: Large energy companies use credits to offer "carbon-neutral" fuels and address operational emissions. Shell was the largest single retirer of credits in 2024 and 2025, neutralizing nearly 10 million tonnes in 2025 alone.
: Despite having lower direct emissions, financial institutions and service firms are intensive users of voluntary offsets to boost environmental claims and attract ESG-conscious investors. Carbon credits: A crucial tool for climate action - Agreena who buys carbon credits
: Tech giants like Google , Microsoft, and Meta are massive buyers. Microsoft, in particular, has been a market leader, accounting for roughly 60% of nature-based carbon removal offtakes in 2025. : Large energy companies use credits to offer
: Manufacturers like Volkswagen and partners of Tesla (such as Stellantis, Ford, and Toyota) purchase credits to meet strict regulatory emission targets and avoid fines. Carbon credits: A crucial tool for climate action
Major corporations are the primary drivers of demand, particularly those with "hard-to-abate" emissions—sectors where complete decarbonization is currently technologically or economically unfeasible.
The purchase of carbon credits is driven by two distinct market environments: the , where participation is legally mandated by governments to meet emission caps, and the Voluntary Market , where companies and individuals buy credits to satisfy sustainability goals. 1. Corporate Buyers by Industry