As the global community intensifies efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the need for credible and transparent carbon markets has never been greater. This message was strongly echoed on 29 January 2026, when the Accelerating Sustainable & Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) programme under COMESA hosted a high level webinar on International Carbon Standards and their Role in Shaping Global Climate Action.
The webinar held in collaboration with the World Bank and the Global Carbon Council brought together over 60 government representatives, technical experts and project implementers from ASCENT wave one countries.
The webinar covered practical insights on elaboration of New Carbon Standards for energy access, highlighted steps on how to help generate high quality carbon credits and demystified new carbon standards on energy access and clarified its components. The session also provided an update on the timeline on the implementation of Carbon standard and its link to Digital MRV tools.
In his remarks, ASCENT Project Coordinator, Dr. Malama Chileshe, underscored the central role of internationally recognized carbon standards in ensuring environmental integrity and unlocking climate finance for Africa.
“Our strategic outcome is clear,” Dr. Chileshe stated. “By mastering international carbon standards, ASCENT countries will be better positioned to leverage carbon markets, accelerate clean energy deployment and contribute meaningfully to global climate objectives.”
He emphasized that as the world accelerates its shift toward a low carbon future, internationally recognized carbon standards remain essential for ensuring credibility and building trust in carbon markets.
According to Dr. Chileshe, the transparency and integrity embedded in these standards are essential for attracting sustainable investment and guaranteeing that climate finance delivers genuine impact especially for developing regions such as Eastern and Southern Africa.
Aligning national and regional energy projects with global methodologies, he noted, positions African countries to access global carbon finance with confidence, strengthen investor trust in renewable energy and clean cooking initiatives as well as ensuring environmental integrity while advancing national climate commitments.
World Bank Energy and Carbon expert Martina Bosi highlighted the development of a new carbon standard for energy access, which aims to enhance transparency and credibility in carbon markets.
She underscored the importance of strong foundational knowledge on carbon standards, noting that clear policies and aligned practices are critical for credible carbon market activities under the ASCENT project.
Ms. Bosi reiterated the importance of developing a solid understanding of carbon standards, particularly the underlying concepts, key terminologies, and relevant policy frameworks during the implementation of the ASCENT project.
The ASCENT programme continues to champion sustainable energy transformation across the COMESA region, with carbon market readiness emerging as a central pillar in the journey toward a climate resilient future.