Published: July 2025
Authors: Dan Marks, Jennifer Scotland – Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
This scoping paper explores the structural and operational vulnerabilities in voluntary carbon markets that make them susceptible to corruption. As VCMs grow in significance for meeting global net zero targets, concerns over weak oversight, fraud, and market manipulation have intensified. The paper examines how volatility, regulatory ambiguity, and weak due diligence create conditions ripe for abuse – particularly in high-risk environments. It highlights the lack of empirical evidence and aims to close this knowledge gap by identifying key areas for further investigation. This publication is the first in a three-part research series designed to inform practical solutions that strengthen market integrity and rebuild trust in carbon offsetting.
