Digital MRV in ASEAN: Building the Trust Infrastructure for Carbon Markets

Digital MRV provides the trust infrastructure for high-integrity carbon markets in ASEAN. As carbon pricing, carbon crediting, Article 6 co-operation, and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)-related reporting expand, the value of carbon prices and credits increasingly depends on the integrity of the underlying data chain. A credible system measures emissions using approved methodologies, captures source-level evidence, applies structured reporting workflows, enables independent verification, and records outcomes in accountable registries. This paper sets out a practical framework for building that infrastructure. It focuses on the data models, identifiers, validation rules, verification workflows, registry interfaces, and interoperability standards needed to make emissions information legally, fiscally, and commercially usable. The central policy message is that ASEAN carbon market instruments should be scaled on the basis of MRV systems that are standardised, digitised, integrated, and interoperable from the outset.