Point Carbon

Surplus of over 16 billion tonnes of CO2 in first two Kyoto periods puts carbon targets at risk

Rise in offsetting takes volumes purchased to $576bn and helps avoid downward price trend seen in EU markets

Credits derived from HFC and adipic acid projects made up 84 per cent of all CERs handed in last year

Cap-and-trade scheme will help country to meet pledge of cutting emissions 30 per cent by 2020

Western Climate Initiative market expected to overtake established Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, doubling volumes traded

Analyst predicts average EU allowance price in third phase of EU's Emissions Trading Scheme will be €12 per tonne

More than 175 corporations sign new statement demanding global emissions deal to limit temperature rise and build green economy

Industry may fork out up to €10.4bn by 2020 under scheme to charge carriers per tonne of CO2 for flights in and out of Europe

Volumes fall, but higher price of credits means market value rises five per cent in first half of 2011

Carbon allowance trading hits all-time high in June as analysts downgrade predicted average ETS Phase 3 price to €22 per tonne