The Priorities of Corporate Carbon Credit Buyers.

The AlliedOffsets Corporate Buyers Report – July 2025 presents an in-depth view of the voluntary carbon market from a buyer’s perspective. Through the analysis of over 3,300 companies and thousands of purchases, the report offers vital intelligence on buying patterns, project preferences, market shifts, and emerging corporate behaviour. 

Here are a few of the key insights:

Corporate demand is growing, but buyers are more selective.

Corporate activity in the VCM continues to grow, but buyers are becoming more strategic. The number of new buyers surged in 2023 and continued into 2024, with over 1,100 first-time buyers added in the past 12 months. Yet, only 43% of all buyers are repeat purchasers, highlighting a retention gap.

Technology-based removal credits are gaining popularity, but supply lags.

Carbon removal credits, especially Direct Air Capture (DAC), Biochar, and Enhanced Weathering, are gaining attention. Buyers are increasingly expressing future intent to purchase removals, and although they represent only a small share of current retirements, their symbolic and strategic value is high. Buyers are signalling support for removals even when delivery is years out. For buyers seeking to align with future-proof, high-integrity net-zero claims, placing forward contracts or including removals in their carbon credit portfolio is a smart move.

Nature-based projects still dominate, but buyers have evolving preferences. 

Avoided deforestation (REDD+) and improved forest management (IFM) projects continue to attract the majority of buyers. However, buyer sentiment is shifting toward projects with co-benefits, strong community engagement, and robust methodologies. A key takeaway is that high volume doesn’t mean high trust. When investing in nature-based projects, prioritize third-party verification, local stakeholder involvement, and evidence of permanence to mitigate reputational risk.

Registries and standards matter. 

Verra remains the most used registry, but Gold Standard, ACR, and the emergence of CDR-specific platforms like Puro.earth are gaining traction. Notably, buyers are gravitating toward credits with additional validation from initiatives like ICROA, CORSIA eligibility, and SBTi compatibility. This said, relying on registries alone isn’t enough. Due diligence on additional quality layers is becoming standard practice for leading buyers who are using these benchmarks to structure procurement policies and RFPs. 

Co-benefits and SDGs are driving differentiation.

Projects aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially clean water, education, and gender equity, are becoming more attractive to buyers. These co-benefits enhance storytelling and align with broader ESG reporting requirements. When credits are equal in carbon value, SDG-aligned ones offer greater reputational and communications ROI. Projects that clearly report these outcomes are prioritized. 

Market intelligence is a competitive advantage.

The report highlights how more buyers are using data platforms to guide purchasing decisions. Tools like AlliedOffsets and others are enabling buyers to benchmark purchases, check pricing trends, verify claims, and assess project-level impact before buying. Data fluency is emerging as a key differentiator in procurement teams. Buyers who can explain and defend the “why” behind each credit – beyond cost per tonne – are setting the gold standard.

Transparency is a brand asset.

Leading buyers like Microsoft, Stripe, and Swiss Re are publishing detailed information about their offset strategy, criteria, and lessons learned. The number of companies with transparent credit retirement records is rising. Transparency in what, where, and why companies are buying  is increasingly a reputational asset. 

Policies and regulations are starting to influence the VCM

While the voluntary market remains largely unregulated, policies like the EU Green Claims Directive and the UK’s GGR inclusion in ETS frameworks signal that more formal oversight is coming. Additionally, investors are increasingly pressuring companies to justify their offset choices. Buyers should proactively prepare for regulatory alignment, including reviewing claims, purchasing credits with verifiable impact, and avoiding low-integrity legacy projects that may fall out of compliance or public favor.

The biggest risk is inaction and sacrificing quality.

The report makes clear that while skepticism exists, most corporate buyers still believe in the VCM’s role in a credible net-zero strategy. But the largest risk is buying poor-quality credits or doing nothing at all out of fear or uncertainty. Acting with credible partners, transparency, and evolving strategy beats waiting for the “perfect” moment or product.

Invert Insights.

💡 Choices being made don’t just reflect corporate priorities; they actively shape the carbon market’s future. This report confirms that buyer preferences directly influence project development, price signals, and public trust. Choosing high-quality, transparent, and forward-looking credits is one of the most impactful levers companies can use when making meaningful steps towards decarbonization.

💡  Working with a reliable partner that prioritizes projects with meaningful and measurable co-benefits and who understands the nuances of methodologies and standards is critical in managing corporate risk. Book a discovery call with Invert’s team of experts to learn more.