akar.earthICVCM: Definition
What is the ICVCM? The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market, which sets the Core Carbon Principles and grants the CCP label to credits.
The ICVCM (Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market) is an independent governance body that sets a global benchmark for high-integrity carbon credits, the Core Carbon Principles, and assesses carbon-crediting programs and methodologies against it. Credits that pass both assessments can carry the CCP label.
Why it matters
The voluntary carbon market grew with many standards and methodologies of varying quality. After criticism of overcrediting, especially in REDD+, buyers wanted a common threshold. The ICVCM provides it on the supply side. Its decisions shape which credits buyers favour, how rating agencies frame quality and which methodologies developers choose.
How it works
- Publishes the Core Carbon Principles and an Assessment Framework with detailed criteria.
- Assesses programs such as Verra, Gold Standard and ART for governance, making them CCP-Eligible.
- Assesses methodology categories for emissions impact and sustainable development, making them CCP-Approved, sometimes with conditions.
- Allows programs to tag qualifying credits with the CCP label.
The research for this site found 13 eligible programs and 45 approved methodologies in the ICVCM status tables at the time of review. Check the ICVCM website for current decisions.
Indonesia and Southeast Asia angle
ICVCM decisions directly affect the value of Indonesian supply, which is dominated by REDD+. Developers planning new ARR, mangrove or peat projects should pick methodologies with CCP approval, or a clear path to it. Indonesia’s domestic system under Perpres 110/2025 and IDXCarbon runs separately, so projects may need to meet national rules and ICVCM-aligned standards at the same time.
The ICVCM is governed by an independent board, with input from expert panels and public consultation on its decisions. Its approvals can be revisited, so developers and buyers should check decisions when they plan new projects or purchases, not rely on older lists.
Common mistakes
- Calling the ICVCM a registry or standard.
- Assuming all methodologies from an eligible program are approved.
- Ignoring that approvals can come with conditions or exclude older versions.
Read about the Core Carbon Principles and browse the standards hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ICVCM a carbon standard?
No. It does not certify projects or issue credits. It sets a benchmark and assesses standards and methodologies against it.
How is the ICVCM different from VCMI?
The ICVCM focuses on the supply side: what makes a credit high quality. VCMI focuses on the demand side: how companies can credibly claim the use of credits.