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TOP STORY
Republican senators seek to block US CFTC oversight of voluntary carbon market
A US Republican senator has introduced a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) final guidance on the voluntary carbon market.
ASIA PACIFIC
Philippines lawmakers approve carbon trading bill
The Philippines House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill that would set up a domestic emissions trading scheme with offset provisions as well as task the government with establishing a framework for trading carbon credits under the Paris Agreement.
Thai bourse partners with global exchange to develop carbon market infrastructure
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has entered into an agreement with an international exchange operator to advance the country’s carbon market development, the partners announced Tuesday.
Australian regulator issues first Safeguard Mechanism Credits
Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator has issued the first Safeguard Mechanism Credits (SMCs), it announced Tuesday.
Australian farmers’ group calls to retain seven ACCU methodologies due for sunset
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) would like to see retained seven of the 19 Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) methodologies that are due to be phased out, it said in a submission to the government.
Australian port association releases first ever emissions guidelines for tricky sector
Ports Australia has released reporting guidelines for ports covering Scopes 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions, a first of its kind in the country.
Japan is backing ‘false solutions’ to decarbonise Indonesia’s coal plants, says NGO
The Japanese government’s efforts to modernise and reduce emissions at one of Indonesia’s largest coal-fired power plants could undermine carbon reduction goals, a green group has claimed.
S. Korean shipbuilder to develop ammonia gas turbine, targets carbon-free shipping
A shipbuilding major in South Korea has secured partnerships to develop what it claims to be the world’s first carbon-free propulsion system with the use of ammonia gas turbines.
EMEA
Kenya draft carbon regulation to impose trading cap, could withhold ITMOs
Kenyan draft carbon regulations would establish a ‘carbon budget for trading’ for each UN target-setting period and empower the government to withhold Paris Article 6 ITMO credits in the course of project authorisation, among other provisions.
Norway must finalise emissions accounting with EU before sealing Article 6 carbon trade deals
Norway is waiting to finalise important technical elements of its cooperation with the EU on emissions accounting and climate policy before advancing any deals for international carbon trade under the Paris Agreement, it confirmed in a transparency report published on Tuesday.
EU ban on fossil fuels feasible, says green group
The European Union should impose a ban on new fossil fuel projects in what would be a “perfectly feasible” policy move, according to environmentalists.
Fossil gas boilers set to dominate well into the 2030s in Europe, think tank warns
Without further incentives, a cumulative 50 million extra boilers running on fossil fuels could be sold across Europe by 2040, setting the EU off track from its decarbonisation targets, researchers warned on Wednesday.
“Urgent change in gear” needed for EU’s cleantech sector, industry says
“An urgent change in gear” is needed to ensure the EU’s cleantech sector grows at the same time as the bloc decarbonises, a coalition of industry and think tanks said on Wednesday ahead of the European Commission’s much-awaited Clean Industrial Deal initiative.
EU official lifts the veil on future ‘Circular Economy Act’ due in 2026
The European Commission is unlikely to include new resource efficiency targets in its new Circular Economy Act, due in the fourth quarter of 2026, as it contemplates shifting to product regulation rather than setting objectives for EU member states.
LNG ships drive methane higher, as CO2 emissions also rise -EU agencies
Some progress has been made but reducing CO2 remains a challenge for European shipping, while the increased use of LNG-fueled vessels has led sectoral methane emissions to at least double in the past five years, a joint environmental study by two EU agencies found on Tuesday.
Euro Markets: Carbon ends little changed, caught between falling gas and recovering equities
European carbon prices ended Tuesday little changed after Monday’s sharp loss, despite trading in a €2.40 range over the course of the day, as natural gas prices joined the sell-off after China announced tariffs on US LNG cargoes, while European equities recovered early losses triggered by worries over the impact of likely tariffs implemented by Washington.
AMERICAS
“Big deal” as scientists find most US methane emissions go undetected
A total 70% of methane emissions from US onshore oil and gas activities comes from smaller, dispersed sources, according to new scientific research published on Tuesday, which calls into question Europe’s growing reliance on imported American LNG.
Lego partners with investor on US forest carbon project
Toy producer Lego Group will collaborate with a carbon markets investor on a reforestation project in the US to remove over 500,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, the company announced on Tuesday.
US transportation agency drops defense of Biden-era highway emissions rule
A US appeals court issued a ruling Monday dismissing a case on a highway emissions reductions rule from former President Joe Biden after the new Department of Transportation (DOT) dropped its legal defense of the mandate.
Enhanced rock weathering falls short on CO2 storage -study initial results
Enhanced rock weathering tests haven’t yet resulted in carbon sequestration on Mid-Atlantic, US farmland, results from a preliminary study from the area have claimed.
New Mexico Dems seek to close biogas “loophole” in clean fuels standard
A new state Senate bill aims to prevent biogas from being assigned a negative carbon intensity (CI) score in the state’s nascent clean fuels standard.
BRIEFING: California DAC firms challenged by regulatory uncertainty, high energy costs
High energy prices, regulatory uncertainty, and a lack of offtakers are among the several challenges direct air capture (DAC) firms are facing when considering project development in California.
Alberta January TIER spot price continues year-long weakening trend despite no new supply
The Alberta Technology Innovation and Emission Reduction (TIER) programme’s spot price fell in the first month of 2025, with no new offsets or EPCs serialised, according to a report published Monday.
Raise carbon taxes, reform fossil fuel subsidies to meet LATAM and Caribbean climate targets -UN report
Latin American and Caribbean countries would see increased revenues from hiking carbon taxes and reforming fossil fuel subsidies – equipping the region with the finance needed to deliver on Paris Agreement commitments, according to a report by a UN commission.
Carbon crediting, regulatory support can boost LATAM aviation decarbonisation amid SAF shortage -report
Increasing homegrown carbon credit supply and instituting comprehensive regulatory frameworks can help airlines in Latin American and the Caribbean meet compliance requirements under the UN’s CORSIA aviation offsetting scheme amid a shortage of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), according to a report published last week.
VOLUNTARY
VCM MONTHLY DATA: Millions of Shell retirements fail to stop January slump
Oil major Shell retired some 4.2 million carbon credits in January across the major registries – but even with that contribution, total retirements for the month fell year-on-year.
Carbon financier cuts jobs, seeks investment amid cash flow squeeze
A large carbon financier is cutting jobs and seeking fresh investment amid a cash flow squeeze, the company said Tuesday.
Former Shell trader launches carbon removal firm
A former Shell trader has left the oil major to establish his own company, which uses agricultural waste to remove carbon emissions.
NOAA, researchers seek feedback on ocean-based CDR data protocols
A group of research organisations is seeking feedback on an ocean alkalinity protocol that aims to set best practises for data management.
BIODIVERSITY (FREE TO READ)
All our nature and biodiversity articles remain free to read (no subscription required). However, we now require that all readers have a Carbon Pulse login to access this content in full. To get a login, sign up for a free trial of our news. If you’ve already had a trial, then you already have a login.
BRIEFING: Australia’s Nature Repair Market gearing up, but what comes next?
Australia’s pioneering Nature Repair Market (NRM) is set to open in early 2025, but the scheme is unlikely to see a rush of participants, experts say.
UK’s new agri-environment schemes could benefit farming, but most farmers still not confident -report
The UK’s new agri-environment schemes and England’s biodiversity net gain (BNG) policy could make the average farmer better off, but the majority of farmers are still not confident they will benefit from changes, a new report has found.
Financial alliance pauses nature transition work
The influential Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) is pausing its work on nature in net-zero transition planning to focus on fundraising, it has said.
Biodiversity Pulse: Tuesday February 4, 2025
A twice-weekly summary of our biodiversity news plus bite-sized updates from around the world. All articles in this edition are free to read (no subscription required).
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EVENTS
India Climate Week – Feb. 3-7, New Delhi – Carbon Markets Association of India (CMAI) is launching India Climate Week at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi. This event will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and climate action advocates to discuss carbon markets, green technologies, and India’s Net Zero path. Highlights include panel discussions on emerging climate trends, a two-day certification workshop on carbon markets by Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), the launch of India SAF and EPR Alliance, and field visits to CBG and Article 6 technologies. The event will feature Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road, Transport and Highways, and Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, Hon’ble Union Minister of Power. Register here.
Carbon Forward Asia – Mar. 4-5, Singapore – Our third annual Asian conference will once again be held in Singapore. Like at our past events, we’re excited to bring together experts from Asia Pacific to talk ASEAN markets, regional opportunities, developments in local and global carbon pricing, and all the topics you need to hear about across a stimulating two days. Register here
North American Carbon World (NACW) – Mar. 25-27, Los Angeles – The annual NACW conference addresses the most pressing issues in climate policy and carbon markets to the largest gathering of climate professionals in North America. NACW 2025 will dive into major new policies and developments that will shape and scale carbon markets and climate solutions with integrity and ambition. In addition to outstanding speakers, discussions, and insights, NACW provides premier networking opportunities with an active and engaged audience of carbon professionals. Join us for the content, community, and connections for successfully navigating the low-carbon landscape and advancing market-based climate solu
tions. www.nacwconference.com
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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
INTERNATIONAL
Take note – A UN expert panel helping to develop methodologies under Article 6.4 has published a report from its first meeting in 2025, submitting a new draft leakage standard for public consultation. The Methodology Expert Panel (MEP) also advanced work on an investment analysis tool and work on the CDM methodologies transition. The panel has also now recommended the draft additionality standard and draft baseline standard for consideration by the Supervisory Body for the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM), which meets next week. Carbon Pulse will preview the meeting later this week.
EMEA
Join the queue – Lengthy wait times for transformers and other electrical equipment risk causing the UK to miss its ambitious goal to decarbonise the power grid by 2030, the FT reports. Supply chain delays are growing as international manufacturers face rising demand from countries trying to install new wind farms, solar panels, and batteries to meet their decarbonisation goals. There is a risk that supply chains ‘overheat’ – pushing up energy costs for businesses and households, said the UK’s National Energy System Operator (NESO). Material constraints in particular exist for transformers and HVDC (high-voltage, direct current) converters. Lead times for such equipment have doubled, or in some cases tripled, over the past decade, while global transformer prices have risen 40-60% over the past three years. Without ramping up capacity, these delays risk becoming a bottleneck for the energy transition as a whole, experts have said.
Heating contention – Ahead of Germany’s snap elections, economy minister Robert Habeck of the Green Party has warned that overturning The Building Energy Act (GEG), sometimes called the heating law, aimed at reducing stubbornly high heating emissions would be “fatal”. The GEG requires heating systems installed in new buildings in new residential areas to use at least 65% renewable energy, and was passed by the Green Party, centre-left SDP, and pro-business FDP coalition, coming into effect in Jan. 2024 after much contentious debate largely centred around the higher cost of climate-friendly systems like heat pumps. The conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and the FDP have taken aim at the law in their election manifestos, saying they would overturn it, with the former saying it would instead promote low-emissions heating open to all technologies and would rely on emissions trading. However, Habeck has said that relying solely on rising CO2 prices to help phase out fossil fuel heaters would ultimately make heating more expensive for citizens. In the long term, switching to climate-friendly heating will save citizens cash, he said. Heat pump sales in Germany dropped by almost half last year due to uncertainties with the law, plus a lack of public knowledge about support programmes. (Clean Energy Wire)
NGO SOS – Several environmental NGOs in Europe could face closure if a proposal to freeze their funding, backed by right-wing MEPs, succeeds. According to The Guardian, the move aligns with broader efforts by centre-right and far-right politicians to weaken the European Green Deal, the EU’s plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The proposed funding cut targets the LIFE programme, which provides €15.6 mln annually – about 0.006% of the European Commission’s budget – but covers up to 70% of the annual income of 30 NGOs. Organisations such as ClientEarth, Carbon Market Watch, and WWF Central and Eastern Europe rely on LIFE for more than a quarter of their funding. Campaigners argue that cutting this support would stifle civil society voices and undermine democracy. MEPs from the European People’s Party (EPP), European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), and far-right groups claim that the Commission’s environmental department has used LIFE funds to pay NGOs to lobby for stricter regulations. Monika Hohlmeier, vice-chair of the EU Parliament’s budgetary committee, has called for an end to such funding practices, arguing they compromise legislative independence and transparency. However, no concrete evidence has been provided to support these allegations. NGO leaders have strongly denied any wrongdoing. Birdlife Europe described the accusations as a “slanderous witch-hunt,” while Transparency International EU accused the EPP of adopting tactics similar to those of Hungarian authoritarian PM Viktor Orban. The defunding proposal will be reviewed by parliamentary committees before a final vote on the EU’s budget in May.
Chemical recycling – The EU Commission has approved a €500 mln French scheme to support chemical recycling of plastic waste. Funds will be delivered through grants covering up to 40% of the eligible costs of projects, according to the Commission. “The French scheme … will contribute to the EU’s objective of reaching climate neutrality by 2050, by promoting the use of existing resources through efficiency and circular economy practices,” said Teresa Ribera, the European Commission’s first executive vice-president.
Farmers 2.0 – A demonstration of thousands of industry workers will take place tomorrow, Feb. 5, in Brussels, organised by industriAll Europe. Workers from steel and other manufacturing industries are calling on the Commission to save their sectors and preserve employment, while combating global overcapacity and unfair trade. It sounds familiar to last year’s farmers riots against regulations perceived as too strict.
Call for studies – The European Space Agency (ESA) has issued a call for studies to advance research on biodiversity and climate change. Proposals should focus on topics such as the role of biodiversity in carbon storage and climate regulation, the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, and integrating Earth observation data and models to support decision-making, ESA said. Findings from funded studies are set to inform assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.
Renewable diesel pilot – Sasol, Anglo American, and De Beers have entered into a joint development agreement on Tuesday to pilot the production of renewable diesel from vegetable oil. The deal will see the partners assess the technical and commercial viability of feedstock production, with diamond producer De Beers providing the more than 20-ha tract of land on which the crops for the trial vegetable oil feedstock will be grown. Pre-feasibility studies have been approved and renewable diesel production trials have been initiated, and the resulting fuel will be used at De Beers operations. (Reuters)
RTRS updates soy certification – The Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) has launched version 3.0 of its Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard, incorporating a new Lean CoC model and an optional module for aligning with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The CoC system ensures traceability of responsible soy throughout the supply chain, from production to final sale. The updated standard aims to improve transparency and streamline requirements for supply chain actors, including producers, processors, and traders. RTRS said that while its certification can support EUDR compliance, it does not guarantee full alignment with the regulation. The organisation also plans further updates to align with emerging EU sustainability directives.
ASIA PACIFIC
India SAF Alliance – Indian minister for road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Tuesday launched India SAF Alliance at the CMAI India Climate Week 2025 to drive the country towards sustainable aviation. “The futuristic vision, futuristic development, and futuristic planning is very important. Presently, we are the importer of the energy and our dream is to become exporter of the energy,” Gadkari said at the launch, according to a press statement. The minister also emphasised the need for transformative policies to integrate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into India’s aviation industry. The country is targeting a 1% SAF blend by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030, added the statement. The India SAF Alliance will focus on three goals – reducing aviation emissions, generating Scope 3 mitigation credits, and empowering farmers through green jobs and agricultural residue management.
I-REC partnership – Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian project developer ProClime to acquire International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs), thereby allowing private sector producers to sell carbon credits, generated equivalent to hydroelectricity production, in the global market. Under the agreement, around 2,000 MW of electricity out of the 2,700 MW generated by the private sector in Nepal would be eligible for carbon trading in the first phase. The traded amount calculated by the IREC Calculator designed by ProClime, is estimated to be around 1 billion Nepali Rupees ($7.2 mln) annually. Nepal recently introduced an ‘Energy Development Roadmap and Working Guideline’, which envisions producing 28,500 MW electricity by 2035, including exporting 15,000 MW, the Farsight Nepal reported.
New platform – Ecobell, a South Korea-based sustainability company, has established a platform that analyses GHG reduction data and thus allows users to create carbon credits, according to a statement released Tuesday. The platform, named ecoASSET, aims to collect data in real-time and ensure compliance with international carbon standards, Ecobell said. The Korean company said it will focus on emissions reductions from the installation of solar power plants.
Step by step – Japan’s JERA and Toho Gas have jointly established a subsidiary to construct and operate the Chita Thermal Power Station Units 7 and 8, with the aim of beginning construction work in 2026, the companies announced Tuesday. The newly formed unit has concluded a contract with Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions, Toshiba Plant Systems & Services, and Taisei Corporation for future work.
For sale – Two institutional grade, large-scale Queensland/northern NSW grazing assets have been independently put to market this week, including the SLM (sustainable land management) Pastoral Portfolio, local media reported. SLM Partners was an early proponent of carbon project methodologies approved by the Australian government’s Carbon Farming Initiative. The portfolio has two carbon projects generating and selling Australian Carbon Credit Units until at least 2039, according to LAWD.
Updates – Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has begun implementing the changes legislated last year to improve transparency in the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme. The CER noted in a statement it has a 6-month period to transition the project register to publish new data, with all updates to be completed by June 20, 2025. It added that it will publish updates to the project register after the end of each month and work with participants to confirm the information to be published on the project register.
More hydrogen cancellations – Queensland this week cancelled support for a major hydrogen project, which was backed by its own Stanwell Corporation. It said it would not commit funds to the Central Queensland Hydrogen Project (CQ-H2), leaving federal Labor Energy Minister Chris Bowen “surprised and disappointed”. The recently elected conservative Coalition earlier paused the approvals process for four large wind farms, including those to supply clean power to aluminium smelters run by Australia’s large Rio Tinto mining company. The announcement came the same day BP pulled back on plans for a large green liquid fuel and green hydrogen development in Western Australia at the site of a former oil refinery.
Some rocks and an easier place – The federal and Western Australian governments will spend A$3 million ($1.86 mln) on a feasibility study for a common use critical minerals processing facility. The feasibility study will be led by the Minerals Resources Institute of Western Australia. Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King said the funding came under the A$10.2 mln Critical Minerals National Productivity Initiative and will investigate a facility to be built in the Perth region. The governments hope a common-use facility will drive investment in the sector and scale domestic mineral processing efforts, rather than the nation’s dig-and-ship mineral export model of recent decades. On Monday the state government announced an expedited approvals process for some mining projects deemed low environmental risk.
WALL-E-ing through – Veolia, the Australian arm of French waste management firm has proposed a five-point action plan to meet the country’s 2030 waste targets and put Australia “on the path to becoming a recycling, repair, and reuse superpower, all while creating new export markets”, it said in a statement. The action plan includes introducing a carbon price for all landfills, introducing identical and higher waste levies across the country, accelerating development approvals for waste infrastructure, reversing export bans on recycled resources that create perverse outcomes, and levelling the playing field through economy-wide product stewardship legislation. The call for more policy ambition comes after the National Waste and Resource Recovery Report 2024 found Australians have produced 5.6 million tonnes more waste overall in 2022-23 compared to 2016-17, the statement added.
AMERICAS
Aluminium tariff fears – The prospect of additional US tariffs on Brazilian aluminium has this large industrial sector fearing a loss of market share, according to Janaina Donas, CEO of the Brazilian Aluminium Association (Abal), speaking to NeoFeed. This would be over and above a preexisting 10% surtax (Section 232 tariff) left over from the last Trump administration. According to Abal, around 25% of Brazilian aluminium and aluminium products were exported to the US in 2024 ($796 mln). However, the CEO also noted that Brazil is “very well positioned” to take advantage of European markets – despite EU CBAM ‘tariffs’ – due to the country’s exceptionally low-carbon aluminium production.
Methane f(r)ee – Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate plan to introduce resolutions on Tuesday to repeal a US EPA rule requiring natural gas producers to report methane emissions. The rule, known as the Waste Emissions Charge, is part of the Inflation Reduction Act’s methane emissions programme and could subject producers to fees if their emissions exceed federal standards. Representative August Pfluger (R) criticised the regulation, arguing it harmed energy producers. The rule is one of several measures finalised by the Biden administration to reduce methane emissions. (E&E News)
SCOTUS watch – The US Supreme Court is reviewing a case, Diamond Alternative Energy vs EPA, which concerns whether plaintiffs can satisfy legal requirement of redressability—proving that a court ruling could remedy their harm—when challenging a government policy. An amicus brief was filed in support of neither party by two non-profits, Our Children’s Trust and Public Justice, arguing that the courts should adopt a simpler standard for redressability. They contend that if a plaintiff shows they are suffering ongoing harm caused by a government action, requesting prospective relief should be enough to establish standing to sue. The brief pushes back against stricter interpretations that could limit access to courts for plaintiffs seeking to challenge federal policies. The case will be argued in the spring.
Qualify for CFPC – The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Monday summarised eligibility requirements under the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit (CFPC). Transportation fuel producers, except those producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), must calculate emission rates using the most recent determinations under the new 45ZCF-GREET model. Meanwhile, SAF producers can calculate emissions rates using either determinations from fuel pathways approved under the most recent version of the CORSIA or the 45ZCF-GREET model.
Yaw right – The Pennsylvania state Senate has approved legislation to repeal the state’s participation in RGGI. Sponsored by Senator Gene Yaw (R), SB 186 would ensure that any future electricity taxes or emissions trading programmes must go through the legislative process rather than being implemented unilaterally by the executive branch. Yaw argues that RGGI will cause higher electricity rates, job losses in energy and manufacturing, and the closure of power plants. A 2023 Commonwealth Court ruling determined that RGGI qualifies as a tax requiring legislative approval, but an appeal by proponents to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned that decision. Pennsylvania has been kept out of the programme through 2024 due to the state court’s injunction. SB 186 now goes to the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, which is split 101-101 due to a recent vacancy.
Million-dollar (tax) baby – Colombia’s carbon tax prompted revenue flows of around COP$4.5 bln ($1.2 mln) to the country’s government and voluntary carbon market between 2017 and 2024, according to figures from Asocarbono, the Colombian Association of Carbon Market Members. This includes COP$3.2 bln collected in national carbon taxes covering 177 MtCO2e, as well as domestic carbon credit purchases worth a total of COP$1.3 bln covering 112 MtCO2e, where these credits were surrendered toward the tax in lieu of payment. Colombia’s CO2 tax currently sits around $6/t, rising annually with the rate of inflation plus one percentage point. Recent proposals to raise it have been unsuccessful. Up to 50% of tax liabilities may be offset using domestic carbon credits.
VOLUNTARY
Ocean CDR – Marine carbon removal company Gigablue has selected Puro.earth to certify its CDR credits under the Puro Standard. The certification follows an 18-month review by New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research assessing the integrity and scalability of Gigablue’s marine carbon fixation and sequestration (MCFS) methodology. The company said working with Puro will ensure rigorous measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) standards for its ocean-based removals. Gigablue, which aims to remove 1 bln tonnes of CO2 by 2035, recently announced a four-year, 200,000-tonne offtake deal with SkiesFifty.
Puro and simple – Puro.earth and Sylvera have teamed up to provide independent ratings for durable CDR projects, they said Tuesday. This will connect developers and investors through Sylvera’s ‘Connect to Supply’ platform, in a bid to scale carbon removal. The partnership will also enable project developers to get access to independent ratings of their durable CDR activities. Few additional details were provided.
Biochar fundraising – Ag-climate-tech startup SoilLogia is raising $6.1 mln in seed funding to scale production of Reclyzer, its biochar product derived from sewage sludge. The investment will finance a new facility in Delaware, equipped with a pyrolysis system capable of producing 15 tonnes of biochar per hour. The company sources sludge from wastewater treatment facilities in Pennsylvania and Maryland, repurposing waste to enhance soil health, boost crop yields, and sequester carbon. Investors can participate through credit purchases or equity stakes.
INVESTMENT
Dirty investments – As of Jan. 2025, 20 of the largest private equity firms globally were invested in at least 264 companies in the fossil fuel industry, out of 407 energy companies overall, according to the Private Equity Energy Tracker, which compiles the energy holdings of 20 of the largest PE firms globally. Overall, 65% of these firms’ energy portfolio companies were fossil fuel companies, with two firms—Quantum Capital Group, and Warburg Pincus—exceeding 90% fossil fuel investments, and Kayne Anderson reaching 100%. The research by the Private Equity Climate Risks (PECR) data consortium project pulls back the curtain on the full extent of the PE sector’s ownership and influence in fossil fuels. These PE firms owned fossil fuel companies in at least 40 different countries, including Canada, UAE, Mexico, India, Brazil, Rwanda, El Salvador, and the Philippines, stated the release on Tuesday. Of the 20 firms included, five worst fossil fuel offenders are Encap (Encap Flatrock Midstream), Brookfield (Oaktree), The Carlyle Group (NGP), Quantum Capital Group, and BlackRock Private Equity (GIP).
Plastic funding – MacroCycle Technologies has raised $6.5 mln in seed funding to scale its technology that upcycles plastic waste using, it claims, much less energy and capex than competing methods. The round was led by climate VC Clean Energy Ventures and investment firm Volta Circle, while Indorama Ventures also participated, the startup said in a release Tuesday. MacroCycle will use the funding to grow its operations by 50% and scale its pilot plant facilities to meet demand for its upcycled PET and polyester resin from initial customers. Production and disposal of plastics today makes up more than 5% of total global CO2 emissions – almost twice that of aviation – while only 15% of plastics are recycled.
AND FINALLY…
Tree funding on the chopping block – The US federal government’s urban tree-planting initiative, funded with $1.5 bln through the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in 2022 under the Biden Administration, faces uncertainty due to political and budgetary challenges, E&E News reported. Grants already awarded are in limbo following the Trump administration’s pause on climate law spending, while the upcoming fiscal 2026 budget process may further threaten funding. The Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program has been targeted for cuts in past Republican budgets, and even Democratic administrations have proposed reductions to focus on larger cities. The tree-planting initiative sought to increase access to trees and green spaces in urban and community forests, where more than 84% of Americans live.
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