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TOP STORY
EU plans to exempt 80% of companies from CBAM compliance
The European Commission wants to raise the threshold of the EU’s new carbon border tax, a source from the bloc’s executive confirmed, freeing up 80% of the eligible companies from reporting requirements.
AMERICAS
US rescinds $4 bln in pledged funding for Green Climate Fund, removes climate stress testing from banks
The administration of US President Donald Trump has rescinded previously pledged funding to the UN’s Green Climate Fund (GCF) amounting to some $4 billion, alongside a pullback of voluntary climate risk determinations from major US banks.
US stops funding for LEAF Coalition amid wider foreign aid suspension
Washington has suspended funding for the forest finance LEAF Coalition initiative as part of a wider withdrawal from foreign aid under the new administration of President Donald Trump.
US DOE to advance Trump’s inauguration plans
The US Secretary of Energy appears to be making good on President Donald Trump’s promise to “unleash” fossil fuels with a new order moving forward plans announced in the president’s inaugural speech.
Iowa Republican lawmakers pitch policy package restricting CO2 pipelines
A group of Iowa House Republicans introduced several bills on Thursday that aim to put new regulations on CO2 pipeline development.
Carbon removal developer opens pilot plant in Hawaii
A carbon removal company announced the start of operations at its pilot plant in Hawaii on Thursday.
Google spent over $100 mln on carbon removals in 2024, company says
US tech giant Google spent over $100 million on contracting carbon removal last year, three times more than it had initially planned, the company said Thursday, hinting it would continue to scale up investment in the sector this year.
New Jersey judge dismisses state’s climate lawsuit against oil companies
A New Jersey state judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed against several oil giants that sought to hold the oil companies liable for alleged damages wrought by climate change.
WCI Markets: CCAs hover above $30 with limited upside
Benchmark California Carbon Allowance (CCA) prices found support around the $30-handle, but traders questioned whether this level would sustain ahead of the first quarterly permit sale in a few weeks, while activity in Washington Carbon Allowances (WCA) was limited.
Roadshow for Chile’s first-ever auction of tax-eligible offsets slated for next week
A Latin American carbon markets platform will host a show-and-tell for the first auction of carbon credits eligible toward payment of Chile’s CO2 tax next week, it announced Thursday.
Brazil proposes new regulatory agency to oversee national ETS -media
Brazil’s finance ministry is proposing to create a new agency to regulate and manage the country’s recently approved ETS, national media reported Thursday.
Brazil’s Pantanal has more than strong potential for carbon projects -report
Brazil’s Pantanal biome – which represents the world’s largest wetlands area – has the potential to host carbon credit projects on 1.2 million hectares, according to a report by a Brazilian think tank.
EMEA
EU’s 2040 climate target plan faces extended delay
The European Commission’s legislative proposal for a 2040 climate target plan, initially expected early in the year, is now slated for the second quarter of 2025, according to a leaked document suggesting the proposal could be put forward after the Polish presidential election in May.
Brussels sets out draft EU ETS financing rules for green jet fuels
The European Commission adopted a draft regulation on Thursday to calculate the annual price difference between sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and fossil kerosene, so that airlines can obtain funding support from the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS).
More clarity needed on implementation of EU carbon removal regulation -IETA
International emission trading association IETA has said more clarity is needed on how the EU’s Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) regulation will be implemented in a paper published Thursday.
INTERVIEW: EU’s clean heating transition ‘not on track’ for ETS2, expert says
A sluggish shift to clean heating risks derailing the EU’s 2030 decarbonisation targets adopted under the Emissions Trading System for buildings and transport (ETS2), which is due to kick off in 2027, researchers say.
“Own goal”: EU car CO2 standards imply a carbon price of €500/tCO2, think tank says
The EU’s high penalties for non-compliance with car CO2 emissions standards will benefit US and Chinese electric vehicle makers like Tesla and BYD, warn researchers, who urge the bloc to rethink its policies “from the ground up”.
Oman-based CDR startup raises additional $5 mln in Series A funding
A carbon mineralisation company has secured an additional $5 million in a Series A investment from a sovereign climate investor and a MENA-focused venture capital firm, bringing its total Series A funding to $42 mln.
European accelerator announces latest funding cohort, includes Kenya DAC developer
A European carbon removal accelerator has announced its latest funding cohort, including a Kenya-focused direct air capture developer, it said Thursday.
ArcelorMittal expects steel demand rebound in 2025
ArcelorMittal, the world’s second-largest steelmaker, expects significant growth in steel demand this year, it said in annual results Thursday, suggesting a related increase in demand for EU emission allowances to cover the carbon costs.
Orsted slashes investment plans in wake of Trump’s offshore wind lease suspension
The world’s biggest offshore wind developer Orsted has slashed investment by 25% up to 2030 in the wake of challenges to the renewable energy industry and the decision by US President Donald Trump to suspend new leases for offshore wind in the US.
UK lawmakers highlight major risk in govt push for carbon capture
A UK parliamentary committee has published a report highlighting significant risks and uncertainties in the government’s carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) programme.
UK to miss net zero by 2050 goal, though carbon prices would reach $250/t -report
The UK is on track to reduce emissions by 82% by 2050, lowering household energy costs along the way, even though carbon prices would increase significantly to $250/tonne, according to a report by an industrial risk management company.
South African exchange sees first trade of voluntary carbon credits
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has seen the first trades of carbon credits, which are eligible to be used as offsets against the country’s carbon tax, the exchange announced Thursday.
Carbon storage project in Greece secures €120 mln in EU funding
The European Commission has awarded approximately €120 million to support the development of a liquefied CO2 receiving terminal at a planned storage site in Greece, the project developer announced on Thursday.
Euro Markets: EUAs return to shadowing TTF as market awaits new direction
European carbon prices edged higher on Thursday amid further gains in gas and power, with traders still questioning the recent bullish trend and some saying that EUAs are now “marking time” ahead of the emergence of a new price direction.
ASIA PACIFIC
Taiwanese semiconductor majors looking to create nature-based carbon credits
Top players in Taiwan’s semiconductor industry are tapping into the carbon removal sector, as nature-based offset projects have increasingly gained popularity on the island.
Regulator approves 19 J-Credit projects
Japan’s domestic J-Credit scheme has received a boost after the voluntary programme administrator on Thursday said it has approved 19 projects capable of generating a total of around 3.5 million carbon credits over their lifetimes.
Bangladesh garment industry holds vast biogas potential, study finds
Bangladesh’s vast garment industry could cut costs and reduce carbon emissions, according to a team of local and German researchers.
INTERNATIONAL
CORSIA Phase 2 eligibility for standards to become more stringent -TAB member
The eligibility criteria for Phase 2 of UN’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) are set to become more stringent for international carbon standards, a member of the Technical Advisory Body (TAB) told Carbon Pulse.
Madagascar ‘enthusiastic’ about Article 6, plans to develop national registry
Madagascar is keen to get involved with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and is aiming to develop a national registry and standards to start generating credits, the country’s Designated National Authority (DNA) said on Thursday.
VOLUNTARY
Analysts expect record voluntary carbon credit retirements in 2025, excluding CORSIA demand boost
A carbon analytics firm has said it expects nearly 200 million tonnes CO2 in voluntary carbon market (VCM) retirements in 2025, with the possibility of substantially more if demand from the UN’s CORSIA international aviation offsetting scheme is factored in.
Voluntary carbon market ratings agency launches new quality, pricing indices, says 2024 was “turning point” for credit integrity
The year 2024 was a “turning point” for integrity in the voluntary carbon market (VCM) and the prices that high-quality credits command, according to a new set of quality and pricing indices launched by a ratings agency and backed by a carbon market intelligence firm.
Clean Cooking Alliance seeks feedback on code of conduct ahead of ICVCM decision
The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) is seeking feedback on a new code of conduct to ensure responsible financing in the sector, as it waits to discover if any carbon crediting methodologies pass the Integrity Council of the Voluntary Carbon Market’s (ICVCM) quality test in the coming months.
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.
UK sells over £200,000 in statutory biodiversity credits
The UK government has sold £236,376 in statutory biodiversity net gain (BNG) credits to developers to offset their impacts since the legislation came into force, Carbon Pulse has learned.
Cercarbono sets up expert panel for biodiversity credit certification
Colombia-based environmental standard Cercarbono has set up an independent panel of biodiversity experts to facilitate its certification process, the company announced on Thursday.
EU eco-schemes lack ambition on biodiversity protection, report says
Schemes established across the EU to help farmers adopt sustainable practices and support the bloc’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are failing to deliver robust outcomes for nature, according to a report released this week.
Forest Stewardship Council verifies biodiversity benefits of first US-based project
A carbon removal developer with huge offtake support verified the first US-based afforestation (ARR) project through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), it announced Thursday.
EU research council advocates cautious use of nature credits
A member of the European Research Council has endorsed the use of nature credits to address the biodiversity crisis, provided that the mechanism is developed ‘cautiously’, she told the European Parliament’s environment committee (ENVI) on Thursday.
Environmental standard launches consultation on nature stewardship credit framework
An environmental standard announced on Thursday it has opened a public consultation on its framework for Nature Stewardship Credits (NSCs), setting out eligibility criteria for biodiversity conservation and restoration projects with demonstrated social benefits.
Biodiversity Pulse: Thursday February 6, 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 solutions. www.nacwconference.com
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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
INTERNATIONAL
Climate funding cull – Up to $500 mln a year in grant-based climate funding for developing countries is at risk following US President Donald Trump’s attack on USAID, with the new administration threatening to shut the state aid agency and slash overseas development assistance. Aid organisations and contractors have been tackling an unprecedented crisis since, on his first day in office, Trump ordered a 90-day funding freeze during which a programme-by-programme review would be carried out. USAID is the world’s largest bilateral development agency and a major provider of grant-based finance for climate action in the Global South. Only projects that make “America safer, stronger or more prosperous” will survive the cull, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio – who is now in charge of USAID’s work. Organisations in the space have been thrown into disarray, forced to suddenly halt their operations and furlough or lay off staff without having any clear guidance from US officials. The aid group has supported many climate resilience projects, and a large climate project to roll out clean energy across Southern Africa with total budgeted funding of $84.5 mln up to 2028. Climate adaptation projects also feature strongly, including those in conflict-afflicted regions. There are rumours USAID may be folded into the State Department, though any fundamental reforms of the agency would legally need to be approved by the Republican-controlled Congress. But, as far as climate action is concerned, some experts believe the writing is already on the wall. (Climate Home News)
EMEA
Power transmission boost – The CEO of Vattenfall has said Europe needs to increase its electricity transmission capacity and low-carbon power generation to ensure energy security, Reuters reports. The Swedish utility reported a steep drop in fourth quarter earnings on Thursday – with underlying earnings before interest and tax of 531 mln Swedish crowns ($48.66 mln), down from 4.5 billion crowns a year earlier. The drop was a result of lower spot power prices in the Nordics, which dropped 46% y-o-y, and higher provisions for dismantling nuclear operations and taking care of spent fuel. Vattenfall said it will spend 170 bln crowns over the next five years, most of it on wind power and grid projects, and planning for new nuclear generation. Europe needs both more transmission capacity to let power flow more easily between market areas and optimise prices, said CEO Anna Borg.
Strategic investment – Taranis, an investment and asset management company, has acquired a minority stake of 35% in Rougier, a forest management firm, from the Deposit and Consignment Fund of Gabon, it announced. The partners aim to reduce Gabon’s carbon footprint through carbon capture solutions, while also preserving the Congo Basin’s ecosystems and supporting local communities, they said in a joint statement. Through the partnership, both firms also intend to strengthen the environmental and energy resilience of their activities, and improve their carbon footprints in the Congo Basin.
Alternative fuels – The EU Commission has selected 39 innovative projects across the EU, for a total investment of €422 mln provided through the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), which will drive the transition to cleaner transport. The selected projects will focus on installing public electric recharging stations, including high-power megawatt chargers for both heavy-duty and light-duty vehicles, developing hydrogen refueling stations and onshore power installations in ports, as well as electrifying airports and providing infrastructure for alternative fuels such as ammonia and methanol for shipping.
Hotter homes – The UK government is planning to introduce legislation in England to mandate landlord meet the energy efficiency rating C, rather than E, by 2030. Landlords will be given a choice over how to meet energy efficiency standards. This will require them to meet a fabric standard through installing measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation or double glazing, before moving on to a range of other options including batteries, solar panels and smart meters. A maximum cap of £15,000 per property for landlords, with support currently available from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and Warm Homes. Local Grant which begins delivery this year. The legislation will not apply to Scotland and Wales where the remit is devolved to the national governments.
Shifting balance – Turkey surpassed Germany as Europe’s top polluter from fossil fuel generation for the first time last year, signalling a key shift in Europe’s main polluting hubs away from traditional industrial centres to its fringes. Turkey’s production of energy-intensive industrial products including steel and chemicals has expanded in recent years just as output of those same goods shrank in Germany. The shift reflects an ongoing change in the location of Europe’s high-polluting sectors out of areas with emissions caps and strained power grids to regions with softer pollution standards and fast-growing energy supplies. Turkey’s power sector discharged 154.5 Mt of CO2 from fossil fuel-based power generation in 2024, only slightly above Germany’s 154.4 Mt, with the former relying heavily on coal for power production. Average power prices in Turkey are also far less than in Germany, while the country has lots of policy support for job-generating industrial sectors. Emissions monitoring therefore needs to extend beyond Europe’s industrial heartland to keep a handle on spiralling pollution levels. (Reuters)
Fund redirection – The Alliance for Empowering Rural Communities (AERC) in Ghana has publicly opposed a legislative proposal by the majority leader of parliament, Mahama Ayariga, to fund a pension scheme for retired parliamentarians using carbon credit revenues. AERC argued in a recent statement that such a move would conflict with the principle that credit funds be exclusively used for climate change mitigation, as set out in the Environmental Protection Act, 2025. AERC suggested parliamentarians should instead consider contributing part of their salaries to a dedicated pensions fund instead of redirecting carbon credit revenues. Credit revenues should be reserved for projects that reduce GHG emissions, promote renewable energy, and support conservation, the organisation stated.
Anew agreement – Anew Climate, a global carbon offset developer, has entered into a strategic agreement to manage Landwarme’s EEG and green gas contracts, following approval by the Federal Cartel Office and Landwarme creditors. Landwarme, a German biomethane trading company, entered self-administration proceedings in Aug. 2024 due to market challenges in Germany’s regulated transportation sector. The agreement is set to close in the coming days, and Landwarme representatives will provide guidance to affected customers. Anew Climate continues its European expansion with planned offices in Munich and Berlin.
ASIA PACIFIC
Delayed, but soon now – Malaysia’s carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) regulatory framework bill will be tabled in the parliament in early March, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli has said. “The target remains to table it in this parliamentary sitting by the first week of March. We are finalising the drafting, and making improvements based on stakeholder feedback,” he told a press briefing. Initially slated for November last year, the CCUS Bill aims to regulate the capture, transportation, utilisation, and permanent storage of GHG emissions. CCUS is also one of the six key decarbonisation levers under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), launched in July 2023, the Edge Malaysia reported.
India Climate Week – Carbon Markets Association of India (CMAI) and the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) signed an MoU at the India Climate Week in New Delhi to strengthen India’s carbon markets, with a focus on biofuels, green hydrogen, and sustainable fuels. Additionally, an extended producer responsibility (EPR) alliance was launched at the conference by CMAI, aiming to hold producers accountable for the waste they generate. The initiative aims for 100% recycling of plastic waste by 2030.
Take effect – South Korea’s national bill on promoting the carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) industry will take effect Friday, the trade ministry said Thursday. The act, passed last year, stipulates the process for CCUS, such as designating a location candidate for ocean carbon sinks and operating such facilities, as well as support measures for businesses in the emerging industry.
Focus shift – China’s power equipment industry needs to shift its investment focus to storage and distribution infrastructure from renewable generation to stay viable amid excess capacity and rising protectionism overseas, said an economist at French investment bank Natixis, according to South China Morning Post. China’s solar panel output last year exceeded global demand, resulting in an inventory glut in the EU, its biggest market, said Mu Haoxin, a Natixis economist. In order to address power-grid bottlenecks that led to a drop in utilisation of China’s wind and solar farms, Beijing would need to double the grid infrastructure’s contribution to national fixed-asset investment, Mu said.
AMERICAS
Freeport pays the price – Freeport LNG Development, a US exporter of LNG, has confirmed in a letter released on Wednesday that it will not contest the over $1.5 mln civil penalty proposed by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) in connection with four probable violations related to a Jun. 8, 2022, explosion at its Texas LNG facility. In a response to PHMSA, Freeport LNG stated that corrective actions to address the violations had already been implemented under a prior Consent Agreement and Order. The company committed in the letter to processing the payment in compliance with PHMSA’s instructions. Earlier this year, PHMSA released long-awaited upgrades to its pipeline transportation regulations to include gaseous CO2, alongside strengthening current rules.
Drilling dispute – Earthjustice, a non-profit environmental law organisation, has filed a lawsuit against the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) challenging its approval of oil and gas drilling permits in California’s San Joaquin Valley. The plaintiffs, which include several environmental and public health organisations, argue that BLM violated federal laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Air Act, by failing to properly evaluate cumulative environmental impacts, including air and water pollution, before issuing the permits. They allege that BLM relied on inadequate environmental reviews, segmented projects to understate pollution impacts, and did not provide opportunities for public comment. The lawsuit seeks to vacate the permits and halt further drilling until BLM complies with federal regulations.
Environmental policies rescinded – The US Attorney General has rescinded departmental memoranda and guidance related to environmental justice (EJ) initiatives. The announcement, made in a memo published on Feb. 5, follows the recent revocation by President Donald Trump of a number of Executive Orders (EO) from the Biden administration, including EO 13990 and 14027, which sought to support environmental justice and climate-related actions. All department components and US Attorneys’ Offices are required to certify the rescission of related directives by Feb. 7. The Department has stated it will enforce all federal laws, including environmental laws, in an “even-handed” manner. Separately, the EPA has placed all 168 EJ employees on leave E&E reported.
Net-zero no more – The Wyoming legislature is considering House Bill 209 (HB 209), the ‘Reliable and dispatchable low-carbon standards-repeal’, which seeks to remove the state’s low-carbon energy standard requirements. Sponsored by Representative Chris Knapp (R), the bill passed out of a House committee, and is now officially on the list of items available for further discussion or voting in the House. The bill seeks to eliminate provisions related to dispatchable and reliable low-carbon energy definitions, along with associated rulemaking requirements. It also mandates the Public Service Commission to create rules for its implementation. If passed, the act would take effect immediately upon completing the required legislative process. Wyoming lawmakers also recently introduced Bill SF 92, which seeks to repeal low-carbon energy standard requirements. Local media reported that the bill did not make it out of the senate committee on Feb. 3, but this has not yet been updated in state records.
Farming funding freeze – US Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D), alongside House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D), and House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee Ranking Member Sanford Bishop (D), have called on the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to justify a federal funding freeze recently implemented by the Trump administration. Programmes subject to the freeze include the $100 mln Transition to the Organic Partnership programme and the $85 mln Organic Market Development Grant programme. In a letter to USDA Acting Secretary Gary Washington, lawmakers criticised the halt in disbursements, citing significant harm to rural communities, farmers, and small businesses. They demanded an explanation and requested a response by Feb. 14.
Mixed signals? – Saint Lucia published its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 document on Thursday, meeting a UN deadline that most countries are expected to miss for this Paris Agreement requirement. The country’s intention to monetise REDD+ credits through the Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN), however, has become slightly uncertain. Kevin Conrad, CfRN executive director, previously told Carbon Pulse that Saint Lucia was likely to contribute some REDD+ credits from Article 5.2 of the Paris Agreement, converted into Article 6 ‘ITMO’ credits, to the CfRN’s anticipated 200 mln ITMO supply by 2027. However, in its NDC 3.0, the Caribbean island stated that it is only “considering the potential role of Article 6” in delivering its goals, adding that it is currently exploring the development of a national REDD+ programme. The forestry sector is included within Saint Lucia’s (fully conditional) GHG mitigation targets.
Well, that was unexpected – Ecuador – which just last year saw its president veto a bill to clearly legalise carbon markets activity after 2008 constitutional reforms appeared to ban it – has stated in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 targets on Thursday that it will “develop the necessary instruments to facilitate the full implementation of Article 6 at the national level”. Ecuador “recognises the potential presented by cooperative approaches under Article 6”, the NDC reads, and “declares its interest in participating under the aforementioned cooperative approaches”. Ecuador last week signed a $30 mln offtake agreement with the LEAF Coalition buyers’ club. The country is slated to have a general election on Feb. 9.
Taking the FRL – Panama’s Ministry of Environment on Wednesday presented its proposed Forest Reference Level (FRL) 2025. This metric provides a baseline against which REDD+ emissions levels can be measured – and subsequently, results-based payments can be made – under the UN REDD+ system. Panama’s FRL stands at approximately -18 MtCO2e per annum, cementing its status as a net carbon sink. This balance notwithstanding, the environment ministry identified a “worrying trend” toward increased deforestation and degradation, highlighting an “urgent need” to protect and restore ecosystems. Relatedly, the ministry also presented the results of the ‘Mapathon 2024’ initiative: a collaborative effort in which a team of 20 experts analysed satellite images of 33,485 plots across the country to detect changes in land use between 2010 and 2024.
VOLUNTARY
The view from above – Pixxel, a US-India-based space technology company, has partnered with Kita, a provider of insurance and risk monitoring services for carbon solutions. The collaboration aims to enhance carbon project monitoring and insurance risk assessment using Pixxel’s hyperspectral satellite data. Kita will integrate Pixxel’s high-resolution hyperspectral insights into its risk modelling methodologies for clients such as commodity traders, development banks, investment funds, and insurance firms. Traditional methods of assessing forestry projects rely on broad averages, whereas Pixxel’s technology enables more precise tracking of biophysical and biochemical indicators, improving risk assessment for afforestation, blue carbon, and vegetation stress. The partnership seeks to improve early risk identification and mitigation in carbon projects, including regenerative agriculture and biochar technologies. Pixxel’s data will allow more accurate ecosystem health monitoring and support the insurance sector in managing nature-based projects, the companies said. Pixxel recently launched three commercial hyperspectral satellites, with more scheduled for 2025, aiming to provide detailed Earth observation data with high spatial and spectral resolution.
ICR Buyers’ Guide – International Carbon Registry (ICR) has launched its ICR Buyers’ Guide — A Roadmap to Understanding the ICR Program and How Carbon Credits Can Accelerate Climate Action. This is a resource to help companies navigate carbon markets, corporate sustainability, and carbon credits, and lays out how credits fit into carbon neutrality targets. The guide is for corporate sustainability leaders, investors and financial institutions, regulators and market analysts, and project developers and validation/verification bodies. Get access here.
Biomass data – Chloris Geospatial has announced its above-ground biomass data is now available on the VerifAId Transparency dMRV platform by Remote Sensing Solutions, in a LinkedIn announcement. VerifAId Transparency is an AI-powered monitoring and verification system for nature-based solutions, and with Chloris’ direct biomass measurement now integrated, companies can quantify, verify, and track their forest conservation and restoration impact with greater efficiency, the statement read.
AVIATION
SAF outlook – European mandates kicking-off in 2025 should spark a period of long-term demand growth for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), though key uncertainties -such as the US policy framework, voluntary willingness-to-pay, and Asian mandates cloud the trajectory, wrote Boston Consulting Group (BCG) on LinkedIn. Fast SAF capacity expansion has led to an overcapacity slump in 2024, suppressing prices and margins, but BCG anticipates demand to surpass capacity toward the end of the decade, restoring margins to reinvestment levels. HEFA remains the most cost-effective SAF technology, but its dependence on limited second-generation feedstocks such as used cooking oil, animal fats is likely to constrain its growth beyond 2030. The next wave of SAF will likely arise from alternative feedstocks such as algae and next-generation technology like e-fuels (made from hydrogen and CO2), it said. Policies, feedstock availability, and production innovation will shape the industry’s future, the statement read.
AND FINALLY…
Trimming the fat, not the emissions – Novo Nordisk announced on Wednesday its 2024 emissions grew 23% and will continue rising this decade while the Danish company spends billions to increase production of its top-selling obesity drug Wegovy. The drugmaker said 96% of its total emissions are Scope 3, tied to suppliers in Novo Nordisk’s supply chain. Novo Nordisk announced an interim target to cut 33% of those Scope 3 emissions from the 2024 baseline by 2033. “It will be worse before it gets better” as the company grows, sustainability executive Katrine DiBona told Reuters. Novo Nordisk seeks to convert to lower-carbon materials where possible and work with suppliers to ensure lower carbon transportation of deliveries.
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