Article 6 Implementation Status Report (A6ISR)

Purpose of Report 

The Article 6 Implementation Status Report (A6ISR) aims to present a snapshot of the global progress made by Parties to the Paris Agreement (subsequently in this report referred to as "Parties")  in implementing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The report offers a global assessment of Article 6 readiness, focusing on the strategies, challenges, and capacity-building efforts required for effective participation in global carbon markets. Drawing on data from Paris Agreement Article 6 Implementation Partnership (A6IP) Center internal consultations, desk research, partner countries, A6IP surveys, partner organizations, A6IP factsheets, and A6IP databases, the report provides decision-makers with actionable insights regarding global readiness of both acquiring and host Parties to engage with Article 6 mechanisms. 

In addition to a thorough analysis of Article 6 and voluntary carbon market activities, the report emphasizes the need for international cooperation and technical support to propel implementation forward. Its objectives include presenting an overview of Article 6 readiness in about 90 Parties and detailing policy frameworks, institutional arrangements, and legal structures, as listed below:

• ​Providing a comprehensive analysis of voluntary carbon market activities and their role in Article 6 implementation using the data compiled by the A6IP Center and its partners.
• Guiding decision-makers on leveraging Article 6 to enhance national climate ambitions and deliver sustainable development  benefits.
• Providing trend analysis to support researchers and stakeholders with insights into nascent challenges and opportunities presented  in implementing Article 6.
• ​Promoting the collaborative efforts of A6IP Center and its partners, emphasizing their role in providing capacity-building and technical support to participating Parties.

Report Structure

The A6ISR is organized into eight chapters, each covering a core aspect of implementing Article 6.

• Chapter 1: Introduction
  Outlines Article 6’s context and objectives, emphasizing A6IP’s role in supporting countries' cooperative climate efforts.
• Chapter 2: Methodology
  Details data sources and methods, including A6IP surveys, country factsheets, and secondary databases like UNFCCC. Harmonized data enable cross-country comparisons of Article 6 readiness among 90 countries.
• Chapter 3: Current Status of Article 6.2 Implementation
  Examines Article 6.2’s core mechanisms—authorization, reporting, and tracking—highlighting progress in establishing ITMO transfer processes and transparency.
•  Chapter 4: Current Developments in Bilateral Cooperation and Article 6.4 Mechanism
  Explores trends in carbon markets, including Article 6.2 bilateral agreements, independent standards, and the transition from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to Article 6.4.
• ​Chapter 5: Assessing Current Project Status under Independent Carbon Standards and their Potential Role in Article 6 Implementation
• Analyzes projects under key independent carbon standards and their role in Article 6, highlighting their use in verifying mitigation outcomes and aligning carbon markets.
•  Chapter 6: Challenges Implementing Article 6 from the Perspectives of Party Representatives
  Summarizes common challenges like regulatory gaps, capacity needs, and technical barriers, offering practical solutions to strengthen frameworks, transparency, and skills.
• Chapter 7: Article 6 Capacity Building Landscape: Engagement with Carbon Market Capacity Building

            Reviews global capacity-building efforts, highlighting initiatives that support countries in building robust institutional and  
​            technical foundations for Article 6.

• Chapter 8: Enhancing NDC Ambition Through Article 6 Mechanisms
  Discusses how Article 6 mechanisms can help countries elevate their NDCs by mobilizing finance, supporting technology transfer, and addressing emissions in challenging sectors.