Credits — Who Buys Carbon

The purchase of carbon credits is driven by two distinct market environments: the , where participation is legally mandated by governments to meet emission caps, and the Voluntary Market , where companies and individuals buy credits to satisfy sustainability goals. 1. Corporate Buyers by Industry

: Manufacturers like Volkswagen and partners of Tesla (such as Stellantis, Ford, and Toyota) purchase credits to meet strict regulatory emission targets and avoid fines. who buys carbon credits

Major corporations are the primary drivers of demand, particularly those with "hard-to-abate" emissions—sectors where complete decarbonization is currently technologically or economically unfeasible. The purchase of carbon credits is driven by

: Large energy companies use credits to offer "carbon-neutral" fuels and address operational emissions. Shell was the largest single retirer of credits in 2024 and 2025, neutralizing nearly 10 million tonnes in 2025 alone. Major corporations are the primary drivers of demand,

: Despite having lower direct emissions, financial institutions and service firms are intensive users of voluntary offsets to boost environmental claims and attract ESG-conscious investors. Carbon credits: A crucial tool for climate action - Agreena

: Tech giants like Google , Microsoft, and Meta are massive buyers. Microsoft, in particular, has been a market leader, accounting for roughly 60% of nature-based carbon removal offtakes in 2025.