PUBLISHER: Global Industry Analysts, Inc. | PRODUCT CODE: 1758839
PUBLISHER: Global Industry Analysts, Inc. | PRODUCT CODE: 1758839
Global Emissions Trading Market to Reach US$1.2 Billion by 2030
The global market for Emissions Trading estimated at US$428.7 Million in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$1.2 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 18.5% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Cap-and-Trade, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 16.9% CAGR and reach US$779.4 Million by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Baseline-and-Credit segment is estimated at 22.0% CAGR over the analysis period.
The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$112.7 Million While China is Forecast to Grow at 17.6% CAGR
The Emissions Trading market in the U.S. is estimated at US$112.7 Million in the year 2024. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$183.4 Million by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 17.6% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 16.8% and 16.2% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 13.8% CAGR.
Global Emissions Trading Market - Key Trends & Drivers Summarized
Why Is Emissions Trading Emerging as a Cornerstone of Climate Change Mitigation Strategies?
Emissions trading, often referred to as cap-and-trade, has rapidly evolved into a central policy instrument in the global fight against climate change. By placing a market-based price on carbon emissions, emissions trading schemes (ETS) incentivize polluters to reduce their greenhouse gas outputs cost-effectively. Under this mechanism, a government or regulatory body sets a cap on the total allowable emissions and issues a corresponding number of permits or allowances. Companies that can reduce emissions below their quota can sell surplus allowances to those who exceed theirs, creating a financial incentive for cleaner production. This flexible, market-driven approach enables emission reductions to occur wherever they are most economical, lowering overall societal costs. Emissions trading aligns well with the “polluter pays” principle and encourages technological innovation, as companies seek new methods to cut emissions and sell unused credits. As global warming accelerates and countries race to meet their Paris Agreement targets, ETS programs have become increasingly widespread-from the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to China’s National ETS, the world’s largest by volume. Additionally, sectors like aviation, energy, cement, and steel-long considered difficult to decarbonize-are now being brought under cap-and-trade frameworks to ensure meaningful contributions to national and global carbon neutrality goals. This growing acceptance underscores emissions trading’s rising role in shaping a low-carbon economic future.
How Are Regulatory Evolution and Global Linkages Driving Market Maturity in Emissions Trading?
The sophistication of emissions trading markets is increasing rapidly as countries refine their regulatory structures, integrate new sectors, and pursue international linkages. Initially limited in scope and geographic reach, ETS programs are now expanding in both depth and complexity. Jurisdictions are moving from pilot schemes to fully regulated, economy-wide programs, supported by robust Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) frameworks that ensure data transparency and compliance. For instance, the European Union has introduced tighter caps and a Market Stability Reserve (MSR) mechanism to curb price volatility and ensure long-term effectiveness. Meanwhile, China’s national ETS, while initially covering only the power sector, is preparing to include heavy industries like steel and cement, setting the stage for a more comprehensive climate policy regime. Internationally, there is a growing trend toward linking ETS programs to enable cross-border allowance trading, enhancing market liquidity and aligning global carbon prices. The linkage between California’s cap-and-trade system and Quebec’s market under the Western Climate Initiative is a notable example of this cooperative momentum. Such linkages help create larger and more resilient carbon markets, attract private investment, and reduce compliance costs for businesses. Emerging carbon clubs and voluntary offset markets are also converging with regulated systems, offering hybrid models that combine compliance flexibility with additional sustainability co-benefits. As regulatory bodies around the world prioritize long-term decarbonization pathways, emissions trading systems are being refined to be more resilient, interoperable, and impactful.
Why Are Corporations and Financial Institutions Increasingly Engaging with Carbon Markets?
The participation of corporations and financial institutions in emissions trading markets has increased significantly as climate risk becomes a financial risk and as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics influence investment decisions. For corporations, compliance with ETS regulations is not only a legal obligation but also a strategic imperative to manage carbon costs and maintain competitiveness. Forward-looking companies are adopting internal carbon pricing, buying and banking allowances strategically, and investing in carbon-reducing technologies to stay ahead of tightening emissions caps. Meanwhile, voluntary participation in carbon markets is also rising, with companies purchasing carbon credits to meet net-zero pledges and enhance their sustainability branding. For financial institutions, carbon trading represents a growing asset class with opportunities for hedging, speculation, and portfolio diversification. Carbon exchanges, futures contracts, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) linked to emissions markets are proliferating, providing tools for sophisticated market participation. Additionally, climate-conscious investors are scrutinizing firms’ carbon exposure and emissions strategy as part of broader ESG due diligence. The rise of climate disclosure frameworks-such as TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures)-has made transparency around carbon allowances and offsets a business necessity. As carbon markets mature, companies that proactively integrate emissions trading into their financial and operational planning will be better positioned to meet both regulatory and investor expectations in an increasingly carbon-constrained world.
What Forces Are Fueling the Global Growth of the Emissions Trading Market?
The growth in the emissions trading market is driven by multiple converging forces, spanning policy, economics, technology, and societal expectations. One of the strongest drivers is the intensification of climate policy worldwide, with governments implementing or strengthening ETS frameworks to meet their net-zero pledges and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Additionally, the economic rationale for emissions trading is becoming more compelling as global carbon prices rise, incentivizing emissions reductions while generating public revenues that can be reinvested in green innovation and energy transition programs. Technological advances in emissions monitoring, blockchain-based trading platforms, and AI-driven risk management are enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and security of carbon markets, drawing interest from a wider pool of participants. Corporate sustainability commitments-spurred by investor pressure, consumer demand, and regulatory requirements-are accelerating demand for emissions allowances and verified carbon offsets. Moreover, the shift toward low-carbon supply chains and sustainable procurement is embedding carbon pricing deeper into corporate decision-making. Public opinion and social activism are also exerting influence, pushing for stricter accountability and rapid climate action. Multilateral cooperation and climate finance mechanisms are supporting capacity-building in developing countries, enabling them to launch or link to carbon markets. Together, these factors are transforming emissions trading from a niche environmental policy into a core component of the global economic framework for managing climate risk and achieving sustainable growth.
SCOPE OF STUDY:
The report analyzes the Emissions Trading market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:
Segments:
Trading Type (Cap-and-Trade, Baseline-and-Credit); End-Use (Energy, Power Generation, Industrial, Transportation, Agriculture)
Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific; Rest of World.
Select Competitors (Total 41 Featured) -
AI INTEGRATIONS
We're transforming market and competitive intelligence with validated expert content and AI tools.
Instead of following the general norm of querying LLMs and Industry-specific SLMs, we built repositories of content curated from domain experts worldwide including video transcripts, blogs, search engines research, and massive amounts of enterprise, product/service, and market data.
TARIFF IMPACT FACTOR
Our new release incorporates impact of tariffs on geographical markets as we predict a shift in competitiveness of companies based on HQ country, manufacturing base, exports and imports (finished goods and OEM). This intricate and multifaceted market reality will impact competitors by increasing the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), reducing profitability, reconfiguring supply chains, amongst other micro and macro market dynamics.