CDOP is developing an open data protocol to increase transparency, consistency, and interoperability in carbon markets, enabling the scale needed to meet global climate targets. 

The Carbon Data Open Protocol (CDOP) is a cross industry, multi-stakeholder collaboration designed to standardize data describing carbon crediting projects and carbon credits across markets, geographies, and activity types. 

CDOP is supported by 75 leading organizations from the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. It draws on the work of complementary initiatives, including the Climate Action Data Trust (CAD Trust), the ICVCM's Continuous Improvement Work Program, the World Bank's Carbon Market Infrastructure Working Group (CMIWG), and others, reflecting a core principle of avoiding duplication and building off the great work already made by other market participants. 

CDOP is committed to maximizing alignment with emerging frameworks and to developing a protocol that is maintained as a public good. 

With the September 2026 launch of Version 2.0, CDOP's schema now spans 11 data categories — extending beyond V1.0's pre-issuance foundations into crediting period, estimations and forecasts, co-benefits, durability and permanence, project finance, and more. Version 2.0 also introduces a standardized entity model, a forward-compatible structure, and an auditable status history in place of a single overwritable status field.