AIM Carbon took part in the Carbon Forward Middle East conference held in Abu Dhabi on 14–15 January 2026, as part of the broader UAE Future Energy forum. The event brought together government representatives, low-carbon technology providers, climate project developers, leading consulting firms, and academic experts to discuss the future of carbon markets in the region and globally.
The discussions highlighted growing regional interest in carbon regulation amid rapid global developments. Representatives from Saudi Arabia announced plans to introduce carbon regulations starting in 2028, signaling a shift toward a low-carbon development pathway, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and accelerated carbon market development.
A key topic of the conference was the implementation of the United Arab Emirates’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Speakers emphasized that achieving these ambitious targets will require a combination of technological decarbonization—through renewable energy and electric transport—and partial emissions offsetting via carbon credits under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Similarities were drawn with Singapore, where limited domestic credit supply has led to increased use of international carbon credits.
Market outlooks from analysts at MSCI, BeZero Carbon, and Sylvera pointed to strong future demand for carbon credits through CORSIA, national compliance markets, and Article 6 mechanisms. Together with moderate growth in voluntary carbon markets, this could result in at least a threefold increase in global demand by 2030. Experts also warned of a looming shortage of high-quality offsets that meet stringent CORSIA and Core Carbon Principles (CCP) requirements, potentially driving prices higher over the coming years.
Commenting on the event, Andrey Ptichnikov, Deputy Head of AIM Carbon, noted:
“For the first time, we are clearly seeing a shift in the traditionally conservative climate policies of Gulf countries with oil- and gas-based economies. Government announcements on upcoming carbon regulation and large-scale decarbonization signal strong momentum for regional carbon markets. Against this backdrop, AIM Carbon remains well-positioned to serve regional clients as a reliable supplier of high-quality carbon credits.”
EN
