00 | 20,000 – 100,000 mt | 5,000 – 50,000 mt |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Vintage Current Year Spread | APNBF00 | 20,000 – 100,000 mt | 5,000 – 50,000 mt |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Vintage Current Year - 1 Spread | APNBE00 | 20,000 – 100,000 mt | 5,000 – 50,000 mt |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Vintage Current Year - 2 Spread | APNBD00 | 20,000 – 100,000 mt | 5,000 – 50,000 mt |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Vintage Current Year - 3 Spread | APNBC00 | 20,000 – 100,000 mt | 5,000 – 50,000 mt |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Vintage Current Year - 4 Spread | APNBB00 | 20,000 – 100,000 mt | 5,000 – 50,000 mt |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Vintage Current Year - 5 Spread | APNBA00 | 20,000 – 100,000 mt | 5,000 – 50,000 mt |
| Platts Renewable Energy Current Year | CNRED00 | 50,000 – 150,000 mt | 20,000 – 100,000 mt |
| Platts Renewable Energy Yr01 | CNRED10 | 50,000 – 150,000 mt | 20,000 – 100,000 mt |
| Platts Tech Carbon Capture Current Year | ATCCA00 | 5,000 – 50,000 mt | 500 mt – 30,000 mt |
| Platts Tech Carbon Capture Yr01 | ATCCB00 | 5,000 – 50,000 mt | 500 mt – 30,000 mt |
This proposal also includes the currency conversions for each assessment as well as all associated monthly averages.
Standards
At present, Platts Voluntary Carbon Credit assessments reflect projects certified by Gold Standard (GS), Climate Action Reserve (CAR), Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART), the American Carbon Registry, and Puro Earth. From June 2, Platts proposes to take a more tailored approach, with specific standards considered for some of its individual assessments, to better reflect the market.
Platts proposes to update its specifications as follows:
| Assessment | Symbol | Proposed standard specification |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Current Year | ANBAA00 | VCS, Biocarbon, Cercarbono |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Yr01 | ANBAB00 | VCS, Biocarbon, Cercarbono |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Vintage Current Year Spread | APNBF00 | VCS, Biocarbon, Cercarbono |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Vintage Current Year - 1 Spread | APNBE00 | VCS, Biocarbon, Cercarbono |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Vintage Current Year - 2 Spread | APNBD00 | VCS, Biocarbon, Cercarbono |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Vintage Current Year - 3 Spread | APNBC00 | VCS, Biocarbon, Cercarbono |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Vintage Current Year - 4 Spread | APNBB00 | VCS, Biocarbon, Cercarbono |
| Platts Nature-Based Avoidance Vintage Current Year - 5 Spread | APNBA00 | VCS, Biocarbon, Cercarbono |
| Platts Renewable Energy Current Year | CNRED00 | GS, VCS, GCC |
| Platts Renewable Energy Yr01 | CNRED10 | GS, VCS, GCC |
This proposal also includes the currency conversions for each assessment as well as all associated monthly averages.
In addition, Platts has proposed to rename some of its Voluntary Carbon Credit assessments, effective June 2, 2025. This ongoing proposal affects several of the assessments outlined above, details of which are available here(opens in a new tab).
The assessments appear in Carbon Markets Daily, and on the fixed pages CMA2001, ETA2001, CMA2002, ETA2002, CMA2003, ETA2003, CMA2004, ETA2004, CMA2005, ETA2005, CMA2006, ETA2006, CMA2007, ETA2007, CMA2008, ETA2008, CMA2009, ETA2009, CMA2011, and ETA2011.
Please send all comments, feedback, and questions to platts_carbon@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com by May 4, 2025.
For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.