The International Carbon Action Partnership’s 2026 report highlights the expansion of emissions trading systems worldwide, covering more of the global economy and driving vital revenue for clean energy investments, signalling a mature shift in climate policy.
Global carbon markets are moving into a more established phase, with emissions trading systems now operating across a wider share of the world economy and edging deeper into large emerging markets, according to the International Carbon Action Partnership’s Status Report 2026.
The report says 41 emissions trading systems are currently in force worldwide, covering about 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It adds that jurisdictions with active ETS frameworks account for 63% of global GDP and more than half of the world’s population, underlining how carbon pricing has moved well beyond its early centre of gravity in Europe and North America.
ICAP said the expansion is set to continue in 2026, with national systems due to launch in Japan, India and Vietnam. The report also points to tightening rules in several established schemes. China is preparing to move its national ETS towards an absolute emissions cap by 2027, while the European Union is broadening coverage to transport and buildings. South Korea has raised auctioning levels and introduced new stability measures, and California has secured its market through 2045.
Revenue is becoming an increasingly important part of the policy picture. According to ICAP, ETS programmes generated almost $80 billion in 2025, money that governments are using for clean energy investment and support for households facing higher costs. That fiscal dimension, the report suggests, is helping carbon pricing build political durability as well as environmental impact.
The findings fit a broader trend identified by the World Bank, which has also reported record growth in carbon pricing instruments across compliance and voluntary markets. For industrial decarbonisation professionals, the message is clear: emissions trading is no longer a niche climate-policy experiment, but a central part of the regulatory landscape shaping investment, competitiveness and transition planning.
- https://carbonherald.com/63-of-global-gdp-now-operates-under-carbon-pricing-systems/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=63-of-global-gdp-now-operates-under-carbon-pricing-systems – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://icapcarbonaction.com/en/publications/emissions-trading-worldwide-icap-status-report-2026 – The International Carbon Action Partnership’s 2026 Status Report reveals that 41 emissions trading systems (ETS) are now operational globally, covering 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions. These systems span jurisdictions representing 63% of global GDP and over half the world’s population. Notably, Japan, India, and Vietnam are set to launch national-level ETS in 2026, indicating the spread of emissions trading across diverse economies. Established systems are also deepening their ambition, with revenues reaching a record USD 80 billion in 2025, supporting clean energy transitions and household support.
- https://icapcarbonaction.com/en/publications/emissions-trading-worldwide-icap-status-report-2025 – The 2025 edition of ICAP’s Emissions Trading Worldwide Status Report highlights the continued expansion of emissions trading systems (ETS) globally. As of 2025, 38 ETSs are in operation, covering 23% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Emerging economies are driving the next generation of ETSs, with countries like Brazil, India, Indonesia, Turkey, and Vietnam adopting innovative system designs. Established systems are refining and expanding, with China extending its ETS beyond the power sector to include steel, cement, and aluminum smelting, increasing emissions coverage by an estimated 3 GtCO₂e.
- https://icapcarbonaction.com/en/publications/emissions-trading-worldwide-icap-status-report-2024 – ICAP’s 2024 Status Report presents the latest developments in emissions trading systems worldwide. As the world experienced the warmest year on record, governments are increasingly turning to emissions trading as a central tool in their climate strategies. The report provides comprehensive insights into the state of carbon markets, highlighting the growing importance of emissions trading in global efforts to combat climate change.
- https://icapcarbonaction.com/en/publications/emissions-trading-worldwide-icap-status-report-2023 – The 2023 edition of ICAP’s Emissions Trading Worldwide Status Report offers an in-depth analysis of the global landscape of emissions trading systems. The report details the number of ETSs in operation, their coverage of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the role of emerging economies in shaping the future of carbon markets. It also examines the effectiveness of existing systems and provides recommendations for enhancing their design and implementation.
- https://icapcarbonaction.com/en/publications/emissions-trading-worldwide-icap-status-report-2022 – ICAP’s 2022 Status Report provides a comprehensive overview of the global state of emissions trading systems. The report includes detailed factsheets, analyses, and infographics covering all ETSs in operation, under development, or under consideration worldwide. It highlights the progress made in carbon markets and discusses the challenges and opportunities in expanding and enhancing emissions trading systems.
- https://icapcarbonaction.com/en/publications/emissions-trading-worldwide-icap-status-report-2021 – The 2021 edition of ICAP’s Emissions Trading Worldwide Status Report presents the latest developments in emissions trading systems globally. The report offers insights into the number of ETSs in operation, their coverage of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the role of emerging economies in the expansion of carbon markets. It also discusses the effectiveness of existing systems and provides recommendations for their improvement.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article references the International Carbon Action Partnership’s (ICAP) Status Report 2026, published on April 14, 2026. ([icapcarbonaction.com](https://icapcarbonaction.com/zh/node/1136?utm_source=openai)) The article was published on April 27, 2026, indicating a 13-day gap. This slight delay is acceptable for reporting on recent publications. However, the article’s reliance on a single source raises concerns about originality and potential recycling of content.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The article does not provide direct quotes from the ICAP Status Report 2026. Instead, it paraphrases the report’s findings. While this is common in news reporting, the lack of direct citations makes it difficult to verify the exact wording and context of the information presented.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The primary source, the ICAP Status Report 2026, is a reputable publication from a well-established organisation. ([icapcarbonaction.com](https://icapcarbonaction.com/zh/node/1136?utm_source=openai)) However, the article’s secondary source, Carbon Herald, is a niche publication with limited reach and may not be as widely recognised or trusted.
Plausibility check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims made in the article align with the findings of the ICAP Status Report 2026, which reports that 41 emissions trading systems are now in force worldwide, covering 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and that jurisdictions operating an ETS together account for 63% of global GDP and more than half the world’s population. ([icapcarbonaction.com](https://icapcarbonaction.com/zh/node/1136?utm_source=openai)) These figures are consistent with the article’s content, suggesting high plausibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article provides a summary of the ICAP Status Report 2026, with claims that align with the report’s findings. However, the reliance on a single source and the lack of direct quotes or additional independent verification sources raise concerns about the article’s originality and verification independence. While the content is plausible and the primary source is reputable, the article’s reliance on a niche secondary source and the absence of direct citations suggest a need for cautious interpretation. Editors should consider seeking additional independent verification before publishing.
