World Bank released State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2026

Carbon pricing is expanding and strengthening worldwide. Here are the most interesting findings from this year's report:

The direct carbon price today covers 29% of global emissions across 87 implemented policies. The share of emissions covered by emissions trading systems (ETS) has tripled since 2016 – from 8% to over 24%.

New ETS have been launched by India, Japan, and Vietnam; carbon taxes have been introduced by Mauritania and Serbia. Brazil and Turkey are next in line.

The average carbon price has doubled over the decade from $10 to ~$21 per tCO₂e. Total government revenues in 2025 reached $107 billion – compared with just under $30 billion in 2016.

Regionally, the highest average prices are held by Europe and Central Asia ($68), North America ($43) and East Asia and the Pacific ($19).

Credit issuances rose year‑on‑year by 8% to 433 million tCO₂e – still 20% less than the record year 2022, but 80% more than ten years ago. Government crediting mechanisms increased from 24 to 34 and their issuances rose by almost 40%.

Credits approved for CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) traded at $15–22 per tCO₂e with a premium of $1.50–6 compared to non‑approved credits.

The EU CBAM Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism covers less than 0.5% of global emissions, but its introduction has significantly accelerated interest from other countries in their own carbon pricing and border mechanisms.

Japan directs revenues from the new GX-ETS into a national fund for energy transformation – an interesting model for linking carbon pricing with industrial policy.

Carbon pricing is becoming mainstream. Companies' need for strategic preparation is growing – not only in the EU but globally.

Source: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/64c7e4b9-bdd4-4761-9f3f-35fcccb4b7ef