This document discusses international carbon offset markets, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and alternative standards like the Gold Standard and Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB) Standard. It provides an overview of the development of emissions trading, the Kyoto Protocol, and the CDM project cycle. It also examines criticisms of the CDM, including concerns about additionality and sustainable development objectives. Examples of CDM projects in hydro power and HFC destruction are outlined. The performance and standards of alternative offset programs like the Gold Standard and CCB Standard are briefly compared to the CDM.