By Abbas Nazil
Switzerland is leading efforts to expand participation in international carbon credit trading, using the COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil, to encourage governments and corporations to engage more fully in a UN-backed system that has seen limited use.
The country introduced the Article 6 Ambition Alliance, or AAA6, on Friday, an initiative aimed at directing buyers toward credits that supplement rather than replace existing national emissions targets.
This push comes at a time when developing countries are facing tighter budgets for traditional climate aid and are seeking new sources of financing to combat climate change impacts.
Credits under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement are generated by projects designed to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions.
These include efforts such as expanding clean transportation systems, protecting forests, and implementing energy-efficient technologies.
Although the concept has been promoted as a practical tool for climate finance, activity has remained limited due to concerns about verification, accounting rules, and maintaining environmental integrity.
Members of AAA6, including Germany, Sweden, Ghana, and Zambia, argue that using Article 6 credits to exceed climate pledges could strengthen long-term national climate plans by attracting investment and expanding technical capacity.
Switzerland has been one of the earliest adopters of the mechanism, relying on foreign offsets to meet roughly one-third of its goal to cut emissions in half from 1990 levels by 2030.
A new Swiss government strategy aims to reduce this reliance after 2031, signaling a shift toward domestic emission reductions.
For the global carbon credit system to expand, developing countries must be ready to supply credits, a process requiring national frameworks, regulatory oversight, and comprehensive reporting systems, many of which are still under development.
Veronika Elgart from Switzerland’s Federal Office for the Environment noted that many countries are preparing their Article 6 frameworks, and the AAA6 initiative could accelerate this work while fostering broader international cooperation.
To date, only two projects have delivered cross-border credits, both ultimately purchased by Switzerland, but interest in the system is increasing, particularly in Africa, where cuts to traditional aid are widening financing gaps for climate action.
Peter Dery of Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology emphasized that relying on external support does not preclude countries from taking independent action to address climate challenges.
The alliance underscores a growing recognition that expanding international carbon markets could provide critical funding, strengthen global climate commitments, and support sustainable development, particularly in regions with limited financial and technical resources.
Through initiatives like AAA6, Switzerland aims to demonstrate how Article 6 credits can complement national efforts, mobilize investments, and accelerate climate action worldwide while maintaining environmental integrity and accountability.
The push at COP30 signals a strategic effort to mainstream carbon credit trading, encourage transparency, and build technical capacity among both developed and developing nations to meet global climate goals.
