Agenda – Carbon Forward Expo London 2026

The agenda for this Stream is being developed.

9.30    Removals 1 – Crossing the divide into compliance schemes: The growing role for CDR 

11.00   Removals 11 – What is driving demand? Buyers, investors and industrials

11.45   Removals 111 – The next wave of innovation, the next wave of investment

1.30    Removals 1v – Carbon as an asset class 

2.15   Regulation and how carbon credits can become a trusted asset class

3.30  Project development – from seed to sale

The agenda for this Stream is being developed.

9.30    Session to be announced

11.00   Mandatory carbon reporting and financial disclosure

11.45   Session to be announced

1.30   Why equity and credit investors are paying attention to carbon markets?

2.15   Equities and investor focus session continues

3.30  Session to be announced

We want you to be part of Carbon Forward Expo 2026! Please apply below to get involved – we are calling out for:

💡 Start-ups for the Carbon Forward Pitch Hub – stand out and get noticed
This year the Start-up Pitch Hub will be in a designated spot in the heart of the networking area. Selected start-ups will have the opportunity to do a 5-10 minute ‘elevator’ pitch, connecting them directly with industry leaders, investors, and potential partners

🗣️ Deep Dive Workshop hosts – share insight, showcase expertise
If there is a topic the market needs to better understand, a challenge that needs unpacking, or an important opportunity to be raised, this is your chance to lead the conversation. These 30-45 minute workshop slots are to be focused, practical and interactive, giving attendees insight; whilst positioning your organisation at the centre of the discussion
Some workshop topic ideas:
– An introduction to emissions trading
– Price forecast sensitives
– Financing integrity and how investors pick projects
– A first-time CDR buyer’s guide
– How do I choose a VCM standard?
– Leveraging technology and data for next generation registries
– The real cost of CBAM
– Navigating the evolving requirements for insurance
– The road to 2040: Carbon credits in the EU’s climate policy
– Aviation in the EU ETS and CORSIA
– Managing risk in natural climate solution carbon credits

08.00   Women in Carbon Breakfast

08.00   Registration and coffee

09.00   Opening remarks from Carbon Forward

9.10  Keynote: Global carbon market convergence

The global climate and economic landscape is changing rapidly. Energy costs remain elevated, geopolitical priorities are shifting, and major economies are pursuing increasingly divergent approaches to climate policy and industrial strategy. At the same time, European industries face mounting pressure from declining free allocation, rising carbon costs and intensifying international competition. Against this backdrop, what is the future of carbon markets? This keynote will explore the pathways towards greater international market convergence, the role of carbon pricing in accelerating decarbonisation, and the policy solutions needed to balance climate ambition, energy security and economic competitiveness.

09.40   From NDCs to international carbon trade: Who will buy, who will sell, and will it be enough?

As countries move from target-setting to implementation, international carbon trade is emerging as an increasingly important mechanism for achieving climate goals. This session will examine how carbon markets under Article 6 are expected to function in practice, assess which countries are likely to become buyers and sellers of emissions reductions, and evaluate progress against Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and long-term decarbonisation pathways. Speakers will explore the potential scale of international carbon trade, the adequacy of projected supply and demand, and whether current trajectories are sufficient to meet global climate objectives.

10.10   The politics of high carbon prices

How much political appetite exists for sustained carbon prices above €100/t? As governments seek to accelerate decarbonisation while maintaining industrial competitiveness, policymakers face increasingly difficult choices. This session will examine the political and economic constraints associated with higher carbon prices, explore the extent to which emissions reductions have been driven by energy efficiency improvements versus industrial relocation, and assess the role of complementary measures such as electrification, carbon removals, international credits and carbon border adjustment mechanisms. The discussion will consider whether current policy frameworks are sufficient to deliver net zero while preserving Europe’s industrial base.

10.40   Morning coffee and Start-up Pitch Hub

11.10   PACM and Article 6: Building the next generation of international carbon markets

As international carbon markets evolve, the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM) and Article 6 frameworks are expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping future carbon trading systems. This session will explore how emerging rules and governance structures are influencing market integrity, project eligibility and the development of international carbon market cooperation. Discussion will focus on the growing convergence between voluntary and compliance markets, evolving demand signals, pricing dynamics, and the opportunities and challenges associated with scaling international carbon trading.

11.50   CORSIA: Could the Scheme become the leading international carbon market standard?

As the aviation sector becomes the first industry to adopt a global market-based mechanism for emissions reduction, CORSIA is increasingly viewed as a potential model for future international carbon market frameworks. This session will examine the relationship between CORSIA demand and Article 6-linked carbon credits, the challenge of scaling sufficient volumes of high-integrity supply, and the rigorous requirements surrounding additionality, permanence and verification. Speakers will explore how efforts to improve Article 6 alignment, market liquidity and pricing transparency could strengthen confidence in the system, and consider whether elements of the CORSIA framework could eventually be extended to sectors such as road transport and maritime shipping.

12.30   Lunch and Start-up Pitch Hub

13.45   The Voluntary Carbon Market: Turning point or tipping point?

The voluntary carbon market is undergoing a period of significant transformation as integrity initiatives and new quality benchmarks reshape both supply and demand. This session will provide a deep dive into how the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) and other market reforms are influencing project eligibility, buyer behaviour, pricing dynamics and market liquidity. Speakers will assess whether these developments represent a turning point for market credibility and growth, and examine the increasing convergence between voluntary and compliance carbon markets.

14.30   The State of Play: The future of international offsets in compliance markets

As governments seek more cost-effective pathways to decarbonisation, the role of international offsets within emissions trading systems remains one of the most contested issues in climate policy. This panel will debate whether compliance markets should allow international offsets, the implications for carbon prices and market integrity, and the potential interaction between offsets and carbon border adjustment mechanisms. The discussion will explore the growing influence of CORSIA, evolving national approaches to offset use, barriers to greater international cooperation and the potential consequences of failing to develop more interconnected global carbon markets.

15.15   Afternoon tea and Start-up Pitch-Hub

15.45   Public-private partnerships in action: Scaling carbon market supply 

The success of international carbon markets will depend on the ability to develop sufficient volumes of high-quality emissions reductions. This session will examine how governments, development agencies and private sector actors are working together to catalyse investment in carbon market supply. Speakers will explore the role of aid programmes, sovereign purchasing strategies, corresponding adjustments and Article 6 cooperation in supporting market development. The discussion will also consider how growing demand from CORSIA and sovereign buyers can be balanced with the need to maintain market integrity and long-term supply availability.

16.30   The next carbon winners: Where is the opportunity?

As international carbon markets mature and become increasingly interconnected, significant questions remain about future pricing and investment opportunities. This forward-looking session will explore a range of market scenarios, from business-as-usual development through to deeper integration between compliance markets, Article 6 mechanisms, CORSIA and the voluntary carbon market. Speakers will examine long-term price forecasts, emerging sources of demand, and the implications for investors, project developers and policymakers seeking to achieve global climate goals.

17.15    Close of day two

The agenda for this Stream is being developed.

09.40   ETS2 Unpacked 

10.10   EU CBAM: policy and coverage

11.10   EU CBAM and decarbonisation

11.50   EU CBAM and global trade

13.45   International compliance markets – focusing on the most active and fast-evolving carbon markets

SE Asia, Japan, India and North America.

14.30   International compliance markets – focusing on the most active and fast-evolving carbon markets

Africa and Brazil

15.45 Audit and verification

The agenda for this Stream is being developed.

We want you to be part of Carbon Forward Expo 2026! Please apply below to get involved – we are calling out for:

💡 Start-ups for the Carbon Forward Pitch Hub – stand out and get noticed
This year the Start-up Pitch Hub will be in a designated spot in the heart of the networking area. Selected start-ups will have the opportunity to do a 5-10 minute ‘elevator’ pitch, connecting them directly with industry leaders, investors, and potential partners

🗣️ Deep Dive Workshop hosts – share insight, showcase expertise
If there is a topic the market needs to better understand, a challenge that needs unpacking, or an important opportunity to be raised, this is your chance to lead the conversation. These 30-45 minute workshop slots are to be focused, practical and interactive, giving attendees insight; whilst positioning your organisation at the centre of the discussion
Some workshop topic ideas:
– An introduction to emissions trading
– Price forecast sensitives
– Financing integrity and how investors pick projects
– A first-time CDR buyer’s guide
– How do I choose a VCM standard?
– Leveraging technology and data for next generation registries
– The real cost of CBAM
– Navigating the evolving requirements for insurance
– The road to 2040: Carbon credits in the EU’s climate policy
– Aviation in the EU ETS and CORSIA
– Managing risk in natural climate solution carbon credits