World Bank Releases “State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2026” Report Highlighting Global Expansion of Carbon Markets

World Bank has released the “State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2026” report, highlighting the rapid global expansion of carbon pricing mechanisms and carbon credit markets amid growing climate commitments and energy-transition efforts. The report comes at a time when countries across the world are adopting stronger policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the shift toward cleaner sources of energy.

According to the report, many countries and regions have implemented carbon pricing systems such as carbon taxes and Emission Trading Systems (ETS). These mechanisms aim to assign a cost to greenhouse gas emissions and encourage industries to adopt low-carbon technologies. The World Bank noted that carbon pricing is becoming an increasingly important instrument in global climate policy.

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¨     The Report tracks global developments in carbon taxes, Emissions Trading Systems (ETSs), and carbon credit markets.

¨     It highlights the continued expansion of carbon pricing mechanisms across both developed and developing economies, with new ETSs being implemented in countries such as India, Japan, and Viet Nam.

¨     It also notes the growing integration of climate policy with global trade through mechanisms such as the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

¨     The report further underlines the increasing importance of high-integrity carbon credit markets, international aviation-related carbon mechanisms such as CORSIA, and the operationalisation of the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM).

Key Findings of the Report

Expansion of Global Carbon Pricing

¨     Direct carbon pricing mechanisms currently cover around 29% of global greenhouse gas emissions through 87 implemented policies worldwide.

¨     Coverage under Emissions Trading Systems (ETSs) has tripled since 2016, rising from 8% to over 24% of global emissions, while the share covered by carbon taxes has remained relatively stable at around 4-5%.

¨     If ETSs and carbon taxes currently under development are fully implemented, nearly one-third of global emissions could come under carbon pricing by 2030.

Rising Carbon Prices

¨     The average global carbon price has nearly doubled from US$ 10/tCO₂e in 2016 to around US$ 21/tCO₂e in 2026.

¨     While average carbon tax rates have remained relatively constant, scheduled increases in 2026 have taken effect in jurisdictions including Singapore, which increased its carbon tax rate by 80%. 

Growth in Carbon Pricing Revenues

¨     Annual revenues from ETSs and carbon taxes exceeded US$ 107 billion in 2025 (from under US$ 30 billion in 2016) and have remained above US$ 100 billion annually since 2021.

¨     Most carbon-pricing revenues continue to accrue in developed economies, although developing countries are increasingly adopting carbon-pricing instruments.

Trends in Carbon Credit Markets

¨     Global carbon credit issuances increased by 8% between 2024 and 2025, though they still remain 20% below 2022 levels.

¨     Credits eligible under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) traded at premium prices compared to most other carbon credits.

¨     Buyers increasingly prefer high-integrity credits with stronger third-party verification and environmental credibility.

Significance of Carbon Pricing

¨     Supporting Climate Mitigation: Carbon pricing creates economic incentives for reducing emissions and shifting toward cleaner technologies and renewable energy.

¨     Mobilising Climate Finance: Revenues from carbon taxes and ETSs can support energy transition, green infrastructure, climate adaptation, and low-carbon innovation.

¨     Encouraging Green Innovation: Stable carbon prices encourage industries to invest in cleaner production systems, carbon capture technologies, and energy-efficient processes.

India and Carbon Pricing

¨     India’s market-based approach to emission reduction initially evolved through the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme launched in 2012 under the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE), which introduced tradable Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts) for energy-intensive industries.

¨     India subsequently operationalised the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) mechanism to promote renewable energy generation and facilitate Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs) across states.

¨     Building upon the experience of PAT and REC, the government notified the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) in June 2023, under the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022, to establish a structured carbon market through the trading of Carbon Credit Certificates (CCCs).

¨     The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) functions as the administrator of the Indian Carbon Market framework, while the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) regulates the trading aspects of the carbon market.

¨     The Report has pointed out that India has emerged as one of the world’s largest new carbon markets with the launch of its CCTS, with only the ETSs of China, the European Union, and the Republic of Korea currently covering larger absolute volumes of GHG emissions than India’s newly implemented system.