The prices of credits are primarily driven by the levels of supply and demand in the markets. Due to the differences in the supply and demand in different countries, the prices of the credits fluctuate. There are two types of credits:

Voluntary emissions reduction (VER)
A carbon offset that is exchanged in the over-the-counter or voluntary market for credits.

Certified emissions reduction (CER)
Emission units (or credits) created through a regulatory framework with the purpose of offsetting a project’s emissions. The main difference between the two is that there is a third-party certifying body that regulates the CER as opposed to the VER.

Although carbon credits are beneficial to society, it is not easy for an average investor to start using them as investment vehicles. The certified emissions reductions (CERs) are the only product that can be used as investments in the credits. However, CERs are sold by special carbon funds established by large financial institutions. The carbon funds provide small investors with the opportunity to enter the market.

There are special exchanges that specialize in the trading of the credits, including the European Climate Exchange, the NASDAQ OMX Commodities Europe exchange, and the European Energy Exchange.