The concept of carbon credit originated from which one of the following ?

The carbon credit concept arose from the Kyoto Protocol framework established in 1997. Authoritative textbook material explicitly states that the concept of carbon credit was an outcome of the Kyoto Protocol and describes how entities earning emission reductions could generate credits under that regime [1]. The Protocol institutionalized market-based mechanisms — notably the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) — to produce tradable certified emission reductions (carbon credits), allowing Annex I parties to meet commitments via projects in developing countries [2]. Thus, the origin and operationalization of carbon credits are rooted in the Kyoto Protocol and its CDM provisions, rather than earlier or unrelated agreements like the Montreal Protocol or later G8 discussions.

Sources

1. [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > carBon crEdIt. > p. 55
2. [2] https://offsetguide.org/what-are-carbon-crediting-programs/