The World Bank has been active in the carbon market since 2000, first as a market facilitator and catalyst, and second as a buyer (on behalf of its carbon fund participants) of emission reductions from project-based transactions. As trustee of carbon funds with a current value of around $1.9 billion (comprising 13 sovereign and over 60 private-sector buyers), the Bank is one of the few purchasers of emission reductions from developing countries beyond 2012. As Trustee for these Funds the World Bank has purchased 24% of emission reductions in the global carbon market since 2003.

The Bank has a track record of supporting project developers to generate Kyoto-compliant certified emission reduction assets including through the development of new methodologies and innovative approaches, to tap new and additional sources of funds from carbon trade, and help build credibility in the early stages of market entry. Additionally the Bank brings knowledge of carbon finance, and emerging national, regional, and international markets.