COP30 in Belém marked a significant point for carbon credit policy, with Brazil prioritising initiatives on carbon pricing and consolidating Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The EU announced that up to 5% of its 2040 climate target can be met through high-quality foreign carbon credits, signaling a major shift in global carbon pricing diplomacy. Despite positive market signals and developments, however, carbon credit markets remain fragmented and limited in volume. Emerging initiatives, such as the Open Coalition on Compliance Carbon Markets and the Article 6 Ambition Alliance, aim to enhance integrity and interoperability amid the expansion of compliance schemes and the development of Article 6. The EU now has a unique opportunity to shape standards and drive demand for high-integrity climate action.