The Article 6.4 mechanism creates a UN-supervised carbon crediting system-the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM)-that issues credits from activities that reduce or remove greenhouse-gas emissions while supporting sustainable development. The mechanism is overseen by the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body that sets the rules, approves methodologies, accredits independent validators/verifiers known as designated operational entities (DOEs), registers activities, and oversees the Article 6.4 Registry and activity cycle of validation → registration → verification → issuance. Unlike its precursor in the Kyoto Protocol, the PACM features a Grievance Mechanism and an enhanced focus on sustainable development and environmental integrity.
Key developments to date:
- Framework decision on Article 6.4 was established at COP26 in Glasgow
- Safeguards adopted (Oct 2024): Mandatory environmental and human-rights protections for all A6.4 activities.
- Core standards advanced (late 2024 → 2025): Supervisory Body finalised key standards and tools for project crediting (baseline/leakage, additionality, reversals), building on outcomes from COP29.
- Interim UN registry launched (Q1 2025): An interim Article 6.4 registry was readied/launched while the permanent system is developed.
- Accreditation underway: First DOEs accredited to validate/verify A6.4 activities.
- CDM → Article 6.4 transition: Pathways and deadlines set for eligible CDM projects/PoAs to transition (notably A/R projects through 31 Dec 2025).
- First A6.4 methodology approved (Oct 30, 2025): A Paris-aligned methodology for landfill-methane mitigation—marking a practical start for registering activities under A6.4; additional methodologies are queued next.
- Reversal-risk rules (Oct 2025): Dedicated standard adopted to manage permanence risks in storage-based activities.
- 2462 Eligible CDM Projects/POAs have applied to transition to the PACM, and a further 1079 new projects have prior notification of the consideration of the mechanism’s benefits in their inception as of October 2025
Together, these updates show that the PACM is moving from design to deployment, with analysis needed as to the extent of carryover from the Clean Development Mechanism as well as new projects that are being developed under the PACM.
For analysis on what happened on Article 6.4 at COP30, see these insights here:
article6observatory.org 