The users of carbon prices. There are many users of carbon prices. They include companies that face the need to buy carbon emissions permits now or in the future and incorporate the pricing in their investment project appraisals and financial budgeting in general. Other users are investment analysts. Also, governments and financial institutions feature among the users.

Companies will be using a so-called internal or shadow price on carbon that creates a theoretical or assumed cost per ton of carbon emissions. They will use it to better understand the potential impact of external carbon pricing on the profitability of a project, an investment, or a new business model. It helps companies understand and capture risks. Profit and loss forecasts that incorporate the cost of emissions, help companies uncover inefficiencies. It also helps incentivize innovation within departments to reduce carbon emissions. The other group of users are research analysts whose aim is to establish a view on the business, typically to value the company's shares or assess credit risk. Analysts will use carbon prices in their forecasting models and sensitivity analysis work. Thirdly, governments use internal carbon pricing as a tool for their procurement process, project appraisals, and policy design in relation to climate change impacts.