Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Voluntary Carbon and Nature Markets

Tuesday 2 June 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kerry McCarthy inquired about the UK Government's plans to publish a response to the consultation on voluntary carbon and nature markets.
  • McCarthy expressed concerns from investors regarding the recognition of nature-based solutions in carbon market frameworks.
  • Desmond Swayne questioned the Minister about the plans to allow clean community energy companies to sell power directly to households and businesses.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Climate Environment
Context

The UK has been leading in climate action, but concerns remain about the role of nature-based solutions in carbon market frameworks.

Question

When he plans to publish the Government's response to the consultation entitled “Voluntary carbon and nature markets: raising integrity”.

Answer from Katie White

May I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for her leadership on this issue? The UK is a global leader on carbon pricing and nature recovery. We are committed to strengthening carbon markets to help us achieve our climate and nature goals. At London Climate Action Week, we will set out our work to centre integrity and build scale in these markets through the coalition to grow carbon markets, and the consultation response will be published later this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify an exact date or timeline for publishing the response

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Q2 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Climate
Context

Investors are concerned about the role of nature-based solutions being fully recognized in carbon market frameworks as London Climate Action Week approaches.

Question

I thank the Minister for her response, and I welcome the UK's leadership. Investors are concerned that the role of nature-based solutions in carbon market frameworks is not being fully recognised. With London Climate Action Week fast approaching, can she reassure investors that the Government see nature-based solutions as crucial to our collective efforts to tackle climate change, and that we will pursue this endeavour during upcoming article 6 negotiations?

Answer from Katie White

I assure my hon. Friend and investors that nature-based solutions are central to our response to this issue. London is the centre of carbon markets, and we want to protect that. We have been focusing on the coalition to grow carbon markets, which we will work on at London Climate Action Week, but I would love to work with her to make sure that we give reassurance, act with integrity and come forward with the necessary proposals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or commitments about nature-based solutions in carbon market frameworks beyond general reassurances

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Q3 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Energy
Context

There is a desire for clean community energy companies to be able to sell power directly to customers.

Question

Does the Minister plan to allow clean community energy companies to sell power directly to households and businesses?

Answer from Katie White

We are pursuing that through the local power plan, and we intend for that to happen.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or timeline on when this will be allowed

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