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TOP STORY

ANALYSIS: New UN carbon crediting mechanism under scrutiny in wake of first CDM transition approval

The integrity of the new Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism has already come into focus after the first programme of activities (PoA) was approved at a recent UNFCCC meeting.

EMEA

Ahead of German elections, government faces scrutiny over coal phaseout as EUA cancellations lag

Germany has been unable to cancel EU carbon allowances against its coal plant closures after the European Commission rejected the government’s calculation method, according to an official response from the German government to a parliamentary inquiry.

BRIEFING: EU climate advisors back integration of carbon removals into ETS

Integrating permanent removals into the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) would allow projects to generate credits and pave the way for net-negative emissions after 2050, provided strict conditions are met, the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (EASBCC) said on Friday.

Euro Markets: EUAs drop for fourth straight day as market remains in thrall to “headline madness”

European carbon prices sank to a six-week low and started to explore a strong technical support area, while traders questioned the market’s drivers amid a constant flow of headlines that have been more directly relevant for gas than carbon, while UKA plummeted by as much as 9.2% amid sustained early selling.

EU on track to cut emissions 49% by 2030, EEA says

Faster progress is needed to reach the EU’s 2030 target of cutting emissions 55% below 1990 levels, the European Commission said on Thursday after the publication of a new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Draft EU state aid rules for industrial decarbonisation under fire

The European Commission’s leaked state aid measures in support of its upcoming Clean Industrial Deal will fail to deliver for Europe’s domestic clean tech sector, an environmental group has warned.

Big EU companies favour shareholder payouts over green transition -report

Major European companies in key energy transition sectors are funnelling the bulk of their profits into shareholder payouts, instead of investing in making their businesses fit for the low-carbon transition, according to a report on Thursday.

Brussels seeks more experts to help expand EU ETS aviation coverage

The European Commission is seeking applications from experts to support the extension of the EU ETS Directive to additional areas of the aviation sector, it announced on Wednesday.

EU ETS insufficient to cut the cost of green shipping corridors before 2040s -report

A global fuel standard for shipping is not enough to bring down the cost of clean fuel maritime corridors, even when the effects of EU ETS are added in, according to new research.

Turkiye’s government submits climate bill establishing ETS to parliament

Turkiye’s ruling party has submitted a long-awaited climate change-related bill that foresees the creation of a carbon market board and an emissions trading system to the Parliament on Thursday.

Free UK carbon permit allocations drop 14% in 2025

The UK government has published an updated list of free carbon permit handouts by installation covered by the country’s ETS for the period 2021-25, with allocations for the current year now 14% lower than the 2024 total.

France unveils new afforestation methodologies for low-carbon label scheme

France has published new afforestation and revegetation methodologies to be used in its ‘low-carbon label’ scheme.

ASIA PACIFIC

BRIEFING: Indonesian nature and biodiversity projects stuck in holding pattern

Nature-based carbon projects in Indonesia are hoping for a change in market sentiment, as they await government regulations to allow them to begin trading again.

Australia tightens rules for carbon projects on Indigenous land

Australia on Thursday said it is removing the opportunity to register carbon projects on Indigenous land before consent has been given by Native Title holders.

Major Japanese bank partners with GenZero to fund coal plant closures in Asia

A Japanese bank on Thursday partnered with GenZero, a subsidiary of Singaporean government-owned investment firm Temasek, to develop transition credits for accelerating early retirement of coal-fired power plants in Asia.

Australia announces A$1-bln green iron fund

Australia’s Labor government has announced A$1 billion ($634 million) to develop green iron in the country, with up to half of that going to save South Australia’s Whyalla Steelworks, which was put into administration this week after its billionaire backer failed to make repayments to the state government.

AMERICAS

WCI Markets: LCFS continues to stir CCA pot post auction

After hours complications from stalled regulatory updates of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) continued to whiplash California Carbon Allowance (CCA) prices into and post the first quarterly permit sale mid-week, while lawmakers introduced amendments to Washington’s ETS, stirring debate on the programme’s emissions targets and impacts on affordability.

California utilities regulator publishes recommendations for lowering power costs via WCI funds

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) published Tuesday suggestions for lowering power costs by adjusting the distribution of credits funded through the state’s ETS to certain residents and businesses.

US senators reintroduce legislation to expand financing tool to clean energy projects

A pair of bipartisan US senators reintroduced legislation Thursday that would make clean energy projects eligible for a financing option currently only available to traditional energy projects.

BRIEFING: New Hampshire lawmakers pursue tax revenues from trees generating carbon credits

Several Republican New Hampshire state lawmakers have proposed to tax trees used to generate voluntary carbon credits, following a law passed last year that mandated a study of lost tax revenues due to forest carbon offset programmes.

Texas lawmaker files bill proposing ban of carbon tax, clean fuel standard

A Texas legislator filed a bill last week that would allow Texas voters to decide if the state should be prohibited from ever enacting a carbon tax or a clean fuel standard.

INTERVIEW: Brazilian airline’s new carbon marketplace forges partnership with suppliers

One of Brazil’s largest airlines has initiated a pilot platform to help corporate clients source carbon credits, positioning it to grow a carbon trading business and prepare for compliance under the UN’s CORSIA aviation offsetting scheme, its sustainability head told Carbon Pulse.

VOLUNTARY

INTERVIEW: VCMI changes tack after slow start to claims code approach

The Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) will pivot in the second half of the year to a new direction that will target the millions of companies that have not yet made much progress on their mitigation journey, its executive director told Carbon Pulse.

Sylvera launches biochar carbon project ratings

Carbon ratings firm Sylvera released a framework on Thursday detailing the criteria for assessing biochar projects, with requirements on carbon sequestration, financial viability, and permanence, which will see it start to assess the quality of activities in this segment of the durable carbon removal sector.

Carbon removal standard to revise ERW crediting methodology

A carbon removal crediting body plans to revise its enhanced rock weathering (ERW) methodology, it said Thursday.

INTERNATIONAL

OECD backs whole life-cycle approach to building decarbonisation

Building decarbonisation policies need to consider all stages of construction, from planning to demolition, the OECD said in a report published on Thursday, highlighting a step-by-step approach to tackling embodied carbon in buildings.

Researchers develop AI model to boost accuracy of CO2 emissions forecasts

Scientists have developed a machine learning-based model that significantly improves the accuracy of CO2 emission predictions.

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.

Cali fund to launch at resuming COP16 talks in Rome

The long-awaited financial mechanism for sharing benefits from the use of digital sequence information (DSI) from genetic resources will be officially launched during the first day of the resuming UN COP16 biodiversity talks, due to be held in Italy next week.

BioCarbon revamps biodiversity credit standard

BioCarbon has released a revamped version of its biodiversity credit standard, including making credits eligible for offsetting and strengthening safeguards to protect Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

Spanish asset manager launches EU-backed sustainable agrifood fund

A Madrid-based asset manager has launched a fund to support Spanish small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the agrifood sector in implementing more sustainable practices, including biodiversity protection.

French compliance biodiversity project sells €17.5 mln worth of credits

A French company has sold all of its 357 compliance credits created over the last 13 years at a value of €17.5 million, while another initiative has revealed two voluntary buyers.

Biodiversity Pulse: Thursday February 20, 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

Carbon Removal Day – Feb. 27, Ottawa – Carbon Removal Canada invites you to Policy to Progress: Carbon Removal Day 2025, a conference dedicated to exploring the opportunities and challenges in advancing Canada’s carbon removal sector. Join us to discuss current solutions in action, how we can continue to drive innovation, and create the conditions for scaling carbon removal technologies. Register

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

EVision 2025 – Mar. 5-6, Brussels – An energy system transitioning to net zero requires more flexibility. Electric vehicles can be a great source of flexibility for Europe’s energy system, but their potential remains largely untapped today. Eurelectric together with EY will quantify EVs potential, benefits to the power sector and costs savings for consumers at EVision 2025: power sector accelerating e-mobility at Autoworld. Register

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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Premium job listings

• (Senior) Quantitative Carbon Market Analyst EU ETS2, Veyt – Oslo/London
• Carbon NBS Specialist/Project Manager, NatureCo – India/Southeast Asia/Indonesia/Brazil/Australia
• Nature and Biodiversity Correspondent, Carbon Pulse – Remote

See all listings or post a job

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ADVERTISE WITH US

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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

INTERNATIONAL

Weeks resumed – The UNFCCC is reinstating regular climate gatherings in the Global South from 2025 after cancelling them last year due to financial constraints and a strategic review. Moving forward, two annual “Climate Weeks” will be held with a revised format aimed at accelerating progress on key issues such as climate finance, the transition away from fossil fuels, and carbon market development under the Paris Agreement’s Article 6. These events will bring together government negotiators, technical experts, and civil society and business representatives to build momentum ahead of the mid-year Bonn talks and the COP summits in November. Unlike previous regional climate weeks, the new approach will integrate local perspectives into global discussions rather than focusing narrowly on specific regions. The first event this year is expected in Latin America, with a second in Africa ahead of COP30 in Brazil. From 2025, the gatherings will also support the submission of new NDCs. The new format aims to bridge technical discussions with real-world implementation and enhance efficiency while reducing costs. Last year’s cancellation of the climate weeks disappointed civil society groups and officials from vulnerable nations, who viewed them as vital forums for climate dialogue. The UNFCCC’s financial difficulties were exacerbated by insufficient government contributions, but its budget has since slightly improved due to payments of outstanding arrears by some countries and voluntary contributions from nations such as Japan and Germany. Additionally, US billionaire Michael Bloomberg has pledged funding to help cover gaps left by previous US policy decisions. The Climate Weeks will primarily rely on funds already allocated for various climate workshops, with cost savings expected from consolidating these events. Host countries and other governments may also provide additional financial support. (Climate Home)

Progress by committee – The GHG Protocol’s Land Sector and Removals Advisory Committee has approved a proposal to address forest carbon accounting under the Independent Standards Board (ISB). To support this, the ISB has established a Technical Working Group (TWG) with selected members listed on the GHG Protocol governance website, a Thursday release said. However, the committee has not yet reached a consensus on agricultural leakage quantification. As a result, the ISB will need to also address this issue. Due to the time required to resolve these matters, the GHG Protocol Land Sector and Removals Standard and Guidance will now be published in the final quarter of 2025. GHG Protocol said in the release that it acknowledges the importance of up-to-date standards for emissions disclosure and target setting and remains committed to moving forward efficiently.

IPCC ya later – The US State Department will not participate in next week’s meeting of the IPCC from Feb. 24-28 in Hangzhou, China, at which the influential scientific body will determine the scope and focus of its next series of reports on global climate information, Axios reported. The next IPCC report – expected to be completed by 2029 – will be the seventh instalment, and is intended to inform policymakers worldwide of the latest scientific findings. However, the US contract for the technical support unit was also recently terminated by NASA, meaning it will not be supporting the IPCC process moving forward. The IPCC is also working on a methodology special report for CDR technology and CCUS, and the US previously had an obligation to provide technical support for the assessment. Although he once again withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement shortly after taking office in January, Trump conversely did not interfere in US engagement in the IPCC during his first term.

EMEA

Evasion unfounded – The European Commission has found no clear evidence that shipping companies are altering routes to avoid EU ETS costs, despite concerns from Mediterranean ports. Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said the issue would continue to be monitored and could be addressed in future legislative changes. The matter will be included in the upcoming EU port strategy, which aims to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness and sustainability. Additionally, the Commission plans to introduce a maritime industry strategy by the end of the year and a Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) after the summer. Discussions on integrating zero-emission vehicles into corporate fleets remain in early stages, with no proposal included in the 2025 work programme. (DVZ)

Clean boss – Dan McGrail has been appointed interim CEO of Great British Energy to advance the government’s clean energy agenda. The publicly owned company will invest in UK clean energy projects to create jobs and growth. McGrail, currently CEO of RenewableUK, has extensive experience in the sector, including leadership roles at Siemens and WindEurope.

Copycats – Following the US decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, and the recent rejection by Swiss voters of the environmentally responsible consumption initiative, the right-wing Swiss People’s Party has requested the country also withdraw from the Paris Agreement. In an interview with Swiss public television, RTS, party president Marcel Dettling said “the government can independently decide to withdraw from this agreement,” and that it had ratified the agreement before without consulting parliament or the Swiss people. A spokesperson for the People’s Party confirmed that it plans to file a related motion in parliament. However, despite being a member of the People’s Party, Swiss Environment Minister Albert Rösti rejected his party’s demand, affirming the Swiss people’s widespread support for protecting the environment. On June 2023, 60% of Swiss voters approved the new climate and innovation law, which seeks to accelerate the country’s shift from fossil fuels to renewable energies and reach zero emissions by 2050. (swissinfo.ch)

Political enablers – Six political enablers are essential for advancing ambitious climate policies, according to a recent study published in the npj Climate Action journal. These enablers include the science-policy interface, participation and deliberation, regulatory agency coordination, bottom-up processes, policy design, and communication and framing. The study highlights how Germany’s Fuel Emission Trading Act (BEHG) and the EU’s Emission Trading System (ETS2) leveraged these enablers to facilitate the adoption of carbon pricing policies, the analysis said.

ASIA PACIFIC

Not decoupled yet – Carbon emissions in South Korea are on the decline, but the pace is slower compared to that of other developed countries, according to a report released this week by the climate risk assessment team of the Bank of Korea (BOK). The paper estimated the income turning point at which absolute decoupling begins and examines the factors that accelerate or constrain the process, based on an analysis of 59 countries. The average income turning point of the 59 nations was around $23,000 per capita GDP, and high-income countries were found to have generally entered the decoupling phase. In the case of South Korea, the income turning point is estimated to be around $30,000 per capita GDP, much higher than the average. Korea’s delay in decoupling appears to be mainly due to its industrial characteristics and fossil fuel-reliant energy supply structure, according to the report.

We changed our mind –  Japan Petroleum Exploration (Japex) is prioritising investment in oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) through 2030, moving away from a previous intention to significantly grow its renewable energy business, its president said, according to Reuters. Securing a fair return from renewable energy sources such as offshore wind is challenging due to rising costs, said Japex president Michiro Yamashita. Profits from oil and gas have significantly increased following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has caused supply disruptions and driven energy prices upward.

Staying the green course – Several major Asian banks, including DBS Group, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp, Maybank, and CIMB, have reaffirmed their commitment to the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) despite a wave of exits by US, Canadian, and Australian lenders, Bloomberg reported. CIMB stated it remains an “active member,” while Maybank said it continues to support NZBA’s goals. Four of Canada’s largest banks – BMO, TD, National Bank, and CIBC – announced their withdrawal from NZBA last month. NZBA is part of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), which was launched ahead of COP26 to align global standards and practices for net-zero commitments.

Maritime carbon tax – Pacific island nations urged the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to impose a carbon tax on shipping, calling it a “matter of survival”, according to Agence France-Presse. At an IMO meeting in London, Solomon Islands’ representative Allen Kisi Ofea said there is a need for a redistribution system benefiting vulnerable nations. The World Bank in 2023 estimated that a maritime carbon tax could raise up to $3.7 tln through 2050. Shipping, which carries up to 90% of global trade and largely relies on fossil fuels, is a major greenhouse gas emitter.

Don’t push go – One of Australia’s largest iron miners has pushed back more of its sanction dates for green hydrogen projects. Fortescue, which has planned to decarbonise its mining operations by 2030 and hit a ‘real zero’ target also spent 2021 onwards developing a suite of green hydrogen projects globally, said during its financial results it was still committed to developing green hydrogen but listed a suite of reasons why not to push go now, ranging from uncertainty around US tax credits and wider political uncertainty in relation to its Arizona project, to the need for offtakers for the product for others. It pointed to the demonstration project at Christmas Creek in Western Australia as proof of commitment. 

New processes – The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed A$30 mln ($19.1 mln) to battery company VSPC’s project which seeks to commercialise a new process for manufacturing cathode powder for lithium-ion batteries, it announced. VSPC will construct a new 250 t/year demonstration facility and provide cathode powder samples to potential offtake partners and investors as a way to attract customers for a future commercial plant. ARENA said the project will create significant benefits for lithium-ion battery production, such as cost reductions, quality improvements, reduced waste, and the diversification of global battery supply chains.

Biochar J-credits – Japanese firm Nomura Securities has signed an agreement with Shonaikomekobo Corporation to collaborate on enhancing agriculture using biochar, the financial services firm said in a statement. Shonaikomekobo is a group of farmers and agricultural successors from the Shonai region of Japan engaged in rice cultivation and other agricultural activities on 780 hectares of farmland. The group will produce biochar starting Mar. 2025, by pyrolysing biomass (rice husks), which will be later spread on farmland. Meanwhile, Nomura will help expand the production and use of biochar throughout Japan in this model project by partnering with companies and agricultural corporations, contributing to the creation and sale of J-Credits.

AMERICAS

CRA cross hairs – US House Republicans, led by Majority Leader Steve Scalise, are prioritising several climate and energy-related rules for potential repeal under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), Scalise announced Thursday. Their focus is on reversing Biden administration policies that they argue increase costs, reduce energy independence, and limit consumer choice. Key targets include California’s Clean Air Act Waiver that allows the state to enforce stricter vehicle emissions standards, which Republicans claim lead to higher vehicle prices and regulatory complexity. As well, House Republicans are taking aim at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) final guidance on the voluntary carbon market, which seeks to regulate the VCM and prevent fraud by incorporating private sector principles to standardise best practices for listing tradable carbon credit derivative contracts. Two Republican senators earlier this month introduced a joint resolution to overturn the CFTC’s efforts. Scalise said other potential targets for CRA legislation in the coming weeks include:

• The EPA’s waste emissions charges for petroleum and natural gas systems, which impose fees on excessive methane emissions from oil and gas facilities.
• The DOE’s energy conservation standards for gas water heaters.
• The DOE’s energy conservation appliance standards, which expand certification and labeling requirements for energy-efficient appliances.
• The DOI’s offshore drilling equipment regulations, which introduce stricter standards for high-pressure, high-temperature offshore oil and gas drilling, potentially raising operational costs and limiting production.
• The BOEM’s marine archaeological resource protections, which require energy companies to submit archaeological impact reports before offshore drilling, potentially slowing energy projects and raising costs.

Funding frozen – Some recipients of the $20 bln in EPA climate grants held at Citibank said they were unable to tap their funding on Wednesday, E&E News reports. EPA transferred the grant money to Citibank last year, under a financial agent agreement with the Treasury Department. The Trump administration has been trying to claw the money back – prompting a top federal prosecutor to resign Tuesday rather than follow a Justice Department order to freeze the Citibank account. In her resignation letter, Denise Cheung said FBI’s Washington office did send Citibank a letter “recommending a 30-day administrative freeze on certain assets”. On Wednesday, three grant recipients told E&E News that they were unable to draw down funds from their accounts to spend on their programmes. Speaking on the condition of anonymity to avoid reprisals, the recipients said they were unsure whether EPA had frozen the funds or whether there was some other reason. They said they had not received notice from EPA or Citibank.

Derailing dollars – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has initiated a compliance review of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) regarding its adherence to federal grant agreements for the state’s high-speed rail project. The review follows an annual monitoring assessment and a recent CHSRA Inspector General report highlighting scheduling concerns for the Merced-Bakersfield segment. The FRA will examine CHSRA’s performance, financial records, and project activities, with potential consequences including withheld reimbursements or termination of funding agreements. CHSRA has been advised that any work conducted moving forward is at its own risk. The entire San Francisco to Los Angeles project was initially supposed to be completed by 2020 and cost $33 bln. Today, the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment alone would cost more than the original total. According to the US DOT, the latest estimate for San Francisco to Los Angeles is $106 bln— more than three times the original cost estimate.

Pumping up policy – A coalition of fuel and agriculture industry groups sent a letter yesterday to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, urging the agency to support robust renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2026 and beyond. The letter, signed by organisations representing petroleum refiners, fuel marketers, biofuel producers, and agricultural stakeholders, emphasises the role of liquid fuels in the US economy and calls for multi-year RFS standards to provide market stability and encourage investment. The groups also advocate for increased renewable fuel adoption in marine, rail, and aviation sectors and express their commitment to collaborating with the Trump administration on energy policy.

Bond boom – The Government of Canada plans to issue its third Canadian-dollar-denominated green bond this week, subject to market conditions, following strong investor demand for previous issuances. This follows a C$4 bln issuance in Feb. 2024, which was reopened in October 2024 for an additional C$2 bln, with total final order books exceeding C$11 bln. The bond is part of Canada’s strategy to meet its 2030 emissions reduction targets and achieve net-zero by 2050. Canada remains the first sovereign issuer to include nuclear expenditures in green bonds. The country’s green bond programme aims to mobilise private investment for sustainable projects, strengthen the domestic sustainable finance market, and support global climate initiatives. (ESG News)

Forest finance – Florence County, Wisconsin, is considering a proposal from Climate Trust, a non-profit carbon developer, to sell carbon credits through a 40-year forest management project covering nearly 40,000 acres. The project, part of the voluntary carbon market, would generate an estimated $6.39 mln in revenue over its lifespan, with most earnings in the first 20 years. Climate Trust aims to assist the county in tracking tree growth and additional carbon sequestration to create sellable credits. The proposal requires no upfront costs, though the county would be responsible for long-term monitoring and verification expenses. The forestry and parks committee is reviewing the plan, with approval contingent on ensuring funds remain in a separate account without impacting the general fund. The project must receive committee approval before advancing to the county board for final consideration.

Welcome to the New World – German forest carbon developer Climate Forest announced Thursday that it has launched operations in North America. Climate Forest is part of the Waldholz Group of companies, which are focussed on the investment in, and sustainable management of, international forests. The company reports that it has 42,000 hectares of forests worldwide under management storing 6 mln tonnes of CO2. It said that its expansion into North America to serve North American businesses “actively seeking reliable, verifiable solutions to offset their carbon footprint,” the announcement said.

That was slick – The densely forested South American country of Suriname has strong oil prospects, according to analysis by Rystad Energy, which expects that at least 10 wells will be drilled offshore in 2025-26. Simultaneously, Suriname has sought to capitalise upon its forest reserves and maintain its status as a net carbon sink by requiring oil companies to buy Paris Agreement carbon credits (‘ITMOs’) at $25/t to cover their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Many of these will likely come from Suriname’s 1.5 mln tonne V21 supply of UNFCCC REDD+ credits, which originate through a payment for ecosystem services programme under Article 5.2 – though the status of these UN REDD+ credits within Article 6 remains contested. Rystad expects capital investments in Suriname’s upstream oil and gas sector to reach $9.5 bln between 2025-27, driven by the TotalEnergies-operated GranMorgu project and other planned exploration.

VOLUNTARY

Any old battery – Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) certifier and platform Riverse has published a new methodology for battery second life that will help reduce emissions. The first-of-its-kind methodology covers projects that refurbish or regenerate used batteries, extending their usable lifetime, reducing hazardous waste, and avoiding the production of new batteries. It applies to various battery applications, including starting, lighting, and ignition (SLI), electric vehicles (EV), light means of transport (LMT) and energy storage systems (ESS), as well as various battery chemistries such as lithium-ion, NiMH and lead-acid. The global demand for batteries is skyrocketing, driven by the shift towards electric mobility and the broader energy transition. By 2030, the market for lithium-ion batteries alone is expected to hit 4.7 TWh, with electric vehicles accounting for a significant portion of this demand.  The environmental impact of batteries is significant. Producing lithium-ion batteries emits between 60 and 100 kg of CO2 equivalent per kWh.

Public consultation – Verra has launched a public consultation on its draft Tool for Quantifying Organic Carbon Stocks Using Digital Soil Mapping, which will be open from Feb. 20 to Apr. 4, 2025. The tool is designed to support the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program and can be used alongside methodologies like VM0042 for Improved Agricultural Land Management to estimate soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. Developed by Perennial Climate—a provider of measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) data for soil organic carbon—the tool provides guidance for calibrating and validating data-driven modeling methods, incorporating remote sensing and geospatial data to improve SOC measurement accuracy. Digital soil mapping aims to enhance spatial resolution and reduce costs compared to traditional soil sampling. Stakeholders can submit feedback through Verra’s digital public consultation platform until Apr. 4, 2025 (UTC-12).

Partners – Printing and projector firm Epson has partnered with shipping giant Maersk to use low-carbon fuels, such as biodiesel and green methanol, for inbound ocean transportation. The three-year collaboration aims to increase the volume of shipments using these fuels, supporting Epson’s goal of becoming carbon negative and underground resource-free by 2050. In the first year, the initiative is expected to cut 230 tonnes of CO₂e emissions. Maersk’s ECO Delivery Ocean service enables cargo owners to reduce emissions by up to 82% compared to conventional fossil fuel-based transport. The shipping company, committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2040, leads various sustainability efforts, including dual fuel-equipped ships, electric trucks, and rail logistics. Epson is also optimising container space, fitting 15% more freight per container, and integrating Shippeo software to track carbon impact.

INVESTMENT

Reform raise – Carbon Reform, a startup specialising in indoor carbon removal, has raised $4.2 mln in a convertible note round, Axios reports. The company retrofits commercial HVAC systems with air purification machines that trap CO2 and convert it into limestone pellets, which are then sold to manufacturers. Carbon Reform said its technology reduces HVAC energy use by 50%, cutting energy bills by 20%. Investors in the latest round include Azolla Ventures, Cisco Foundation, and RockCreek, bringing Carbon Reform’s total funding to over $9 mln since its 2020 launch. The company is focusing on expanding in the mid-Atlantic region, targeting utilities, office spaces, and schools.

SHIPPING

Maritime collab – Shipping companies using the ClassNK Zero Emissions Transition Accelerator (ZETA) service will gain access to OceanScore’s compliance manager, under a collaboration agreement signed between the two companies. The agreement was inked on Jan. 20 at ClassNK’s head office in Tokyo, according to an emailed statement Thursday. The ‘compliance manager’ service helps to manage the commercial processes around the European emissions regulations and enhances risk management.

AND FINALLY…

Stopped in Stockholm – Sweden’s Supreme Court has ruled that Greta Thunberg and hundreds of other activists cannot proceed with a class action lawsuit seeking stronger state action on climate change. The lawsuit, filed in 2022 by the Aurora group, argued that Sweden was violating the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) by failing to adequately address climate change. However, the court stated it could not compel the government or parliament to take specific actions. While the ruling blocks this particular case, the court indicated that a differently formulated lawsuit could be considered, focusing on whether individuals’ rights under the convention had been violated rather than mandating state measures. The Aurora group said it would review its legal options, vowing to continue pushing for stronger climate action. The decision follows a ECHR ruling last year that found Switzerland had violated rights by failing to combat climate change effectively, while rejecting similar cases against other European countries. (Reuters)

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