Environmental Leader

With it now practically a given that Copenhagen will yield no global climate deal, carbon traders say that a final agreement in 2010 is crucial to the vitality of the carbon offset sector.

Companies that have invested in carbon offset projects in anticipation of a climate deal being struck may end up affected by the future value of carbon permits, reports Economic Times.

Even investors in clean energy projects are holding back until the climate deal is struck, effectively tying up investments that will define growth for the next decade.

In Japan, the impact is being felt as steel makers bought almost 6 percent fewer carbon credits than they thought they would need, reports Reuters. The reason is that delays in development of foreign offset projects affects the amount that can be offset, illustrating the risk in investing in developing nations.

As companies consider how to incorporate carbon markets into their business plans, Deloitte has issued a white paper entitled, “Challenges in Carbon Accounting: Are You Ready?” (PDF)

Deloitte’s white paper discusses accounting questions related to the following topics:

- Emission allowances

- Obligations

- Presentation of allowances and obligation

- Forward emission contracts