Where to Sell Carbon Credits: 10 Platforms Across Certification, Marketplaces, and Exchanges

By Ketul

Updated 19 Jan, 2026

10 min read

Selling carbon credits is not a single-step process. Before a credit reaches a buyer, it typically passes through certification, registration, and then a sales channel. Different platforms play different roles in this journey, and confusing these roles is one of the most common mistakes made when discussing carbon markets.

Some platforms issue and register carbon credits, others connect sellers directly with buyers, while some operate as intermediaries or exchanges where already-issued credits are traded. Understanding these distinctions is essential for anyone looking to sell carbon credits responsibly and credibly.

Below are 10 widely used platforms involved in the sale of carbon credits, grouped by their actual function in the market.

Platforms That Issue and Register Carbon Credits (Mandatory First Step)

These platforms are not sales marketplaces. Instead, they issue and register carbon credits under recognised standards. Without passing through one of these, credits generally cannot be sold in reputable markets.

1. Verra

Verra operates the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), the most widely used standard in the voluntary carbon market. Projects verified under Verra receive uniquely numbered credits recorded in a public registry.

For sellers, Verra is a gateway. Credits must be issued here before they can be sold via marketplaces, intermediaries, or exchanges.

🔗 https://verra.org

2. Gold Standard

Gold Standard focuses on high-integrity carbon credits with strong social and environmental safeguards. Credits issued here are often preferred by buyers prioritising quality and co-benefits.

While Gold Standard does not facilitate sales directly, its certification significantly influences where and how credits can be sold.

🔗 https://www.goldstandard.org

3. Cercarbono

Cercarbono is a regional carbon standard with strong adoption in Latin America. It supports nature-based and community-driven projects and provides access to international markets once credits are issued.

🔗 https://www.cercarbono.com

Marketplaces Where Carbon Credits Are Sold to Buyers

These platforms actively connect sellers and buyers. Credits listed here must already be issued under a recognised standard.

4. ClimateSeed

ClimateSeed operates a curated carbon marketplace focused on transparency and long-term buyer–project relationships. Sellers list credits along with detailed impact information, targeting corporate buyers rather than spot traders.

🔗 https://climateseed.com

5. Patch

Patch provides digital infrastructure that allows project developers to list carbon credits and sell them to corporate buyers through APIs and dashboards. It is commonly used by technology-driven companies seeking scalable access to carbon credits.

🔗 https://www.patch.io

6. Carbonfuture

Carbonfuture focuses exclusively on carbon removal credits, offering traceability and long-term monitoring. It is suited for sellers working in biochar, mineralisation, and other durable removal pathways.

🔗 https://carbonfuture.earth

7. Puro.earth

Puro.earth is a marketplace dedicated to engineered carbon removal. Sellers generate CO₂ Removal Certificates (CORCs), which are purchased by companies pursuing net-zero strategies.

🔗 https://puro.earth

Intermediaries That Sell Carbon Credits on Your Behalf

These organisations are not open marketplaces. Instead, they structure projects, source buyers, and distribute credits.

8. South Pole

South Pole works as a project developer and distributor. Sellers partner with South Pole to certify projects and place credits with corporate buyers through long-term offtake agreements or portfolio sales.

🔗 https://www.southpole.com

Exchanges for Trading Issued Carbon Credits

These platforms function like financial exchanges. They are most relevant for sellers with already-issued credits seeking liquidity or transparent price discovery.

9. AirCarbon Exchange

AirCarbon Exchange (ACX) is a regulated exchange that enables the trading of standardised carbon credits. It is used primarily for secondary market transactions rather than project-level sales.

🔗 https://www.aircarbon.co

10. Xpansiv

Xpansiv operates environmental commodity exchanges and registries, including platforms for carbon credits. It connects sellers to institutional buyers and financial market participants.

🔗 https://xpansiv.com

How to Choose the Right Platform

The right platform depends on:

Whether your credits are already issued or still in development
Credit type (avoidance vs removal)
Target buyers (corporate, institutional, or traders)
Desired price stability versus liquidity
Long-term project strategy

Early-stage projects usually begin with standards and intermediaries, while issued credits can move directly to marketplaces or exchanges.

Conclusion

There is no single place where carbon credits are “sold.” Instead, the market is an ecosystem of standards, marketplaces, intermediaries, and exchanges, each playing a distinct role.

Understanding where your project fits within this ecosystem is essential for selling carbon credits credibly, accessing the right buyers, and achieving fair pricing. As carbon markets mature, sellers who work with transparent, well-governed platforms will be best positioned for long-term success.

Done. Below is everything added cleanly and publish-ready, aligned with your final, expert-reviewed version of the blog.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Where can I actually sell my carbon credits?

Carbon credits are typically sold through a combination of certification standards, marketplaces, intermediaries, and exchanges. Credits must first be issued under a recognised standard before they can be sold via marketplaces or traded on exchanges.

2. Do I need certification before selling carbon credits?

Yes. In most reputable markets, carbon credits must be certified and registered under recognised standards before buyers will consider purchasing them. Certification ensures credibility and traceability.

3. What is the difference between a carbon marketplace and an exchange?

Marketplaces connect project developers directly with buyers, often through curated listings. Exchanges focus on trading already-issued credits, prioritising liquidity and price discovery rather than project-level storytelling.

4. Can small project developers sell carbon credits directly?

Small project developers can sell credits, but they often work with intermediaries or curated marketplaces that help structure projects, access buyers, and manage certification requirements.

5. Are all platforms suitable for every type of carbon credit?

No. Some platforms specialise in nature-based credits, others in engineered carbon removal, and some focus on secondary market trading. Choosing the right platform depends on credit type and project maturity.

6. How do platform choices affect carbon credit prices?

Platform choice can influence pricing by determining buyer access, transparency, and credibility. High-integrity marketplaces and intermediaries often attract buyers willing to pay more for quality.

7. Is it better to sell carbon credits through a marketplace or an intermediary?

Marketplaces offer more direct visibility to buyers, while intermediaries provide end-to-end support and long-term buyer relationships. The better option depends on your capacity, project size, and sales strategy.

8. Can carbon credits be sold internationally?

Yes. Many platforms facilitate international sales, provided credits meet certification and registry requirements and comply with relevant national and international rules.

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