ICVCM and SHIFT-CM Partner to Strengthen Nature-Based Carbon Science

The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market and the Science for High-Integrity Frameworks to Transform Carbon Markets initiative have announced a strategic partnership running through 2026 to align scientific research with carbon market governance for nature-based credits. Under the agreement, ICVCM will identify methodological gaps in nature-based carbon accounting while SHIFT CM shapes its research agenda around the most pressing market challenges.

SHIFT CM is led by The Nature Conservancy and Yale University and brings together more than 40 scientists from diverse institutions focused on natural climate solutions credit markets. Initial research topics under the partnership include leakage quantification, reversal risk compensation, digital measurement, reporting, and verification best practices, baseline selection, and durability optimisation. ICVCM Governing Board Member Pedro Barata stated that the partnership will ensure continuous improvement work on nature-based methodologies is informed by cutting-edge research.

The partnership does not guarantee adoption of SHIFT CM's scientific outputs into ICVCM standards, but ensures scientific insights are formally considered in shaping carbon credit quality requirements. Clare Shakya, Global Managing Director of Climate at The Nature Conservancy, stated that when designed and governed with integrity, carbon credits are a powerful tool for climate mitigation, and that aligning SHIFT CM research with ICVCM standards will help ensure natural climate solutions deliver real, measurable impact.

The collaboration addresses a recognised gap in the voluntary carbon market: the lag between scientific advances in carbon quantification and the methodological frameworks used by crediting programmes. Nature-based solutions including avoided deforestation and reforestation projects form a significant share of the voluntary carbon market, and both leakage and permanence remain active areas of scientific and regulatory debate. The ICVCM stated its intention to expand its network of research partnerships over time to address complex market challenges and explore areas for innovation.

Key figure — More than 40 scientists involved in SHIFT CM research consortium