Presenting CP Daily, Carbon Pulse’s free newsletter. It’s a daily summary of our news plus bite-sized updates from around the world. Sign up here
TOP STORY
Tech giant buys large volume of carbon removals from US forestry project
A tech giant has agreed a long-term contract to buy 676,000 nature-based removal credits from an improved forestry management (IFM) project in the US, enabling the developer to buy the forest upfront.
ASIA PACIFIC
Indian govt finalises eight methodologies to launch domestic offset market
New Delhi has finalised procedures for its voluntary carbon market – or ‘offset mechanism’ – by approving eight methodologies ranging from renewables to reforestation projects, marking a major step in the operationalisation of the country’s carbon market, the government said in an announcement this week.
Australia circulates updated integrated farm land management method
The Australian government on Friday circulated it’s so-called “plain-English” draft of the much-anticipated integrated farm land management (IFLM) method, seen by Carbon Pulse, with the document hinting at further delays to finishing it.
Wildlife Alliance details progress addressing abuse allegations at Southern Cardamom REDD+ project
US-based carbon project developer Wildlife Alliance has submitted its mandatory 12-month progress report to Verra, detailing its efforts to address issues at the Southern Cardamom REDD+ project (SCRP).
CN Markets: CEAs extend recent losses, ETS expansion plan expected to drag down demand
Permit prices in China’s national CO2 emissions market continued to drop over the past week, with analysts expecting what they see as the unambitious plan for the country’s ETS expansion to weigh on market prices.
China seeks voluntary carbon methodology proposals under CCER programme
China has issued a call for proposals to add new carbon methodologies to the country’s national voluntary programme.
Waste management firm looks to generate carbon credits in Australia
An Australian organic waste processing firm has signed a partnership with a project developer to generate additional revenue through carbon credit markets, the companies announced Friday.
Indonesian group launches green hydrogen community ahead of government roadmap due in April
A think tank has partnered with British Embassy-backed Green Energy Transition Indonesia (GETI) to form a new green hydrogen community ahead of an expected hydrogen and ammonia roadmap to be released by the government later this year, announced at a green hydrogen event in Indonesia this week.
EMEA
First-of-a-kind agreement expected to lower public opposition to renewables in Europe
Civil society and industry groups sealed a pact on Monday to minimise local opposition to new wind, solar, and electricity grid projects, in the hope of accelerating the deployment of renewables across Europe.
BRIEFING: EU Commission to present options for CBAM export compensation in May
The European Commission will put forward options in May to address the issue of “export leakage” for goods covered by the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), ahead of a formal legislative review due before the end of the year, an official has said.
BRIEFING: EU seeking to create “domestic voluntary market” for carbon removals
With its Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) regulation, the European Union is effectively trying to create a domestic voluntary market for removals to meet its UN climate goals, a senior EU official has said.
UK forest carbon standard to publish new crediting framework in July
A UK forest carbon standard will launch a new version of its crediting code later this year, as part of its ongoing commitment to improvement, it said in an update on Friday.
FEATURE: The Ghana developers hoping to lure institutional investors to new ground — nature-based carbon projects
Ghana has partnered with a group of companies in an attempt to draw big institutional investors to the types of nature-based projects that they have so far avoided — with a series of projects that will generate millions of carbon and biodiversity credits, benefit local communities, and provide a return on investment.
Rooftop solar will pave way for decarbonisation of buildings, ahead of EU ETS2 -report
Flexible, rooftop solar installations can deliver substantial emissions savings across Europe, as citizens prepare to face the evolving framework of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS2), set to cover heating and cooling fuels from 2027.
Euro Markets: EUAs post sixth weekly loss in eight weeks despite flat trading as end of month and Q1 near
European carbon prices posted a weekly loss for the sixth time in eight weeks even after prices made marginal gains on Friday, boosted by technical buying after an early failure to make a significant break below Thursday’s lows, while traders continued to discuss a French government proposal for a price corridor to encourage a more “stable” EUA price.
Carbon markets can help tackle South Africa’s invasive tree problem -researchers
Carbon pricing mechanisms could make it financially viable to harvest invasive alien trees in South Africa for use in bioenergy and biochar production, according to a study.
AMERICAS
Republican congressmen introduce effort to repeal US EPA’s clean fuels programme
Three Republican members of the US Congress introduced a bill on Thursday that would scrap the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
Split US Supreme Court may rule against EPA in Clean Air Act venue question -expert
The US Supreme Court may be poised to rule against the EPA in a pair of cases challenging the agency’s alleged penchant to transfer lawsuits to the friendly grounds of the DC Circuit court, although the outcome may hinge on the opinion of a single justice, an environmental law specialist said Thursday.
Federal court sends Native American climate lawsuit back to Washington state court
A US federal judge has ruled that two climate lawsuits filed by Native American Tribes against several fossil fuel corporations must be returned to state court in Washington, rejecting arguments that the cases fall under federal jurisdiction.
CFTC: Traders continue to reduce CCA exposure as emitters build RGGI, LFS shorts
Market participants continued to cut their exposure to California Carbon Allowances (CCAs), while emitters went into a net short position in V25 RGGI allowances (RGAs) and once again built Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LFS) shorts, data published Friday by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) showed.
Oregon DEQ proposes to delay NOx mandates for heavy-duty vehicles by one year
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) published proposed clean truck rules on Friday that would delay the implementation of low NOx regulations to model year (MY) 2026 engines, and create additional flexibilities within the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulations.
VOLUNTARY
INTERVIEW: Outdated carbon metrics are failing to capture true impact of SLCPs
For decades, carbon markets and climate policies have relied on the Global Warming Potential (GWP100) metric to measure the impact of greenhouse gases (GHGs), but a growing number of experts say this method is flawed – particularly in its treatment of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs).
Chief executive of carbon financier steps down amid cashflow squeeze
The chief executive of a large carbon financier is stepping down from the role amid a cash squeeze at the company.
ERW could triple carbon removal potential when applied to forests -report
Applying basalt dust to forests can triple the carbon sequestration potential of enhanced rock weathering (ERW) compared to its use on croplands alone, according to a study released Friday.
Rights to carbon credits ownership deterring farmers from VCM -experts
Engaging with the voluntary carbon market is risky for farmers because it can force them to relinquish rights to the CO2 credits generated on their land, by allowing outside organisations to claim them as their own, according to a UK-based consultancy.
Major voluntary carbon registries must embrace blockchain for market to scale, claims report
Major voluntary carbon registries must shake off their scepticism of blockchain technology to enable the market to scale, according to a new report.
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.
BioCarbon opens consultation on water credit standard
BioCarbon has launched a public consultation on a new water credit standard, setting out criteria for projects seeking to advance sustainable management and conservation of water resources.
Deep sea mining talks threatened by industry giant move to bypass UN body
Country delegates have come under pressure to defend their regulatory mandate at the 30th Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for deep sea mining, as a move from a large Canadian metals company threatens to hamper multilateral efforts.
Nature tech sector map reveals gaps in data management, access to monitoring tools
A newly released map of the nature tech sector has flagged gaps in biodiversity data management as well as unresolved challenges in making advanced technologies accessible to local communities and land stewards.
—————————————————
NEW REPORT
How offtake agreements are shaping the future of biochar: Long-term offtake agreements are transforming the biochar carbon removal market — securing supply, stabilizing prices, and providing financial certainty. Supercritical’s latest report, Locked in or Left Behind?, explores key shifts in procurement strategies and what they mean for the future of carbon removal. With 62% of high-quality biochar credits for 2025 already committed and prices rising 18% in 2024, securing an offtake could be the key to guaranteeing supply and price stability.
—————————————————
EVENTS
European Climate Summit – Apr. 1-3, Lisbon – To kick off our Annual Regional Climate Summit Series of this year, we at IETA look forward to welcoming delegates this Spring to our flagship European Climate Summit (ECS) 2025, taking place at the Pavilhao Carlos Lopes. ECS will take place amid a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, even as carbon markets in the EU and globally continue to mature and expand. A new political cycle for EU climate action has begun, and the task of preparing carbon markets for their next stage presents both new challenges and opportunities. In this dynamic context, competitiveness, integrity, and innovation will be at the heart of our discussion. Be part of the conversation driving the next phase of carbon market evolution. Join us at ECS to engage with policymakers, business leaders, and climate market pioneers who are shaping the future of carbon markets. Organised by IETA, ECS is an in-person event. Register
—————————————————
ADVERTISE WITH US
Carbon Pulse has published its 2025 advertising brochure and media pack, featuring updated offerings and prices. With that, bookings are now open for advertising on our website and in our newsletters.
—————————————————
BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
INTERNATIONAL
Poisoned proposal – Island nations vulnerable to climate change say they are being cornered by the EU — particularly the Netherlands and Denmark — over a proposal they view as both unfair and ineffective for cleaning up the global shipping sector, Climate Home reports. During Singapore Maritime Week, representatives from the European Commission, Denmark, and the Netherlands held talks with officials from China, Japan, and Singapore. According to official meeting notes reviewed by the news website, discussions focused on an emissions trading proposal known as “J9”. Singapore introduced this plan at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in February as part of ongoing negotiations to establish a landmark system for taxing pollution. The J9 proposal offers an alternative to the more comprehensive emissions levy originally backed by small island states. That broader tax is now supported by shipping-dependent countries like Panama, Liberia, the UK, Nigeria, Kenya, and others. However, several major emerging economies — including Brazil and China — oppose the full levy, citing concerns it could raise shipping costs and hurt their economic competitiveness.
Extension alert – The deadlines for two calls for input on the Article 6.4 mechanism registry have now been extended, the Supervisory Body (SBM) for the mechanism confirmed Friday. The calls for input focus on the ownership of account holdings in the A6.4 mechanism registry and the provision of a functionality for security interest arrangements in the mechanism registry through a pledge system. Both calls for input are open until Apr. 7. Experts are also sought for UN carbon market appeal and grievance processes, with this timeline also now extended. Applications are encouraged from experts with experience in international and administrative law and knowledge of carbon markets, environmental and socioeconomic fields, and scientific fields relevant to climate change, the SBM said. The deadline to apply has been extended until Apr. 26. The Methodological Expert Panel (MEP) will also hold its fifth meeting in Bonn from Apr. 7-11.
Madness – Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton has vowed to withdraw Australia’s bid to host COP31 in 2026 if he were to win office at the May 3 election, the ABC reports. Dutton on the election campaign trail over the weekend said the idea of hosting the talks was “madness” and falsely claimed hosting the UN event would cost tens of billions of dollars. Australia is competing against Turkiye to secure a bid that is likely to be resolved at the mid-year UN intersessional talks in Bonn. Lowy Institute’s Melanie Pill told the outlet the cost for hosting the talks in Madrid in 2020 was around A$100 mln. Labor put aside A$75 mln for “international climate leadership” in its latest budget.
EMEA
On your marks – The European Commission on Friday announced the adoption of procedures for the authorisation of declarants under the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). “This will allow importers and indirect customs representatives to apply for the status of authorised CBAM declarant” when the EU’s carbon border fee starts applying as of January 2026, the Commission said in a note published online. The rules determine the communication between the applicant, the competent authority and the Commission, the format of the application and procedures for submitting it via the CBAM registry, as well as the procedure for national authorities to follow in processing applications and identifying declarants. As a next step, the Commission said it would launch the Authorisation Management Module (AMM) on March 31 in the CBAM Registry. This is the module that importers and national customs authorities will need to use for declaring CBAM goods imported into the EU as of next year. More on that here.
Changed strategy – Climate activist group Just Stop Oil has said its ending its protest campaign after its demand to end new oil and gas licencing became UK government policy. The Labour government is currently consulting on the future of North Sea energy, including on how to deliver its manifesto commitment not to issue licences to explore new fields while not revoking existing licences. JSO’s decision comes amid growing questions about the effectiveness of disruptive protests, with climate activists now more likely to receive jail terms compared to when the group was founded three years ago. JSO supporters have been arrested 3,300 times and imprisoned 180 times during that time, for protests including bringing the M25 to a standstill and throwing tinned soup at Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ painting. The group said it will hold one final protest in April in Parliament Square in London and is drawing up a fresh strategy. (FT)
Airport expansion enquiry – MPs have launched an enquiry into whether the government’s support for airport expansion projects, including those at Heathrow and London City Airport, will jeapordise its ability to deliver legally binding climate and environmental commitments. This follows calls by the Climate Change Committee for demand management of aviation, though the government has said it won’t accept its recommendation to halt all airport expansion projects until a UK-wide passenger capacity management framework is in place to assess the aviation sector’s climate impact. The enquiry has been timed as the government prepares a delivery plan for the Sixth Carbon Budget, covering 2033 to 2037, for which it has been court-ordered to complete by Oct. 29. (edie.net)
Say no to tax – Ghana’s parliament has repealed the controversial emissions levy following public outcry and concerns from businesses. The Emissions Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025, is now awaiting presidential assent. The levy introduced in 2023 by the previous administration was intended to tax emissions from the usage of fuel but faced strong opposition from general public and industries. After scrapping the levy unanimously, the parliamentarians said they will explore alternative policies to promote green initiatives without burdening the public.
ASIA PACIFIC
Outside help – The World Bank will work with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources through its Partnership for Market Implementation (PMI) to help develop the Central Asian country’s ETS. A $4.8-mln grant has been awarded for a project that will be implemented by mid-2028 to make the scheme more effective and align it with best international standards, the bank announced.
Loan product – Two Japanese firms, Asuene and Carbon EX, have partnered with Nippon Life Insurance to introduce special loans, as announced on Friday. These offerings, collaboratively created by the three companies, represent the first financial products in the life insurance sector that combine loans with carbon credits. The products are designed to help clients utilise carbon credits and improve their climate strategy, the companies said.
Getting started – Papua New Guinea and Japan recently held their first joint committee meeting under the JCM, adopting all the necessary rules and guidelines for the mechanism to get off the ground in the country. The committee also agreed a no-objection decision on a first project in PND, introducing energy efficient transmission conductors to the Port Moresby grid. PNG and Japan agreed to set up a JCM partnership in Nov. 2022.
Making progress – An Australian carbon credit fund, launched by Silva Capital in August, has so far raised A$100 mln ($63 mln) and planted 100,000 saplings. The cash raised progresses the Silva Carbon Origination Fund achieving its A$250 mln target. The fund was launched with A$80 mln in its initial close from miner Rio Tinto and airline Qantas who will likely use the Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) generated to go towards meeting their Safeguard Mechanism liabilities.
Digital project – The Macao International Carbon Emission Exchange (MEX), which launched in October last year, has teamed up with Chinese tech giant Ant Group and DeepStone to launch a green project digital asset tokenization plan. Though thin on detail, the partnership is part of MEX’s efforts to develop cross-border trading solutions for carbon and green energy assets, reports Macau Business.
Starting small – Japan is continuing to develop its domestic blue carbon programme, though credits issuances are minor in the starting phase. On Friday, Yokosuka city announced it had been issued two credits for planting seaweed across 6,800 sq.m around the coast of Nagai. Four different organisations were named as buyers of the credits, including major energy firm JERA, which bought 0.2 units at an undisclosed price.
AMERICAS
Funds under fire – US House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R) has requested documents from eight environmental non-profits that received grants through the US EPA’s $20 bln Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. The letters, sent Thursday, are part of an ongoing Republican-led investigation into the fund’s disbursement, which critics say may have involved conflicts of interest with the Biden administration. Several of the groups targeted by the inquiry are currently suing the Trump administration to maintain their grant contracts. (E&E News)
EPA Q&A – Climate United, one of the recipients of $20 bln in EPA clean energy awards from the Biden administration that have been frozen, released responses to 35 questions it was required to answer as part of an oversight request from the new Trump administration. The group said that 96% of their total expenditures and investments to date had provided financial assistance directly to communities and projects, exceeding the EPA-approved budget amount of 88%. Of its total expenditures, 2.8% was used for programme administration costs, while 1.1% supported predevelopment and market building activities in communities, it said. Overall, the organisation had committed $542 mln to projects and was on track to meet or exceed its targets for the first year. Earlier this month, the organisation sued the EPA, its administrator Lee Zeldin, and Citibank over alleged unlawful termination of its near $7 bln clean energy grant awarded via the IRA. Last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked the EPA from reclaiming $20 bln from grant recipients. The other seven awardees have not released their EPA responses.
DAC derailed – The US DOE is considering significant funding cuts to two major Direct Air Capture (DAC) projects in Texas and Louisiana, which were initially awarded $550 mln and $500 mln, respectively, under the former Biden administration. The projects—Louisiana’s Project Cypress, led by Battelle, Climeworks, and Heirloom Carbon Technologies, and the South Texas DAC Hub, led by Occidental Petroleum’s subsidiary 1PointFive and partners—aim to remove over 2 MtCO2 annually. They are now under review by Energy Secretary Chris Wright as part of a broader reassessment of Biden-era programmes amid budget negotiations prioritising tax cuts. (Reuters)
Falling short – Judge Amit Mehta from the federal court for the District of Columbia ruled on Thursday that the Interior Department failed to consider effects of a 2023 offshore oil and gas lease sale in the Gulf of America on emissions and an endangered Rice whale. E&E reported that the ruling stated that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management fell short in its National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) review of the congressionally mandated lease sale that netted nearly $264 mln.
Pipeline challenge struck – A federal DC circuit court of appeals denied a challenge from green groups Healthy Gulf and Sierra Club against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) approval of Driftwood Pipeline’s project in Louisiana. The court ruled on Friday that FERC had appropriately addressed the environmental impacts of the two natural gas pipelines under NEPA and the Natural Gas Act. Petitioners had argued that the project would indirectly increase GHG emissions by spurring new natural gas drilling and that FERC acted arbitrarily and capriciously by refusing to consider these effects in its NEPA analysis. However, in its decision, the court wrote that under NEPA, the agency needed to consider only those environmental effects that were “reasonably foreseeable” and the agency could not predict the number or location of new wells that would be drilled as a result of production demand created by the project. Furthermore, FERC, in its approval, had determined that the pipelines met a market need and the project’s public benefits would outweigh its adverse effects, both issues the petitioners had contested to no avail.
Adjustments approved – Washington’s Senate Environment, Energy, & Technology Committee on Friday approved House Bill 1975 (HB 1975) and House Bill 1409 (HB 1409). HB 1975 limits the price ceiling under the state’s cap-and-trade programme to $80 in 2026–27. It also directs the Department of Ecology (ECY) to offer all allowances scheduled to be placed in the Allowance Price Containment Reserve through 2040 during the second compliance period that would span 2027-30. Meanwhile, HB 1409 directs the ECY to increase carbon intensity (CI) stringency under Washington Clean Fuel Standard (WCFS) to 45% from 20% below 2017 levels by 2038, and up to 55% in case certain conditions are met. The committee did not reveal vote counts for the bills during the session. Both bills have been referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Forest disservice – A coalition of environmental groups sued the US Forest Service over its Natahala-Pisgah forest plans in North Carolina developed in 2023, according to a Thursday press release. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) filed the lawsuit in a US district court for the Western District of North Carolina on behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, MountainTrue, and Sierra Club. The lawsuit claimed the agency violated federal law by downplaying the harmful impacts of expanding logging and by failing to include binding standards to restore important native ecosystems. The Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan outlined where activities like logging and roadbuilding would occur, and set objectives for future timber harvests, aiming to quintuple the amount of logging, without adjusting for damage to forests from Hurricane Helene, SELC said.
Tax axed – As of Apr. 1, the British Columbia provincial government will eliminate the consumer carbon tax, following the federal government’s removal of its own consumer carbon pricing. Legislation to formally repeal the provincial tax will be introduced on Mar. 31. The province has directed fuel sellers and natural gas retailers to stop collecting the tax from consumers by the effective date. While the tax will no longer apply to individuals, the province will maintain its output-based carbon pricing system for large industrial emitters.
Energy exit – Richard Kauffman has stepped down as chair of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) after nearly 12 years in the role. A central figure in the state’s energy policy, Kauffman previously served as former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s “energy czar” and was known for advancing clean energy initiatives and encouraging private sector investment in decarbonisation. His resignation from the state agency took effect on Mar. 12. NYSERDA and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation are currently overseeing the development of New York’s Cap-and-Invest (NYCI) programme. (E&E News)
Biome boost – The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) and Petrobras will sign an agreement on Mar. 31 to purchase carbon credits from reforestation projects in the Amazon. The deal includes the launch of the ProFloresta+ programme, which aims to finance efforts to restore degraded areas in the Amazon biome. The initiative follows a public consultation led by BNDES and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to evaluate carbon certification needs in Brazil, where most certifications are currently conducted by international entities using methods suited to temperate forests. Petrobras entered the carbon market in 2023 and previously purchased 175,000 credits. (Eixos)
VOLUNTARY
Stepping down – Trade association CCS Europe has announced that its director Chris Davies was stepping down, two years into the job. Davies, a former MEP for the UK Liberal Party, was introduced to CCS 17 years ago when he was in the European Parliament, becoming the rapporteur for the EU’s CCS directive. “In another 17 years, if I am still around, I might be approaching 88. By that time, I hope industry will no longer be emitting CO2 and Europe will be a leader in the technologies than can prevent it,” he wrote in a blog post upon his departure. His successor, Bergur Larsson Lokke Rasmussen is also a former MEP, from the Danish Liberal Party. Rasmussen joined the European Parliament to serve in November 2022 to serve until the remainder of the term, in July 2024. “My plea to Commissioners and sometimes colleagues Ribera, Sejourne, Jorgensen, and Hoekstra is this – please get out there, be champions of CCS, and persuade national ministers of the need to act,” Davies wrote.
Methane monitoring milestone – Zefiro Methane, a US-based environmental services company focused on methane abatement, has engaged TUV SUD America as the third-party validation and verification body for its projects listed on the ACR registry. TUV SUD has begun site visits to assess emissions measurements and will verify whether the projects meet ACR standards for issuing carbon credits. These credits, once approved, aim to be added to Zefiro’s offset portfolio and used to fulfil pre-sale agreements with buyers such as Mercuria Energy America and EDF Trading.
INVESTMENT
Series C – Persefoni AI, a sustainability management and AI platform for companies and financial institutions, has announced a $23 mln in Series C extension funding. The round raises the total amount of investment in Persefoni to $179 mln, stated a release Friday. It saw participation from both new and existing investors, including a European luxury fashion house, TPG Rise, Rice Investment Group, Clearvision Ventures, NGP Energy Technology Partners, Prelude Ventures, and co-founder and CEO Kentaro Kawamori.
AND FINALLY…
Game on, emissions off – Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced the launch of CleanPlay, a third-party application now available on the PlayStation 5, that enables users to monitor energy usage during gaming, contribute to renewable energy projects, and earn digital rewards. Developed by industry veterans Richard Hilleman and David Helgason, CleanPlay aims to support climate change mitigation by increasing investment in sustainable energy sources. The app provides educational content on zero-carbon energy initiatives and allows users to direct their contributions toward preferred projects. The initiative aligns with Sony Group’s broader Road to Zero environmental strategy, which includes energy efficiency measures such as adaptive charging and low-power rest modes on PlayStation consoles.
Got a tip? How about some feedback? Email us at news@carbon-pulse.com
