The Architecture of Trust — Mark Kenber on VCMI, Scope 3 & the Future of Carbon Markets

<p>One of the architects of the modern verified carbon market joins us on This Week in Carbon.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, Ed Smith and Rene Velasquez sit down with Mark Kenber — Executive Director of VCMI, former CEO of The Climate Group, founder of what became the Voluntary Carbon Standard (now Verra), and current ICVCM board member.</p><p><br></p><p>This is a deep dive into the institutional history, integrity debates, and future direction of carbon markets.</p><p><br></p><p>We explore:<br>• How the VCS was originally built<br>• Why integrity debates keep resurfacing in the VCM<br>• The tension between perfection and participation<br>• Greenwashing vs “green hushing”<br>• The Scope 3 Action Code controversy<br>• CCP-labelled credits and Article 6.4<br>• The convergence of voluntary and compliance carbon markets<br>• Why governments are becoming increasingly central to market development</p><p><br></p><p>Mark also shares his perspective on why carbon credits remain essential for climate finance — particularly in emerging markets — and why waiting for perfect solutions risks delaying real climate action.</p><p><br></p><p>A substantive and wide-ranging conversation on trust, policy, markets, and the future architecture of climate finance.</p>