Washington carbon prices surge above California
Prices in the newest US regional emissions trading scheme spike above more established California market on the back of more ambitious reduction target
Carbon allowances in the new Washington ‘cap and invest’ market are trading at a huge premium to the equivalent market in California, largely due to a more ambitious emissions reduction target. But with California regulators planning to raise their targets, prices could begin to converge in 2025. And a link between the systems could be on the cards for 2027. Washington carbon allowances were auctioned at around $56/t at the end of May in the second quarterly auction since the market launched in February. The equivalent quarterly auction in the joint California-Quebec market cleared at $30.33/t. December 2023 allowances are trading “in the low to mid-$60s” on the secondary market in Washingto
Also in this section
11 December 2024
CCUS and other carbon management technologies are gaining traction around the world, but heightened policy risk and other pressures will make 2025 a challenging year in some regions
10 December 2024
Tightened standards have helped improve the outlook for the voluntary carbon market, which is set for a record year and poised for long-term growth