CGIAR@COP30: Article 6.8 – Non-Market Approaches Negotiation Updates

While carbon markets often steal the limelight, COP30 is also turning attention to Article 6.8 of the Paris Agreement, which deals with Non-Market Approaches (NMAs) to climate action. Simply put, Article 6.8 encourages countries to cooperate on climate efforts without exchanging carbon credits or finance in a market setting. Examples of NMAs could include: sharing technology and expertise, forming partnerships to build renewable energy or climate-resilient agriculture, and policy coordination like aligning carbon taxes – all done in a voluntary, cooperative spirit rather than for tradable units. The UNFCCC has set up a “Glasgow Committee on Non-Market Approaches” and an NMA work programme to flesh out how this cooperation works in practice. By COP29 in Baku, negotiations on the initial work programme concluded with some progress – final text and conclusions were adopted, marking a step forward. However, one key piece of the NMA framework is the UNFCCC NMA Platform – a web-based portal where countries can showcase and seek cooperation on NMA initiatives (like a database of projects and offers/needs for support). This platform’s effectiveness has been under scrutiny. As of SB62 (mid-2025), a lot of talk has been on how to enhance this platform and make NMAs more than just feel-good concepts. COP30 is expected to advance a new phase for Article 6.8, focusing on moving from design to implementation: how can we actually facilitate and scale up these collaborative actions globally?

 In 2024, CGIAR actively contributed two submissions in this track, emphasizing the importance for stronger capacity-building and clearer guidelines for National Focal Points (NFPs), essential actors coordinating inclusive, sustainable NMAs aligned with national priorities.

At COP29, Parties acknowledged initial challenges, including limited platform participation (only one NMA submitted), but anticipated increased future engagement through enhanced stakeholder outreach and a practical, learning-by-doing approach. Spin-off groups were proposed for targeted thematic discussions, and Parties were encouraged to explore barriers and solutions to NMA implementation ahead of SB62.

CGIAR, through the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, has actively engaged as a support provider, recently submitting detailed recommendations on improving the functionality of the NMA Platform. These recommendations call for clearer guidance on how providers can engage beyond initial registration, emphasizing the need for structured matchmaking between country needs and available expertise, regular updates on support services, and accessible channels for technical assistance.

What to Watch at COP30

In Belém, Parties are expected to outline the next phase of the Article 6.8 work programme now that the initial framework is set. CGIAR is particularly watching for decisions on governance and enhancement of the NMA Platform. Will COP30 agree to loosen the strict rules and encourage more submissions from a wider range of actors? Observers like CGIAR hope so, because the current low usage of the platform partly stems from its cumbersome requirements. A positive sign would be instructions to the Glasgow Committee to, say, allow well-defined initiatives led by research organizations or NGOs (with a supporting letter from a Party) to be listed. Additionally, the technical discussion aspect: COP30 may set themes for future NMA workshops or dialogues (the work programme includes regular exchanges). If agriculture, food security, or nature-based solutions are chosen as focus areas for 2026 discussions, that would be a win for integrating those into Article 6.8. CGIAR also looks for coherence: how Article 6.8 dovetails with Article 6.2 (carbon trading) and 6.4 (CDM successor). There’s recognition that not everything can or should be turned into a carbon credit – some things are better done cooperatively without markets.

COP30 Day 3 | November 12 2025

The contact group on Article 6.8 discussed next steps for advancing the work programme on non-market approaches (NMAs), with the Co-Chair inviting Parties to form thematic spin-off groups to identify key elements for the first draft conclusions. AILAC proposed work on encouraging new NMA submissions, AOSIS suggested focusing on adaptation, resilience and ecosystem-based finance, and CfRN/Malaysia advocated enabling single-Party NMAs that could attract external support. The Secretariat presented updates on the NMA platform, including the three current submissions from Chile, Japan and Uganda, and highlighted progress on national focal points, support providers, webinars and regional workshops. Parties stressed the need for more capacity building, simpler reporting, knowledge sharing, and building on Bonn outcomes, while the EU emphasized the role of NMAs in NDC implementation and the importance of transparency and mutual learning. The Secretariat will prepare the first iteration of draft conclusions based on written inputs and the day’s discussions.

COP30 Day 4 | November 13 2025

Parties discussed elements for the upcoming review of the Article 6.8 NMA work programme. Some Parties proposed surveying national focal points on their experience with the NMA Platform and conducting qualitative and quantitative assessments of implementation. Other Parties highlighted slow progress in registering NMAs and called for evaluating and improving the platform’s functionality. The EU stressed that the review text should not include new content, while the LMDCs argued for including measures to strengthen the programme’s effectiveness. The co-facilitators will prepare draft decision text.

COP30 Week 1 Summary

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement deals with how countries cooperate on climate action. While 6.2 and 6.4 cover carbon markets and trading, Article 6.8 focuses on “non-market approaches” (NMAs) essentially collaboration that doesn’t involve carbon credits or payments. This could include things like sharing technologies, policy partnerships, or joint adaptation projects. It’s a less flashy but important space for innovation, especially for sectors like agriculture where market mechanisms may not easily apply. 

In Week 1, negotiators discussed how to review and strengthen the Article 6.8 framework, as a formal review is due in 2026 (SBSTA 64). There was a general recognition that the work programme including its online platform for countries to showcase cooperative initiatives – needs to better serve parties. Ideas put forward included: conducting a survey of national focal points on how useful the platform has been, doing qualitative and quantitative assessments of NMAs implemented so far, and finding ways to increase the registration of new NMAs (since uptake has been slower than hoped). Some parties stressed the need for practical improvements so that more countries can benefit from non-market collaborations – for example, providing technical support or matchmaking for projects in areas like climate-smart agriculture or ecosystem restoration. 

However, differences emerged on how extensive the changes should be. Some parties favored keeping the text streamlined, cautioning against adding too many new mandates or reports in the next phase. Many other developing countries pressed for more ambitious enhancements: they want the 6.8 platform and work programme to enable “more and better supported” climate initiatives outside markets. As one observer noted, it’s about making this a real catalyst for action, not just a talk shop. 

The conclusions were adopted without major contention. For CGIAR, that’s encouraging: NMAs offer pathways to scale up knowledge exchange, capacity building, and climate finance beyond carbon markets. CGIAR’s own initiatives like ecosystem restoration in Colombia show what’s possible. As the review nears, we’ll continue showcasing how agrifood systems benefit from cooperative, non-market climate solutions. 

COP30 Day 7| November 17, 2025

 The meeting started with the Co facilitator asking parties to go through the first iteration of draft text published on Friday and add any comments or requests for edits. LMDC and the Arab group underline the need for further NMAs, and are supportive of adding to the schedule of the work program for next year an invitation for a specific topic: “presentations on potential, NMAs to address the adverse impact of climate change related trade restrictive unilateral measures during the in-session workshop and the next GCNMA meeting”. The UK, the European Union and AILAC, although underlining the lack of further NMAs in the platform are opposed to the inclusion of this specific topic in the draft. AILAC, AOSIS are very supportive of embedding sub-categories within the platform to allow countries to filter and also to upload more specific NMAs. CfRN Parties requested SBSTA to include a recommendation to the CMA need to conclude this about the need of concluding this agenda item 15C on Article 6.8 by COP 31 – SBSTA 65. Co facilitators will draft a new text based on written inputs and in-room comments and meet again on Tuesday for next 2nd iteration text and move closer to consensus. 

COP30 Week 2 Summary

Parties and stakeholders were satisfied about the text and in general in the negotiation sessions there was a great spirit of collaboration and agreement. The co-facilitator was very enthusiastic and moved by this, and happily stated that: 
The final draft text has reached consensus and the Informal consultation on CMA 15 (c) work programme under the framework for non-market approaches referred to in article 6, paragraph 8, of the Paris agreement -is now closed. The text was sent to the Presidency and then approved by CMA.

Additionally, other good news from Article 6.8, is that it made it into the Mitigation Work Programme text, requesting the SBSTA to add new functionalities to the Non-Market Approaches (NMA) Platform. These upgrades should allow Parties, through their national focal points, to record NMA-related projects and to connect the NMA Platform with other national or international platforms upon request.