What price (USD/credit) can SME enterprises expect for selling carbon credits?

The value of a carbon credit currently fluctuates significantly depending on the market, project type, geographical location, and the added value the project delivers. In Vietnam, the average price of carbon credits ranges around 5 USD/ton CO₂, with the voluntary market recording a range from approximately 3.8 to 7.45 USD/credit.43 Globally, prices can range from under 1 USD up to over 100 USD/ton CO₂, with some long-term forecasts suggesting prices could reach 238 USD by 2050, depending on increasing demand and the reliability of the measurement and verification system.44

The factors determining carbon credit prices can be categorized into six main groups. Firstly, the project type plays an essential role: nature-based solutions projects, such as forest conservation, tend to be priced higher due to their association with multiple co-benefits like biodiversity and community livelihoods. Meanwhile, technology projects like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) often face lower price ranges but have high scalability potential. Secondly, geographical location and the stringency of the local legal framework strongly influence investor expectations and market acceptance. Thirdly, co-benefits, such as contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), often help enhance the commercial value of the credits.45 Fourthly, the supply-demand relationship is the fundamental economic factor governing the entire market; increased demand for high-quality credits will lead to an upward price trend.

Furthermore, the technological sophistication also affects the price: credits generated from common, low-cost technologies often face price competition, whereas credits derived from new technologies, which involve high complexity and risk, are priced higher to offset investment costs. Finally, the distinction between compliance markets and voluntary carbon markets (VCM) also contributes to establishing a more flexible pricing mechanism within the VCM.

In Vietnam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has proposed applying a floor price of 5 USD/ton CO₂ for forest carbon credits to encourage localities to participate in the carbon market and enhance the economic value of forest resources.46 Additionally, a report from Ecosystem Marketplace (2025) indicates that the global weighted average price for voluntary carbon credits in 2021 was 4.73 USD/credit, suggesting that Vietnam is currently positioning itself at a price level comparable to the regional average.

References

43. VietNamNet. (2024). The reason Vietnam only sold forest carbon credits for 5 USD/credit, much lower than the EU. VietNamNet. https://vietnamnet.vn/cuc-truong-lam-nghiep-ly-giai-vi-sao-ban-5-usd-tin-chi-carbon-rung-2263401.html
44. CarbonCredits.com. (2024). Trust can bring carbon offset credit price to $238/ton by 2050. Carbon Credits. https://carboncredits.com/trust-can-bring-carbon-offset-credit-price-to-238-ton-by-2050/
45. Ecosystem Marketplace. (2025). SOVCM 2025 finds the voluntary carbon market in transition: Demand holding steady as turnover stabilizes. Ecosystem Marketplace. https://www.ecosystemmarketplace.com/articles/sovcm-2025-finds-the-voluntary-carbon-market-in-transition-demand-holding-steady-as-turnover-stabilizes/
46. VietNamNet. (2024). The reason Vietnam only sold forest carbon credits for 5 USD/credit, much lower than the EU. VietNamNet. https://vietnamnet.vn/cuc-truong-lam-nghiep-ly-giai-vi-sao-ban-5-usd-tin-chi-carbon-rung-2263401.html