Learning the Market, Reflecting on the Experience

This summer, I found myself at the intersection of policy, markets, and climate – an intersection that is constantly evolving. The voluntary carbon market (VCM) is in a time of rapid change, with new frameworks and scrutiny shaping how it operates. For me, this meant not only learning about the business use cases and value propositions of carbon credits, but also how policy and governance structures can make or break trust in the market. 

As a Business Development Fellow, I spent my summer working on projects that deepened my understanding of this evolving landscape. I explored policies and standards that are shaping the market, ranging from analyzing new frameworks that aim to bring integrity to the market to understanding how carbon projects are structured and verified. I also supported outreach efforts to better understand which sectors are most committed to contributing to climate change mitigation and reviewed methodologies that will guide the next generation of carbon projects. 

What tied all of these projects together, was the realization that the voluntary carbon market is not static. Every new policy signal reshapes how developers, buyers, and communities engage with carbon projects. It’s this constant evolution that makes the work challenging, but also exciting. 

Looking back, my summer was more than just research and outreach; it was about learning how to navigate uncertainty in a field that demands both rigor and adaptability. And it reinforced my belief that the future of the carbon market, alongside climate policy itself, must center on transparency and integrity.