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TOP STORY

BRIEFING: Consensus forming around credit trading system for shipping emissions at IMO talks

Countries around the world are edging closer to consensus on a credit trading system for global shipping emissions, with the idea of a levy on all greenhouse gas emissions from the sector still on the table at the start of UN talks in London this week.

EMEA

EU nations prepare reaction to US tariffs, steel sector hanging

The EU’s 27 nations will prepare countermeasures targeting steel and aluminium imports to be implemented from Apr. 15, without waiting indefinitely for trade negotiations with the US indefinitely, ministers said on Monday.

INTERVIEW: EU chemical sector trapped in decarbonisation catch-22

The European chemicals industry has so far met its EU decarbonisation targets thanks to efficiency improvements in production, but going further will require shifting to hydrogen or electrification technologies that are either unavailable or too expensive to keep the sector profitable, a senior industry executive told Carbon Pulse.

EU low-carbon power surges past 70% as solar overtakes coal for first time -report

The European Union generated 71% of its electricity from clean sources in 2024, far outpacing the global average and marking a critical turning point in the bloc’s energy transition, according to new data.

EIB backs Swedish BECCS plant with €260 mln loan

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €260 million loan for a Swedish energy company to build the country’s first large-scale bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) facility.

UK shortlists two dozen clean hydrogen projects for government support

The UK government has shortlisted more than two dozen clean hydrogen projects for a subsidy scheme aimed at helping to decarbonise heavy-emitting industries and driving economic growth in the country’s industrial heartlands, it announced on Monday.

UK launches mechanism to fund ‘super batteries’

UK energy regulator Ofgem has launched a ‘cap and floor’ scheme to attract investment into long duration energy storage (LDES) facilities to support the expansion of renewable energy, with the first window for applications now open.

INTERVIEW: 80% of European landowners want to profit from carbon markets

As many as 80% of European landowners would consider planting trees to earn carbon income, but the costs involved and lack of knowledge are holding them back, according to a nature-based removals developer.

OECD urges Israel to raise carbon tax, boost climate efforts across power, building sectors

Israel’s newly implemented carbon tax applies too low a rate to natural gas and risks undermining the country’s climate targets, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said in a report published last week.

Kenya issues reforms to ‘green’ the banking sector, mitigate climate risks

The Central Bank of Kenya has issued a green finance taxonomy and a disclosure framework for climate-related risks, in an effort to green the banking sector and mitigate the risks associated with climate change.

Euro Markets: EUAs bounce back from six-month low as markets whipsaw on tariff rumours

European carbon prices extended their tariff-induced plunge for a fourth day but ended the day markedly above a six-month low reached in early trading, as energy markets clawed back most of their early losses while equities slumped as there appeared to be no sign of softening in the US position on tariffs.

AMERICAS

RGGI Market: RGAs tumble 8% Friday along with macro selloff

Over-extended RGGI Allowance (RGA) prices tumbled Friday as traders unwound gains amidst macro tariff-driven turmoil.

US EPA grants CO2 sequestration permits to Texas DAC facility

The US EPA announced Monday that it has issued permits for three carbon injection wells related to a Texas project that is slated to become one of the largest direct air capture (DAC) facilities in the world.

California lawmakers seek state agency collaboration to assess life-cycle emissions of forests, agricultural biomass

State senators in California are considering a bill that would push three departments in the state to develop protocols for quantifying the avoided emissions and benefits of forest and agricultural biomass.

Louisiana lawmakers push for additional regulations on geological CO2 sequestration

Louisiana legislators this month filed bills to increase geological CO2 sequestration regulations in the state, including one to ban such activities until mid-2026 to assess risks and another to introduce an injection tax for the process.

Maryland lawmakers advance bill delaying implementation of clean vehicle standards

Maryland lawmakers passed a bill to delay the implementation of the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation until a needs assessment and deployment plan is published.

Brazilian project developer receives $17 mln backing from banks via national climate fund

A Sao Paulo-based carbon removal (CDR) project developer has received R$100 million ($16.9 mln) in backing from two Brazilian banks, becoming the first company to fund a reforestation project via a national climate fund.

Global refrigerant group enters Canadian market with strategic buy

A global specialist in lifecycle management of refrigerants and fire suppressants, which develops offset projects that abate ozone-depleting substances (ODS), has acquired a Canadian company in the refrigerant sector.

ASIA PACIFIC

Singapore firm launches massive reforestation project in Mongolia

A Singapore-based company has embarked on what it claims is the world’s largest boreal reforestation project, aiming to restore 750,000 hectares of degraded forest land in northern Mongolia.

INTERNATIONAL

Singapore, Chile sign Article 6 implementation agreement

Singapore has signed an implementation agreement with Chile under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement to collaborate on carbon credits, its Ministry of Trade and Industry announced Monday.

Optional targets, exclusion of Scope 3 in SBTi draft update could hinder CDR investment -report

The inclusion of optional targets and exclusion of Scope 3 emissions in the Science Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) draft update to its Corporate Net-Zero Standard could hinder investment in CO2 removals (CDR), according to a report published Monday.

Latest energy scenarios broadly anticipate decline in CO2 emissions through 2050 -analysis

An analysis of 13 different energy scenarios found that the carbon intensity of energy is broadly expected to decline through to 2050 as accelerated electrification is led by wind and solar power generation.

Planet hit 40% renewable electricity last year -report

Over 40% of the electricity supplied across the world last year came from renewable or clean sources, the first time that threshold has been breached, with solar hitting a six-year high in terms of new installations, a think tank said Tuesday.

No place for perfectionism in climate policy, says Figueres

Veteran climate leader Christiana Figueres has defended recent policy simplifications measures put forward in the European Union, arguing that broader participation in sustainability policies was more important than perfectionist measures.

VOLUNTARY

VCM Report: Carbon market concerns build amid geopolitical turbulence

Hopes for a rebound in the voluntary carbon market remain on ice as participants cited rising concern on demand over the impact of geopolitical context and notably the actions of US President Donald Trump.

Voluntary carbon integrity initiative appoints new expert panel

The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) on Monday unveiled a new set of expert panel members for the 2025-28 term.

Carbon credits can scale clean cooking, but financial support still lags -report

Carbon credits have the potential to drive large-scale investment into clean cooking solutions in Africa, but limited engagement from financial regulators continues to stifle market growth, a policy brief published Monday has found.

Gold Standard launches methodology to capture emissions from elevators

Gold Standard has approved a new methodology aimed at reducing emissions from elevator operations by capturing and reusing regenerative power, the standard body said Monday.

BIODIVERSITY (FREE TO READ)

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US moves to reduce environmental protection across 45 mln ha of forests

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a memo aiming to reduce environmental safeguards across over 45 million hectares of forest, amid the administration’s ongoing push to increase logging activities in the country.

Half of world’s mangroves threatened by sea level rise, tropical cyclones -study

The ongoing climate crisis could jeopardise half of the world’s mangrove ecosystems by the end of the century, with some of the most biodiverse regions in Southeast Asia facing the biggest risks, according to a new paper.

Texas living shoreline project to generate blue carbon credits

A new shoreline restoration project in Texas plans to generate blue carbon credits to recover the construction costs of developing the project.

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EVENTS

Carbon Forward Turkiye – May 7-8, Izmir – Following the success of our inaugural event in Izmir, we are excited to host the second annual instalment of Carbon Forward Turkiye. With the country about to launch its national ETS, attendees will learn what’s in store for participants and other stakeholders.  Also, take a tour of the region’s other carbon markets, consider the financial impact of the EU’s CBAM, and hear from experts about developments in the voluntary carbon market, CO2 removals, CORSIA, and decarbonisation in the power, industrial, and shipping sectors. The agenda will be released shortly but registration is now open, with a 30% super-early bird discount available for a limited time.

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Job listings this week

• Climate and Land Use Data Scientist, Conservation International – Eastern Cape, South Africa

See all listings or post a job

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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.

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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

INTERNATIONAL

COP prep – EU commissioner Wopke Hoekstra will be in Brazil to strengthen the EU’s cooperation with the COP30 presidency. Hoekstra will meet with the Minister of Indigenous People, and have bilateral meetings in Brasilia with COP30 president-designate and various ministers. Finally, Hoekstra will meet with the private sector to discuss the new EU Clean Industrial Deal, and participate in a roundtable with Brazilian climate NGOs and think-tanks.

Loving the love hotels – As Belem prepares to host COP30 in November, the Amazonian city is facing a major accommodation shortage, with 50,000 delegates expected to attend the UN climate summit, Climate Home reports. Organisers and locals are scrambling to find creative solutions, including converting classrooms, military barracks and even docking cruise ships and yachts to provide temporary lodging. The state government of Para has pledged to deliver 24,000 extra beds, with 7,300 to come from public institutions. A new “COP30 Village” near the main conference venues will host 400 suites for world leaders. An official accommodation platform is also set to launch to manage bookings and curb price spikes. Enterprising residents are offering short-term rentals, with some turning to unconventional options such as floating guesthouses and refurbished love hotels. One river tour operator is converting yachts and ferry boats into group accommodation, customising services to meet delegates’ needs. On Outeiro island, a cargo port will be repurposed to host two cruise ships, offering 4,500 beds. However, this will require significant port upgrades and environmental measures.

EMEA

Turkish debate – The Turkish Parliament is due to discuss the country’s first national climate law this week, Hurriyet Daily News reported. The proposed law, put forward by the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party in February, would set a goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2053 and establish a long-awaited emissions trading system. The Turkish ETS was originally slated to start with a pilot phase this year, and enter full operation in 2027, but has been delayed until the law is finalised. The Environment Ministry will be charged with developing incentive mechanisms for decarbonisation, and establishing a Turkish Green Taxonomy, according to Hurriyet. Turkiye is also considering establishing its own border carbon adjustment scheme for imported goods.

ZEV U-turn – The UK government drew criticism on Monday for its decision to loosen its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, rather than reinforcing its commitment to phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. Bob Ward of the Grantham Research Institute at LSE called it an “extremely disappointing” U-turn that adds uncertainty for car makers and investors in an already uncertain global economy. The government announced changes to the mandate on Sunday, aimed at increasing flexibility in the mandate for manufacturers up to 2030, so that more cars can be sold in later years, and allow hybrid cars to be sold until 2035. It will also move ahead with tax breaks to help people switch to EVs, and develop charge points.

Get low – Further regulatory changes are now needed to address challenges in developing and financing the 1,600 approved projects under France’s Low Carbon Label (Label Bas Carbone) scheme, the government has said in an update Monday. Key proposals including only permitting up to three credit transfers post-verification to align with the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD); introducing credit cancellation once a financier uses a unit for climate goals, preventing resale or reuse; incorporating updated technologies, such as a project registry and public website, to enhance transparency; and improving project management by streamlining verification procedures, enabling mandate transfers, and allowing de-labeling for non-compliant projects. These changes aim to support transparency, traceability, and credibility in sustainable project financing. A public consultation on the proposed reforms is now open until Apr. 28.

CO2 terminal – The European Commission announced on Monday it had given the green light to the creation of a joint venture between Air Liquide and Fluxys for the development and operation of a CO2 liquefaction and export terminal in the port of Antwerp. “The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in the European Economic Area,” the EU executive said in a statement. The new joint venture “will build, own and operate an open-access CO2 liquefaction terminal in the Antwerp port area for subsequent transportation by sea and permanent geological storage of the CO2 in the North Sea,” the Commission said in its decision.

Nuclear dialogue – The EU commissioner for energy and housing, Dan Jorgensen, hosted a dialogue with the nuclear industry on Monday “to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the sector in Europe,” the European Commission has announced. The EU executive has started working on an updated Nuclear Indicative Programme (NIPP) under the Euratom treaty, aiming to “provide a comprehensive overview of costs and investment needs covering the entire lifecycle of nuclear installations in the EU”, the Commission said. “This meeting will be an important opportunity to engage with the sector, including the necessary investments,” it added in a statement. The dialogue will also focus on the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) in the EU, as the Commission aims to enable their widespread adoption by the early 2030s. “Nuclear energy will also play an important role in the electrification and decarbonisation of the EU energy system,” Jorgensen said. “The objective of today’s dialogue is to better understand the sector’s investment needs and challenges, as well as the potential tools for the EU nuclear industry to continue contributing to the clean energy transition.” Nearly half of the EU27 member states plan to use nuclear energy for decarbonization and security of supply, as outlined in their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).

Wind farm expansion – The UK government has approved plans to extend the Rampion offshore wind farm off the Sussex coast by adding 90 turbines, which is expected to add about 1.2 GW of clean power for British households and businesses. The Rampion 2 project should create about 4,000 jobs in the construction phase, and its approval now means the government has approved enough new clean energy projects to power 1.8 mln British households since it came to power in July last year. (Guardian)

You won’t be mine – West Cumbria Mining (WCM) has withdrawn its long-contested planning application to develop the Woodhouse Colliery coal mine near Whitehaven, according to correspondence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government seen by edie. The mining company had spent over a decade attempting to open the site, which would have extracted 2.7 Mt of coal annually, intended for steelmaking rather than electricity generation. Coal-fired power has ended in the UK, with the last station closing in Sep. 2024. Cumbria County Council approved the project in 2020, but the UK government later called in the decision to assess its climate compatibility. Then-Secretary of State Michael Gove granted approval in 2022, citing a “neutral effect” on climate change. However, a High Court ruling in 2023 found Gove’s decision unlawful under the Climate Change Act 2008, as amended to reflect the UK’s 2050 net zero target. Faced with a reassessment of its application by the new Secretary of State, Angela Rayner – who would be required to consider full climate impacts – WCM opted to withdraw the plan. A 2021 report by Cumbria Action for Sustainability estimated that 9,000 green economy jobs could be created in the region by 2035, far surpassing the 500 roles the colliery was expected to support.

Farming emissions – Agricultural GHG emissions in England could fall by nearly a third if feasible mitigation measures were adopted at scale, a new study published in Springer Nature found. Using the Catchment Systems Model, researchers estimated current median emissions at 4,606 kg CO₂e/ha, which could drop by 30% through interventions like nutrient management, manure handling, and reduced tillage. Phosphorus and sediment loss in polluted catchments could also fall by around 34%, with some practices offering biodiversity gains, the analysis said. Structural land-use change and financial incentives may still be needed to meet net zero targets, it also said.

Splitting the Atome – Green fertiliser producer Atome, listed in London, has signed a $465 mln fixed-price, lump-sum EPC contract with Casale, a fertiliser and ammonia technology company, to develop the Villeta Project in Paraguay. The agreement brings the company closer to its Final Investment Decision (FID), targeted for the end of H1 2025. It follows the announcement of Hy24, a leading hydrogen investor, as anchor and lead equity investor with up to $115 mln committed. In further progress toward project financing, Dutch development bank FMO has proposed a loan of up to $200 mln.

Decarbonisation deal – BBVA, a Spanish multinational financial services company, and Tecnicas Reunidas, a Spanish construction and engineering company, have signed a MoU to collaborate on initiatives aimed at accelerating the energy transition and industrial decarbonisation. The agreement focuses on supporting “track,” Tecnicas Reunidas’ specialised unit for low-carbon projects, particularly in Spain, Europe, and the US. Services include project development in green and blue ammonia, carbon management, and low-carbon technology engineering. Under the partnership, BBVA will provide advisory and financial services to advance decarbonisation efforts, aligning with its broader strategy to expand sustainable financing, including a €700 bln investment target for 2025-29.

ASIA PACIFIC

Sustainable manufacturing – India’s largest offset developer EKI Energy has acquired a minority stake in Chennai-based Tvasta Manufacturing Solutions, which specialises in research, design, and manufacturing through 3D printing technology, with an aim to reduce material wastage by making processes more efficient, it said. The investment will be aimed at generating returns on surplus funds while supporting innovative 3D printing technology.

Conflicted – Mark Patterson, New Zealand’s associate agriculture and rural communities minister, refused to answer questions about disclosed conflicts of interest on carbon markets, Newsroom reported. The latest update to Cabinet’s list of ministerial conflicts of interest showed Patterson has a “potential conflict” between government decisions in relation to the pricing or other settings of the ETS and a pecuniary interest in a farming and forestry company. According to Patterson’s LinkedIn, he has served as director of Ngapara Farms Limited since 2025. The update document however said Patterson will not receive papers or participate in certain decisions regarding the pricing or other settings of ETS, effective Aug. 2024.

Entry – South Korea’s SK Electlink, which provides electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, has decided to enter the voluntary carbon market, according to Business Korea. With 4,800 fast chargers and other EV infrastructure deployed across the country, the company is reportedly planning to secure 3.2 mln carbon credits by 2033.

Customers needed – Japan’s Sanix Engineering has partnered with ByWill, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality in all 47 prefectures in the country, for the creation and sale of carbon credits, the companies announced Monday. Sanix Engineering, with a network of over 30,000 customers, will be responsible for introducing corporate clients.

Legislate and they will come – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has expanded its presence in Australia westwards, establishing a new branch office in Perth to serve wider Western Australia with an eye on the decarbonisation space. It called the move a “strategic expansion” that would help it deliver solutions for a more sustainable future. The company noted state government legislative and support measures, and that it would look at carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) infrastructure development, as well as hydrogen, and ammonia. Labor won a third term at the WA March election and has outlined a focus on clean energy and manufacturing. 

Undeterred – Taiwan will press ahead with its climate targets despite fresh economic strain from new US tariffs, Environment Minister Peng Ching-ming said on Monday, as per Taiwanese television broadcaster TVBS. The island aims to cut emissions 38% from 2005 levels by 2035, despite what Peng called market distortions greater than those triggered by the EU’s CBAM policy. He unveiled plans for deeper private sector collaboration and a NT$100 billion ($3 bln) green growth fund to support low-carbon technologies. Taiwan will also develop its own carbon border adjustment mechanism to protect domestic industries and strengthen its trade position.

In the weeds – Representatives from South Korean government agency the Marine Environment Corp. last week met with private sector companies to discuss blue carbon. The parties agreed to cooperate on issues such as seaweed and kelp going forward, with the agency stressing the need to develop a monitoring system to establish better GHG-related data related to the issue. At the same time, officials from the Wando County Office presented Japan’s early-days J-Blue Credit system, and proposed South Korea could consider something similar.

AMERICAS

Win for wetlands – A jury in Louisiana has ordered oil and gas company Chevron USA to pay $744 mln in damages for violating the State and Local Coastal Resources Management Act, which requires oil sites to be restored after operations conclude. The verdict, issued on Apr. 4, supported the Plaquemines Parish’s claim that Chevron failed to restore areas affected by fossil fuel development since 1980, contributing to coastal erosion.

Roll it back – The US EPA is rescinding Dec. 2020 Guidance on the Preparation of Clean Air Act Section (CAA) 179B Demonstrations for Nonattainment Areas Affected by International Transport of Emissions, the agency announced Monday. The EPA said the guidance made it unnecessarily difficult for states to demonstrate that foreign air pollution harms Americans within their borders. The purpose of the guidance was to assist state agencies considering development of a demonstration that a nonattainment area would be able to attain and maintain, or would have attained, the relevant National Ambient Air Quality Standard for emissions emanating from outside of the US, according to historical record of the document.

One step closer – Washington’s Senate Ways and Means Committee on Monday approved House Bill 1409 (HB 1409), to now be considered by the chamber’s Rules committee. HB 1409 directs the state’s Department of Ecology (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. Several committee members voted against the measure on Monday, although the committee did not reveal vote counts for the bills during the session. Notably, an amendment put forward by Senator Keith Wagoner (R) to eliminate the revised CI reduction targets was rejected, despite his argument that the WCFS would lead to higher retail gasoline prices and that the state would struggle to meet the higher targets. In addition, the committee passed substitute House Bill 1912 (HB 1912), which will also be considered in the Rules committee. HB 1912 mandates ECY to publish guidelines by Oct. 1 for potentially eligible users of exempt agricultural fuel to receive compensation under the cap-and-trade programme.

Better buses – BAE Systems, a global defence, aerospace, and security company, will supply 42 Gen3 electric drive systems to New Flyer for integration into the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s new hybrid-electric bus fleet. The Gen3 system includes a traction motor, onboard energy storage, and smart power electronics designed to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. BAE’s electric drive technology has been in operation with SFMTA since 2007. The hybrid buses will also feature geofencing and engine start-stop capabilities to allow zero-emission operation in designated zones without the need for external charging.

Fuel for thought – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), a municipally owned natural gas utility, has issued a Request for Proposals for a geothermal site survey and feasibility study in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia (SDP). The study will assess the potential for a closed-loop geothermal system to provide heating and cooling at John F. McCloskey Elementary School and the adjacent Dorothy Emanuel Recreation Center. The initiative supports PGW’s clean energy goals and the district’s GreenFutures Plan. Interested firms must submit proposals by Apr. 15, 2025.

Carbon collaboration – Hyphen Global AG, a Switzerland-based company specialising in atmospheric-based digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (aMRV) solutions, has partnered with First 30×30 Canada, to support Indigenous-led land conservation efforts. Through this collaboration, Hyphen will provide on-site carbon measurement and verification tools to help Indigenous communities accurately quantify GHG reductions and removals from nature-based projects. The initiative aims to ensure environmental accountability and enable access to premium carbon markets.

Steam solutions – Zero Industrial, a US-based company focused on decarbonising industrial heat through thermal energy storage (TES) systems, has closed a $10 mln funding round led by Vancouver-based venture firm Evok Innovations with participation from private equity Rusheen Capital Management. Founded in 2024, the company provides fully financed TES projects for industrial facilities and sells clean heat or steam through long-term ‘Heat-as-a-Service’ contracts, which helps customers to reduce reliance on fossil fuels without upfront capital. The funding will support project deployment across North America, targeting industries seeking to cut emissions and energy costs by replacing gas, oil, or coal with stored renewable electricity.

Polyglot law – A federal deputy of the Brazilian state of Parana has sent a letter to the finance minister asking that the nation’s carbon market law, passed last year, be translated into various other Indigenous and native languages to improve inclusion and transparency. In the letter, Deputy Aliel Machado said that translation would reinforce “Brazil’s commitment to transparency and inclusion in the climate and environmental debate.” The letter follows an ordinance published in February that sought to improve access to federal public forests for Indigenous and traditional communities. (Folha de S.Paulo)

Green growth – Paraguay’s environment ministry (MADES) and the intergovernmental Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) on Monday launched a joint project to help accelerate the development of a national regulated voluntary carbon market. The initiative ‘Operationalising Paraguay’s National Carbon Market Framework’ will support the government to implement a transparent national carbon market aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. In 2023, Paraguay’s Law 7190 on carbon credits established a framework for the commercialisation of carbon credits. Then, in Feb. 2025, a regulation to operationalise this law was passed. This created the Carbon Markets Directorate and launched the national Carbon Credit Registry. To help the rest of the operationalisation process go smoothly, in the next few months, the new MADES-GGGI project will focus on further developing the regulatory framework, capacity-building among key stakeholders, and crafting monitoring mechanisms.

VOLUNTARY

Holy smokes – In 2024, Philip Morris International allocated approximately $0.3 mln toward nature-based solutions sourced from the voluntary carbon market, compared to $1.2 mln in 2023, it said in a report published last week. These initiatives, located in Canada and Colombia, focus on generating carbon credits through enhanced forest management and forest conservation, respectively. The PCI acquired high-quality offsets to support PMI’s decarbonisation efforts, contributing carbon credits for the 22 factories and 50 markets certified as ‘carbon neutral’ in 2024, it said. The company’s initiative in Mozambique is expected to deliver its first carbon credits in 2025 and support the achievement of a Scope 1 and 2 carbon neutrality aspiration. The company retired 120,000 offsets last year to count towards these goals, up from 70,000 in 2023.

ERW consultation – Riverse has launched a public consultation for its enhanced rock weathering methodology, inviting feedback here. The methodology development has focussed on a flexible project scope that allows for crediting period renewal, and multiple spreading events per project, a stratification approach that groups similar fields into strata, and require one control plot per strata, and a spatial extrapolation option that allows for very low-density monitoring on sites that have met rigorous statistical requirements proving low-variability in CDR rates. The consultation will be open until May 5 and Riverse hopes to publish the finalized V1.0 of the methodology by June 2025.

Standards streamlined – Verra published minor revisions to its Geologic Carbon Storage (GCS) Requirements and Non-Permanence Risk Tool (NPRT) on Apr. 3, updating both documents to Version 4.1. The changes aim to improve clarity and verifiability for Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) projects involving CCS technologies. Key updates include revised project ownership requirements, streamlined monitoring and closure procedures for injection sites, and adjustments to risk scoring criteria related to regulatory and design risks. The updates, effective immediately, apply to all projects using VCS Methodology VM0049 and were informed by public consultation held in late 2024. Further revisions to the broader VCS Program are expected with the upcoming release of Version 5.

SCIENCE & TECH

Mixture modelling – Scientists at Heriot-Watt University, based in Scotland, have received new funding from TotalEnergies and Equinor for a two-year research project to investigate the thermodynamic behaviour of fluids used in CCUS. The study will focus on CO2-rich mixtures containing volatile organic compounds, aiming to improve thermodynamic models that predict fluid phase behaviour. The project builds on over a decade of Heriot-Watt’s CCUS research and experimental work and supports ongoing efforts to reduce risks and improve efficiency across the CCUS chain.

AND FINALLY…

Robot rodeo – Kawasaki Heavy Industries, a Japanese machine manufacturer, has unveiled the Corleo, a hydrogen-powered quadruped concept vehicle designed to carry two passengers across rugged terrain. Controlled primarily by the rider’s body movements and guided by AI-based terrain analysis, the Corleo uses a 150cc hydrogen-fueled generator engine and features a floating seat, rubber-treaded legs, and an onboard screen. While the robot resembles a futuristic horse and includes CGI video demonstrations, Kawasaki notes it is a long-term mobility concept with limited current functionality, developed as part of the company’s 2050 vision for advanced personal transportation.

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