The Newest Commodity In Big Business - Carbon Credits

It is common place these days for carbon credits to be bought and sold like any other goods and services regularly traded for on the international market. Carbon Credits have seen a huge growth this year, with permits to emit greenhouse gases doubling in 2007 to be worth to more than 20 billion euros (RM93bil). The dramatic jump in price has highlighted the role big business can play in fighting climate change, while still turning a profit.
The rate for carbon credits in the international market hovers (in March 2007) around 11 to 12 Euros per ton.
Reforestation is an example of how carbon credits can be generated to sell on an international market. The total "carbon credit potential" of forests in New Zealand can add up to $13,000 to $20,000 per hectare over the life of the forest through the trees removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Projects that permanently reduce existing carbon emissions is another way a company can produce carbon credits for resale. The Indian company, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited, has announced it will register 11 energy saving projects to reduce gas flaring with the United Nations by the end of 2007. Projects to reduce wasted heat in industrial plants or upgrading turbines and equipment for more efficient energy production are all projects that qualify for carbon credits.
The prerequisites a carbon credit business are:
1) Your country must have signed the Kyoto Protocol (the United States has still not signed it as of March 2007). These credits are made possible by the Kyoto's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). That's why sometimes this new line of trading is also referred to simply as "CDM" business.
2) You have to register your "carbon saving" project with the United Nations before you can sell your credits to other international purchasers.
Selling the "right to pollute" can buy time for companies in developed countries that have not yet reduced their carbon emissions. The price of carbon credits will rise as companies and individuals buy carbon credits and raise the market value. The raising price will give an incentives for western companies to buy less credits and become more efficient. The money generated from this system will help developing countries improve their efficiency where they meet the standards to be eligible to sign the Kyoto Protocol.
Carbon credits are becoming a lucrative growth market, and giving incentives to businesses and politicians to join the carbon market. Western companies from countries that have signed the Kyoto Protocol who have not reduced their carbon emissions will continue to buy these credits from countries that have an excess.