Argentina’s third NDC opens the door to Article 6 carbon markets
By Article 6 Network
Argentina has submitted its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), well after the original deadline. For the first time, it opens a path for the country to take part in Article 6 carbon market mechanisms. This creates a route to international buyers for Argentine projects, including the Misiones jurisdictional REDD+ programme, which has been waiting for a national framework that allows authorised international sales.
Argentina submitted its NDC 3.0 to the UNFCCC on Friday, 6 November 2026. It allows the country to participate in Article 6 mechanisms, giving projects seeking international buyers a pathway to market.
The government had presented the NDC’s main elements in November 2025. It sets a net emissions target of no more than 375 MtCO₂e for both 2030 and 2035. The previous NDC had a cap of about 349 MtCO₂e for 2030. Officials argued the new target is more transparent and comprehensive because it includes previously uncounted emissions. The NDC explicitly recognises carbon markets as a tool for meeting climate goals. It also states, for the first time, Argentina’s intention to take part in Article 6 cooperation, whether bilateral, regional or multilateral. Officials stressed that without NDC 3.0 there could be no Article 6 markets for Argentina.
Argentina’s carbon market framework is still being built. In 2025, a senior official said Argentina intended to prioritise selling mitigation contribution units under Article 6.4 over internationally transferred units, in order to protect its NDC. At the provincial level, Verra certified Misiones’ jurisdictional REDD+ programme under its Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ framework in 2026. The programme covers around 1.5 million hectares of Atlantic Forest. Córdoba has launched a subnational methane crediting standard. The industry group Mesa Argentina de Carbono has argued that Article 6 credits sell for two to five times the price of current voluntary credits.
Signals to watch
- From prerequisite to framework: Submitting the NDC is a necessary first step, but Argentina still needs authorisation rules, an Article 6.2 initial report, a registry capable of tracking corresponding adjustments, and bilateral partners. Watch for these in the months after COP31.
- Misiones J-REDD+ is the test case: The Misiones programme is positioned to become a CORSIA and Article 6 supply source. Whether the national government authorises its units, and how it shares corresponding adjustments between national and provincial levels, will set the precedent for other provinces.
- Mitigation contribution units versus ITMOs: Argentina’s earlier preference for non-authorised mitigation contribution units suggests a cautious approach to exporting mitigation. Developers should watch whether the final framework allows authorised ITMOs for CORSIA and NDC buyers, or limits most supply to non-adjusted units, which would sell for less.
- Target design matters for exports: Because the NDC caps emissions at 375 MtCO₂e rather than setting a deeper reduction, how much mitigation Argentina can export without risking its own target will be closely watched by buyers and integrity analysts.
- A crowded Latin American field: Chile, Peru, Paraguay and Panama are already further ahead in Article 6 readiness. Argentina’s large forestry and agricultural potential could attract buyers, but it is entering the market late and will need to move quickly to compete.
Sources:
- Government of Argentina – Subsecretaría de Ambiente presents NDC 3.0
- Infobae – Argentina recognises carbon markets as a tool for its climate goals
- El Economista – Carbon markets in Argentina: turning potential into investment
- Agrolatam – Argentina carbon market and the agriculture sector
- Columbia CGEP – Argentina project-based carbon credit framework
- Carbon Pulse – Argentina to prioritise MCUs over international A6 trading
