The brief provides an overview of how ERW works and how ERW credits are generated, current market and policy developments, applicable methodologies and standards, and key considerations around durability, MRV, co-benefits and environmental risks.
The Business Brief also examines:
- Voluntary market developments, including methodologies from Isometric, Puro.earth, Rainbow, Carbon Standards International and Oncra
- The status of ERW in compliance and regulatory frameworks, including the EU CRCF, Article 6 and emissions trading systems
- Key issuance, pricing and buyer trends, along with the geographic and supplier distribution of credits
- The challenges of measuring CO2 drawdown and tracking carbon as it moves from fields to oceans
- The evolving policy outlook, including the forthcoming IPCC Methodology Report on CCUS and CDR
With credit issuance growing rapidly from a small base, ERW is attracting increasing interest as a potentially scalable and durable removal pathway. The voluntary carbon market is providing an important testing ground to advance the science and strengthen monitoring approaches.
This Business Brief is part of IETA's Carbon Management Business Brief Series, launching over the course of 2026. Stay tuned for future editions.
This Business Brief was last updated in September 2026.
