A UN body, the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body, has adopted a new “suppressed demand” standard to support climate projects in communities that lack basic services like water and sanitation. This standard, part of the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism, allows projects to earn carbon credits by accounting for the emissions that would have occurred if these communities had access to basic services. The standard aims to provide real development benefits by recognizing that the lack of emissions in these communities is due to a lack of access, not a lack of need.

The Supervisory Body is also working on a standard for non-permanence and reversals, with a final recommendation expected in September and adoption in October 2025.

Source: UNFCCC