The UN's climate arm UNFCCC is looking at options for a voluntary cancellation platform for carbon credits under the new Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (Pacm) to replace the one under its predecessor the clean development mechanism (CDM).
Pacm's regulator, the Article 6.4 supervisory body, aims to decide by July whether to "repurpose" the CDM voluntary cancellation platform or set up a new one, which would entail higher costs, it said at the closing of its meeting in Bonn, Germany, on 20 February.
The CDM will terminate at the end of this year, putting an end to the voluntary cancellation platform for CER credits issued under the mechanism.
Pacm is obliged to offer the option of voluntary cancellation of its so-called A6.4ER credits. The platform would be linked to the new mechanism registry, which is expected to remain in interim mode until early 2027, and which already lists CERs that have transitioned to Pacm.
Unless countries under the Paris Agreement decide otherwise at the UN Cop 31 climate conference in Turkey in December, all non-transitioned CERs will be cancelled by June 2027 at the latest.
This would leave only A6.4ERs and transitioned CERs on the voluntary cancellation platform from 2027, the UNFCCC said.
Some supervisory body members commended such a platform, arguing that it would broaden the reach and diversify the use of A6.4ERs, showcase projects and "engage the public".
But others cautioned on the differing ways in which jurisdictions will allow certain claims to be made on purchased units, and "public sensitivities" over issues such as greenwashing. In some jurisdictions, for instance, climate-neutral claims by companies may be challenged in court.
Claims may be a separate issue, other members argued. Claims made by purchasers are "beyond our control", the UNFCCC said.
Some members also pointed out that the aim of the CDM's voluntary platform had been to open up CER use for voluntary emissions reductions in the context of the CDM's chronic oversupply, while Pacm has hardly any supply yet and uncertain demand. The UNFCCC suggested carrying out a survey to gauge demand.
The new platform may charge vendor fees, unlike the CDM voluntary cancellation platform, the UNFCCC said, citing expected higher costs to enhance security and for the necessary resources for listing projects and monitoring orders.
The CDM voluntary cancellation platform is open to corporate buyers, event organisers and individuals wishing to reduce their carbon footprint.
Nearly 16mn CERs had been cancelled on the platform by December 2025 since its launch in 2015, the UNFCCC said. And as of December 2025, CERs from 108 projects were available on the platform, up by 45pc compared with December 2023.
