An unprecedented freeze in United Nations carbon trading is fanning speculation the five-year-old market designed to combat greenhouse-gas emissions in poor countries is in danger of becoming superfluous.

CER demand may recover as countries step up climate-friendly policies, according to Daniel Rossetto, the London-based managing director of Climate Mundial Ltd., an emissions-markets adviser. Prices have already more than doubled since sliding to a record low of 20 cents a ton on April 14. “These offset credits are going to be essential tender for rich nations” as they tighten emission-reduction targets, Rossetto said by e-mail yesterday.

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