Carbon Services and Trading
Overview
Climate change affects everyone, including businesses. The carbon services and trading industry helps companies measure, reduce, and offset their carbon emissions to protect our planet.
About industry
This industry helps businesses and governments tackle climate change by developing carbon reduction projects, advising on decarbonisation strategies, and managing carbon credits. You could work as project developers, traders, advisors, or specialists in emissions monitoring and verification. Global net-zero commitments drive demand for professionals who can measure carbon footprints, implement reduction strategies, and facilitate carbon trading.
Industry facts
01
Singapore hosts over 150 carbon services companies, representing the highest concentration of carbon service providers in Southeast Asia.
02
The Southeast Asia region contains 25% of the world's nature-based solutions supply and 30% of global nature-based solutions potential, making it a key carbon credit exporter.
03
Singapore was the first country in Asia to introduce a carbon tax in 2019, and the first in Southeast Asia to allow carbon tax-liable companies to use international carbon credits to offset up to 5% of their taxable emissions from 2024.
Policy-Driven Market Growth
Singapore's climate policies drive sustained demand for carbon services. From 2025, all listed companies must report their climate impact using global standards, whilst those paying carbon tax can buy international carbon credits to offset emissions. Over 70% of major Singapore Exchange companies committed to net-zero by 2050. These create opportunities in carbon advisory, emissions monitoring and reporting, verification services, and carbon market operations.
Innovation and Research Advancement
Innovation platforms and research institutions are developing solutions to tackle climate challenges. Universities innovation platforms like Blue Catalyst and Blue Carbon Plus design technologies for high-quality carbon ecosystems expansion, whilst the Temasek Liveability Challenge supports low-carbon solution development. This ecosystem offers opportunities in scientific research, technology development, and innovative approaches to carbon services.
Green Talent Development
Universities and government initiatives are developing specialised carbon services talent pipelines. Nanyang Technological University's Carbon Markets Academy and National University of Singapore's Sustainability Academy offer training and certification in carbon services and trading. Singapore's enhanced employment pass framework attracts international carbon experts, creating a diverse talent pool and varied career pathways in this growing sector.
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Melissa Low
Head (NUS Sustainability Academy),
National University of Singapore
"Hi there! I'm Melissa, a climate policy and sustainability expert at NUS with 15 years in research and continuing education and training. I help profe..."