Voluntary Carbon Markets: An International Business Guide to What They Are and How They Work - Softcover

'This handbook is a useful and practical contribution to helping address the shortcomings of the voluntary markets.' Nature Reports Climate Change 'This book is a brief roller-coaster ride through the system...Overall, a very good introduction to what promises to be a growth area.' Ecological and Environmental Education '[O]ffers a comprehensive introduction to this fast-growing sector, explaining the principles behind the mechanism and the opportunities it presents...Can voluntary carbon trading really reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or is it just a salve for corporate consciences and an elaborate public relations exercise? The book does not offer a single answer, but puts forward an array of opinions from leading environmental and business experts.' Spore 'An essential guide for anyone hoping to learn more about voluntary carbon markets and how they can be of benefit both to our planet and to their organisation.' The Environmentalist 'A realistic snapshot of the divergent views of a wide variety of stakeholders involved in the exploding and controversial carbon offset market.' Organization and Environment 'Gives the first comprehensive overview of the market, outlining and explaining its key ideas and mechanisms...A succinct style, good structure and a wealth of up-to-date information make it an invaluable resource for project developers and investors in Africa and beyond.' Patrick Whyte, Africa Investor '[T]he most significant contributions of the book are the comments about voluntary carbon market made by different professionals, including economists, conservationists, project developers, policy makers, retailers, consultants, investors and banks...Readers interested in carbon markets operations will certainly enjoy the book and libraries will find this book a useful addition.' Social and Environmental Accounting Journal 'This book is an essential source of knowledge, information and ideas. Not only is it comprehensive, covering - for the first time anywhere - everything from renewable energy to the relationship between the voluntary carbon markets and the regulated carbon markets, but it is also thought provoking and visionary: taking a cold hard look at where the industry is likely to go.' Mark Kenber, Policy Director at The Climate Group. 'Politicians should have a copy close by' Crosslands Bulletin 'There is serious concern expressed by many about the whole idea of 'carbon offset'. For anyone considering buying some, either individually or as a company, this book can offer a great deal of food for thought. it is a subject which deserves serious exploration, and this sis given by the book.' Brian Leslie, Sustainable Economics Magazine 'For anyone condiering buying [carbon offsets], either individually or as a company, this book can offer a great deal of food for thought. It is a subject which deserves serious exploration, which is given by this book' Sustainable Economics 'This tightly written little book seeks to explain, in relatively simple terms, what carbon markets are and how they function... [it] tackles key issues and explanations in bite-size chunks which help with digestion and comprehension.' Eagle Bulletin 'A must-read guide... well worth the investment' Journal of Industrial Ecology 'Readers interested in carbon markets operations will certainly enjoy the book and libraries will find this book a useful addition.' TdeA, Social and Environmental Accounting Journal, April 2007. 'The content would benefit any business economist who has not yet begun to think seriously about how his or her business will fare in a carbon-constrained world.' David Grover, The Business Economist Vol.40 'A very useful book for postgraduate students...and an interesting book for business students'. Hing Kai Chan, International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, March 2010 'Overall, Bayon et al. provide a very valuable contribution which is a 'must read' for anyone considering getting involved in voluntary carbon offset transactions or in analysing carbon markets'. Axel Michaelowa, Climate Policy

The global carbon markets are growing at a staggering rate. The growth prospects for business are enormous and the potential positive impacts for greenhouse gas emission reductions, climate policy options, renewable energy investment, development projects and efficiency gains are increasingly apparent. A unique part of the market in greenhouse gas emissions is the rapidly growing voluntary carbon market driven by companies, organizations and individuals committed to efficiency, profitability and rapid action on climate change. The second edition of this groundbreaking book draws together all the key information on international voluntary carbon markets with commentary from leading practitioners and business people. It covers all aspects of voluntary carbon markets around the world: what they are, how they work and, most critically, their business potential to help slow climate change. This new, fully revised second edition provides key updates on relevant trends, standards, suppliers, and growth in the marketplace, and is the indispensable guide for anyone seeking to understand voluntary carbon markets and capitalize on the opportunities they present for economic and environmental benefit. Second edition updates: * Contains updated data on credit prices, transaction volumes, major industry players, and other quantitative data through 2008, as well as revised analysis reflecting these shifts * Includes explanations of additional offset project type categories, providing prospective buyers and project developers with a more detailed understanding of the suite of offset projects available * Contains revised explanations and analyses by market experts of the key issues affecting the voluntary markets * Provides an updated 'glance into the future' of the voluntary carbon markets, reflecting market and policy trends that emerged through early 2008.