Special Column

Carbon Trading Prices

Indicative carbon allowance prices across the world's major emissions trading systems. Prices are updated periodically and are for informational purposes only.

Last updated: 2026-05-21 · Prices are indicative; verify with official sources before trading.

Carbon markets are dynamic and prices can be highly volatile. The prices shown here are indicative snapshots. For trading purposes, use official exchange data from ICE, EEX, CME, or the relevant national exchange. USD conversions use approximate exchange rates.

European Union
EU ETS
EUR 68.4
≈ USD 74.2
-1.2% today
Vol: 8.2M tCO₂
United Kingdom
UK ETS
GBP 43.8
≈ USD 55.6
+0.3% today
Vol: 1.1M tCO₂
California + Quebec
California Cap-and-Trade
USD 34.1
≈ USD 34.1
+0.1% today
Vol: 0.4M tCO₂
China
China ETS
CNY 102
≈ USD 14.1
+1.4% today
Vol: 12M tCO₂
South Korea
Korea K-ETS
KRW 8,850
≈ USD 6.4
-0.8% today
Vol: 0.3M tCO₂
New Zealand
New Zealand ETS
NZD 62.5
≈ USD 37.8
+0.6% today
Vol: 0.2M tCO₂
Switzerland
Switzerland ETS
CHF 64.2
≈ USD 72.8
-0.5% today
Vol: 0.05M tCO₂
Australia
Australia Safeguard
AUD 33.5
≈ USD 21.8
+0.2% today
Vol: 0.15M tCO₂

Detailed Market Data

MarketPriceUSD equiv.1d %1w %1m %52w High52w Low
EU ETS
European Union
EUR 68.4$74.2-1.2%+2.8%-5.4%EUR 98.5EUR 52.1
UK ETS
United Kingdom
GBP 43.8$55.6+0.3%-1.5%+3.2%GBP 68.2GBP 34.5
California Cap-and-Trade
California + Quebec
USD 34.1$34.1+0.1%+0.5%+1.8%USD 40.8USD 29.3
China ETS
China
CNY 102$14.1+1.4%+3.2%+8.5%CNY 107.5CNY 55.2
Korea K-ETS
South Korea
KRW 8,850$6.4-0.8%-2.1%-4.3%KRW 15,600KRW 7,200
New Zealand ETS
New Zealand
NZD 62.5$37.8+0.6%+1.2%-2.1%NZD 75.3NZD 50.1
Switzerland ETS
Switzerland
CHF 64.2$72.8-0.5%+2.1%-3.8%CHF 92.4CHF 55.7
Australia Safeguard
Australia
AUD 33.5$21.8+0.2%-0.8%+2.4%AUD 38.2AUD 26.4

52-Week Price Range (USD equivalent)

EU ETS$56.5 – $106.9
52w LowCurrent: $74.252w High
UK ETS$43.8 – $86.6
52w LowCurrent: $55.652w High
California Cap-and-Trade$29.3 – $40.8
52w LowCurrent: $34.152w High
China ETS$7.6 – $14.9
52w LowCurrent: $14.152w High
Korea K-ETS$5.2 – $11.3
52w LowCurrent: $6.452w High
New Zealand ETS$30.3 – $45.5
52w LowCurrent: $37.852w High
Switzerland ETS$63.2 – $104.8
52w LowCurrent: $72.852w High
Australia Safeguard$17.2 – $24.9
52w LowCurrent: $21.852w High

ETS System Profiles

ETS🌍 European Union · since 2005

EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)

The world's largest and oldest carbon market. Covers power generation, heavy industry, and aviation across 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Phase 4 (2021–2030) tightens the cap 4.3% annually. A new ETS2 covering buildings and road transport launches in 2027.

largest marketpowerindustryaviationETS2
ETS🌍 China · since 2021

China National ETS

The world's largest carbon market by volume of emissions covered (~5 billion tCO₂/year), currently covering the power sector only. Intensity-based benchmarking rather than absolute caps. Will expand to 8 sectors including steel and cement by 2025.

largest by volumepower sectorintensity-basedexpanding
ETS🌍 United States · since 2013

California Cap-and-Trade Program

Covers large industrial facilities, electricity generators, and transportation fuels. Linked with Quebec since 2014. Quarterly auctions set a price floor (currently ~$19.70). Extended through 2030.

linkedQuebectransport fuelshigh coverage
ETS🌍 United Kingdom · since 2021

UK Emissions Trading Scheme

Launched after Brexit to replace UK participation in EU ETS. Covers power generation, heavy industry, and aviation. The government has adopted a cap consistent with net zero by 2050.

post-Brexitpowerindustryaviation
ETS🌍 South Korea · since 2015

Korea Emissions Trading Scheme (K-ETS)

Covers 685 companies across power, industry, buildings, transport, waste, and aviation — one of the broadest sector coverages globally. Phase 3 (2021–2025) introduced auctioning.

broad coverageauctioningphase 3
ETS🌍 New Zealand · since 2008

New Zealand ETS (NZ ETS)

Covers energy, industry, waste, and uniquely includes forestry and agriculture. Participants can use NZUs (New Zealand Units). Fixed price options set upper bounds.

forestryagricultureunique coverage
ETS🌍 Australia · since 2023

Australia Safeguard Mechanism

Reformed in 2023, requires ~215 largest industrial facilities to reduce emissions in line with Australia's net zero by 2050 trajectory. Facilities can surrender ACCUs or buy Safeguard Mechanism Credits.

reformed 2023industryACCUs
ETS🌍 Switzerland · since 2008

Switzerland ETS

Covers stationary installations in energy-intensive industries. Linked with EU ETS since 2020, making it the first non-EU/EEA country to link with the EU carbon market.

linked with EU ETSindustryenergy-intensive
ETS🌍 Kazakhstan · since 2013

Kazakhstan ETS

Covers electricity generation, oil & gas, mining, chemicals, and metals. One of the few ETS systems in Central Asia.

Central Asiaenergyminingoil & gas
ETS🌍 Mexico · since 2020

Mexico ETS (Pilot Phase)

A simulation pilot ETS covering energy and industry emitting ≥100,000 tCO₂/year. Transitioning to a mandatory operational phase. Simulated trading allows companies to prepare.

pilot phaseLatin Americaenergyindustry