Bridging the Gap: How Carbon Credit Buyers Can Drive Industrial Decarbonization

Industrial decarbonization has evolved from a future ambition to a present-day opportunity.

It’s advancing innovation and new efficiencies in heavy industries, influencing capital allocation and procurement, and redefining corporate risk. It’s also a reputational imperative, as stakeholders now expect measurable progress today, not just fulfillment of distant pledges in 2040 or 2050.

The question facing sustainability leaders today is how to create impact  immediately, with more certainty, and at scale.

In our recent webinar, experts from different sectors explored a central theme: Carbon credit buyers have a pivotal role to play in accelerating industrial decarbonization this decade. Their message was clear. High-integrity carbon markets are maturing, and corporate buyers can help shape how they work and the results they deliver.

You can watch the full 40-minute panel discussion here. 

1. Carbon markets are maturing and integrating 

Over the past two years, the voluntary carbon market has faced intense scrutiny. Questions around additionality, durability and credibility forced buyers to pause and reassess.

According to Brian Hong of RBC Capital Markets, that reset has strengthened the market.

A carbon credit trailblazer in Canada, RBC has been active in carbon markets since 2008 and began purchasing voluntary credits for its own climate commitments in 2017. What has changed most, Brian explained, is buyer sophistication.

Today, buyers are:

• Contracting directly with project developers
• Supporting engineered climate solutions such as carbon mineralization and direct air capture
• Building portfolios that balance nature-based and technology-based credits

At the same time, major frameworks, including draft guidance from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), are increasingly recognizing that carbon credits can help offset ongoing emissions. That acknowledgment provides clearer guidance and renewed legitimacy.

The result is a market shifting from volume-first to quality-first, and preparing for scale.

2. Compliance and voluntary markets are converging

One of the most important trends discussed was the integration between voluntary and compliance markets.

A prime example is the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), the aviation compliance mechanism under ICAO. While airlines must meet compliance obligations, most CORSIA credits originate from projects from voluntary registries that meet CORSIA's eligibility criteria.

Similar integration is emerging across other markets in Canada, the EU, Japan and Brazil.

Brian described this integration of voluntary credits into compliance markets as “the golden goose,” or the trigger that could unlock significant growth in demand for high-integrity credits.

If voluntary projects become compliance-grade supply, scale accelerates dramatically.

For corporate buyers, this convergence reinforces a critical point: Investing in high-quality voluntary credits today positions companies for a future where carbon markets are more embedded in regulatory systems.

3. Integrity is key to buyer trust

Seth Baruch of Carbonomics offered a behind-the-scenes look at the rigor behind credible carbon methodologies, citing the multi-year approval process for CarbonCure’s methodology under Verra.

Developing a first-of-its-kind methodology, like the one for carbon mineralization in concrete, involves:

• Concept notes
• Technical expert review
• Public comment periods
• Registry staff revisions
• Ongoing version updates as technologies evolve

“It’s almost like getting a patent,” Seth explained. That level of scrutiny is deliberate, and it is what builds long-term trust.

Other registries, oversight groups and standard-setting bodies, such as Puro or the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM), are all contributing to the standardization of the monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) of carbon credits. While the proliferation of registries can create complexity, Seth sees a clear direction of travel toward higher standards and stronger credibility, while also intersecting with global climate policy.

As implementation of the Paris Agreement’s Article 6.4 mechanism progresses following COP30 in Brazil, carbon markets are moving toward greater international alignment, albeit slowly. 

Article 6.4 introduces UN-supervised crediting, more robust accounting rules and safeguards against double-counting. Over time, this will further standardize integrity expectations across both voluntary and compliance markets. For buyers, this convergence matters. Projects that meet stringent voluntary standards today are increasingly well-positioned for a future in which international crediting mechanisms demand greater transparency and clearer accounting.

Market behavior reflects this shift. Even during periods of lower overall retirement volumes, pricing for high-quality credits has remained resilient with a clear “flight to quality.”

In today’s market, trust is not assumed. It is built through rigorous methodology design, independent verification, registry oversight, transparent monitoring and continuous alignment with evolving global standards.

4. Immediacy matters: The time value of carbon

A recurring theme across panelists was the importance of immediacy.

Dave Des Roches of VIH Execujet described why his company chose to purchase and retire credits directly rather than pass offset responsibility to customers. In aviation, particularly in geographies like Vancouver Island, where air travel is essential, waiting for sustainable aviation fuel infrastructure isn’t enough, he said.

Immediate impact matters.

Brian reinforced this with a fundamental truth: There is a time value of carbon. This framing posits that a metric ton of carbon reduced today is more valuable than a tonne reduced in 2050. That urgency influences portfolio construction. 

That doesn’t mean future-facing technologies should be ignored. Rather, buyers increasingly balance:

• Immediate carbon reductions from nature-based projects
• Immediate carbon reductions from tech-based projects
• Super-pollutant mitigation (e.g., methane)
• Long-term engineered carbon removals

Industrial decarbonization credits, particularly those addressing hard-to-abate sectors like cement and construction, sit squarely in the “impact today” category while contributing to durable, systemic change.

5. Industrial decarbonization fills a critical gap

Nature-based credits remain the largest segment of the voluntary market. While they may come with a lower price tag, they also come with a risk of reversal and potential scrutiny on buyers. Meanwhile, projects mitigating industrial emissions are much more likely to deliver lasting results. These emissions are the hardest to abate, and among the most material globally. 

Cement production alone accounts for roughly 7-8% of global CO₂ emissions. By injecting CO₂ into a concrete mix, it mineralizes into calcium carbonate, maintaining compressive strength and allowing cement content—and associated cement emissions—to be reduced. 

Industrial decarbonization projects provide compelling attributes for credit buyers seeking:

• High durability
• Low reversal risk
• Direct industrial impact
• Immediate retirement

And as engineered solutions scale, early buyers help reduce cost curves for future generations of projects.

6. Make the business case for high-integrity credits

One of the most practical questions raised during the webinar was how sustainability leaders can internally justify purchasing higher-integrity credits from industrial decarbonization or engineered climate projects.

Seth highlighted cost curves: Early buyers help drive down costs for emerging technologies. “The next generation will be 20% less,” he noted. Supporting innovation today accelerates affordability tomorrow.

Brian emphasized stakeholder alignment. Even if some executives are cautious, employees, investors and customers increasingly expect credible climate action. Purchasing the most trusted carbon credits signals seriousness and strengthens relationships.

Dave offered a blunt but effective framing: “Do you want to be part of the problem or part of the solution?” 

The business case extends beyond cost per metric ton. It includes:

1. Stakeholder alignment
Employees, investors and customers increasingly expect credible climate action. Purchases of high-integrity carbon credits signal seriousness.

2. Portfolio logic
Balance lower-cost nature-based credits with higher-integrity tech-based climate projects. Spread risk. Support innovation.

3. Cost trajectory storytelling
As Seth noted, early investment in engineered solutions accelerates learning curves. Prices drop over time. Today’s buyers catalyze tomorrow’s affordability.

4. Brand differentiation
Dave emphasized leadership positioning. In competitive sectors, visible climate action differentiates your brand.

5. Wholistic decarbonization strategy
Credits are not a substitute for carbon reductions. They are the final step after companies reduce their emissions. Framing purchases this way builds credibility.

Outlook for 2026 and beyond

Despite past volatility, panelists expressed cautious optimism.

Updated SBTi guidance, increasing compliance integration, and gradual progress under Article 6 mechanisms of the Paris Agreement all signal momentum. Pricing resilience for high-quality credits reinforces the market’s direction.

The voluntary carbon market is not standing still. It is becoming more rigorous, more structured and more closely aligned with global climate policy.

Industrial decarbonization will not be driven solely by technology. It requires collaboration between innovators, financial institutions and committed buyers willing to deploy capital with intention.

Markets respond to demand. Carbon credit buyers, particularly those supporting durable, engineered, industrial solutions, are directly influencing what scales this decade. Dive into CarbonCure’s carbon credit program.

If you want deeper insight into how leading organizations are approaching carbon markets, compliance integration and portfolio construction, we encourage you to watch the full discussion. Watch the full “Bridging the Gap” webinar.

Bridging the Gap: How Carbon Credit Buyers Can Drive Industrial Decarbonization Webinar

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