VOLUNTARY CARBON MARKETS: AN INT

** By the end of 2006 the world carbon market will top $30 billion in transactions and the first carbon billionaire may well have emerged

** HSBC, Volvo, Avis, Ricoh, and American Express are but a few of the thousands of companies now offsetting their CO2 emissions and becoming "carbon neutral", fuelling a massive international voluntary carbon market that is growing exponentially

** This is the only business guide to this "next big thing", with complete coverage of what voluntary carbon markets are, where they are, how they work and how to capitalize--as a buyer or a seller--on a market that has the potential to mirror oil and gas in scale and to slow climate change

This groundbreaking business book, written in a fast-paced journalistic style, draws together all of the key information on international voluntary carbon markets with commentary from leading practitioners and business people. While maturing quickly, the voluntary market is complex, fragmented, and multi-layered, but it is beginning to consolidate around a few guiding practices and business models from which conclusions can be drawn about market direction and opportunities.

The book covers all aspects of voluntary carbon markets in the US, Europe, Australia, Canada, and Asia: what they are, how they work and, most critically, their business potential to help slow climate change. It is the indispensable guide for anyone seeking to understand voluntary carbon markets and capitalize on the opportunities they present for economic and environmental benefit. If you want to be ahead of the curve for the next big thing, you need this book.

Related
The Business Guide to Sustainability (2006) 1-84407320-3
The Natural Advantage of Nations (2006) 1-84407-340-8
Capitalism as if the World Matters (2005) 1-84407-192-8

Amanda Hawn is Manager of Advisory Services at New Forests.

Ricardo Bayon is a co-founder of EKO Asset Management Partners.

Katherine Hamilton is the Associate Director of Ecosystem Marketplace.