Oxford Principles for Responsible Engagement with Article 6

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 Article 6’ – developed by a wide range of academics from Oxford and beyond – provide essential guidance and guardrails to enable this international framework to be used in a responsible manner. The goal of the Principles 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.