Country: Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda
Carbon Markets Activation Plan Platform (CMAP).
About CMAP
The Carbon Market Activation Plan (CMAP) is a strategic platform developed by Verst Carbon in collaboration with the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI). CMAP is designed to support African nations in activating and scaling their carbon markets by providing comprehensive tools and resources.
The platform offers data-driven insights, policy assessments, and actionable roadmaps to help countries develop high-integrity carbon credit ecosystems. By facilitating better integration of climate goals with economic development strategies, CMAP aims to unlock Africa’s carbon potential and attract sustainable investments.
The Problem
African carbon markets face several challenges that impede their growth and effectiveness. Key issues include fragmented project efforts, limited capacity among local developers, complex and uncertain regulatory environments, and a lack of cohesive market infrastructure. These obstacles prevent African nations from fully leveraging carbon markets as a means to finance climate goals, attract investment, and drive sustainable development. Without a unified approach and the necessary tools, countries struggle to generate high-quality carbon credits and ensure that benefits are equitably distributed to local communities.
The Solution
CMAP addresses these challenges by providing a unified, data-driven platform that empowers governments, investors, and project developers. By leveraging these tools, CMAP enables African nations to develop structured and transparent carbon credit systems, optimize carbon credit generation, improve policy frameworks, and attract investment. Key features of the CMAP platform include:
Emissions Analytics
Offers detailed insights into historical greenhouse gas emissions and future projections based on national targets and policy scenarios.
Voluntary Carbon Market Overview
Provides analysis of the voluntary carbon market within each country, including trends and potential opportunities.
Carbon Market Opportunities
Identifies key mitigation measures and methodologies to maximize carbon credit generation and potential revenue from carbon finance.
Policy Assessment
Evaluates existing carbon market policies and offers recommendations to align them with international best practices.
Ecosystem Mapping
Maps stakeholders involved in the carbon market value chain, clarifying roles and responsibilities to enhance collaboration.
Interactive Dashboard
Features an intuitive dashboard for monitoring progress, visualizing data, and facilitating informed decision-making.
Impact Made So Far
Since its inception, CMAP has made significant contributions in its initial partner countries. By providing comprehensive diagnostics and tailored action plans, the platform has helped nations like Nigeria, Rwanda, and Ghana to better understand their carbon market potential and set ambitious targets. CMAP has facilitated stakeholder engagement by mapping key participants and defining their roles, which has enhanced coordination and collaboration.
The policy assessments have assisted governments in aligning their regulations with global standards, making their markets more attractive to international investors. While the project is ongoing, these foundational steps have positioned participating countries to accelerate their carbon market development and attract sustainable investments.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
CMAP contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: By promoting investment in clean energy projects through carbon finance mechanisms. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By creating job opportunities in carbon project development, monitoring, and verification. SDG 13: Climate Action: By facilitating greenhouse gas emissions reductions and supporting countries in meeting their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: By fostering collaboration among governments, the private sector, and local communities to strengthen carbon market ecosystems. Through these contributions, CMAP supports both national development objectives and global efforts to address climate change.
