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TOP STORY
All eyes on China to pick up climate leadership as US steps away, Brazilian experts say
Brazil’s upcoming COP30 summit will usher a new era of Chinese climate leadership, as the country pushes ahead with the transition to renewables and overachieves on its commitments — filling a void left by the US, according to Brazilian experts.
EMEA
EEX to introduce EU ETS2 carbon futures in July
The European Energy Exchange (EEX), in cooperation with IncubEx, will introduce new futures contracts related to the EU Emissions Trading System 2 (EU ETS2) in July, subject to regulatory approval.
Aluminium industry urges EU to freeze CBAM implementation
The European Commission has been urged to pause the implementation of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for the aluminium sector, as the industry continues to flag circumvention risks linked to the scheme’s implementation as of next year.
Germany appoints new energy minister, but takes climate out of the portfolio
A former centre-right politician who has spent the last five years heading up Germany’s largest regional energy company is set to succeed the Greens’ Robert Habeck as head of the government’s energy portfolio — but without the climate file, which is moving to the environment ministry.
German forest carbon startup triples climate project portfolio, eyes further expansion
A Munich-based forest carbon firm grew its portfolio of forest adaptation projects to 12 sites by the end of 2024, up from four a year earlier, and aims to further scale its activities this year, according to its latest impact report.
Biogas industry calls for biogenic CO2 target in EU’s 2040 climate plan
The European biogas industry association has called on the European Commission to include a separate target for biogenic CO2 capture in the EU’s 2040 climate plan, emphasising the role biomethane can play in removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
INTERVIEW: CO2 mineralisation would see major benefit from EU integrating removals into ETS
The potential integration of the EU’s carbon removal certification framework into the bloc’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) would be a “major catalysing step” for industrial decarbonisation, according to a CO2 mineralisation company.
German energy industry says electricity bidding zone split would slow low-carbon transition, NGO disagrees
Germany’s main energy association concluded that a European recommendation to split the country’s bidding zone for electricity would lead to “massive uncertainty” for industry and “significantly dampen” the investment climate for renewables, contrary to an NGO report.
New Dutch nitrogen effort introduces 2035 emissions reduction goals
The Netherlands has announced nitrogen emissions reduction targets for point sources in industry, mobility, construction, and agriculture in a bid to tackle catastrophic pollution that has grounded building projects and is stalling even sustainability, according to the minister in charge.
Swedish real estate firm signs BECCS deal for 10k credits
A real estate company from Sweden will buy 10,000 carbon removals from an energy firm over 10 years, the companies announced earlier this month.
UK seeks feedback on revenue support changes for carbon removal projects
The UK government has launched a consultation on proposed changes to revenue support regulations for engineered greenhouse gas removals (GGRs) and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) projects.
No top European bank aligned with 1.5C, says think tank
None of Europe’s 20 largest banks has a credible plan to align with a 1.5C climate pathway, new research has found.
European airline emissions back to pre-Covid levels, carbon market fails to address costs -report
Emissions from airlines in Europe have bounced back to pre-Covid levels, while the bloc’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) appears unable to address the costs of soaring pollution, according to green campaign group Transport and Environment (T&E).
Investor commits $40 mln to three nature-based carbon projects
A French investment firm has announced a $40 million investment into three nature-based projects in Latin America and Africa.
Tunisian govt launches $24-mln project to restore forests, boost climate resilience
The government of Tunisia, in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), has launched a $24 million initiative to restore degraded forests and boost climate resilience in the rural areas of the nation.
Euro Markets: EUAs drop back as macro uncertainty hangs over market
European carbon prices slid in quiet trading on Monday as participants described a lacklustre market that was still reflecting a holiday mood, while a number of sources highlighted that though short-term price movements are likely to be dominated by macroeconomic events, sentiment is gradually turning more positive for EUAs in the longer term.
AMERICAS
Federal court orders US SEC to clarify plans for climate disclosure rules
A federal court this week ordered the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to clarify its plan for controversial climate disclosure rules after the agency said last month it would not defend the regulations against legal challenges.
RGGI Market: Benchmark RGAs slip below $20 absent near-term catalysts
In the absence of near-term drivers, benchmark RGGI allowances (RGA) slid below $20, with framing ahead of the June auction potentially keeping a lid on prices, traders said.
US EPA greenlights year-round E15 use, eases E10 stringency
The US EPA on Monday issued an emergency waiver allowing the sale of E15 – gasoline blended with 15% ethanol – throughout the country, and also waived provisions that would have increased E10 fuel stringency.
US business group urges Congress, SEC to push back against activist investors -report
A US business group has slammed proxy advisory firms that it said are hijacking shareholder votes to inject ESG agendas into the voting processes, and called on Congress and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to intervene.
California governor appoints new member to ARB watchdog
Governor Gavin Newsom (D) added a sixth member to the independent advisory committee overseeing California’s ETS and other relevant climate policies.
Canadian carbon streaming company uproots US soil project investment amid voluntary market turmoil
A Toronto-headquartered carbon and precious metals royalty and streaming company has terminated future capital commitments to a major US-based carbon farming programme, citing worsening market conditions and increased investment risks.
Investors launch $200 mln US forest carbon fund
Two companies have partnered to launch a new carbon investment fund for US-based projects as they seek to raise $200 million to generate high-integrity credits.
Alberta commits C$3 mln in TIER funds to green hydrogen plant
A Calgary-based green hydrogen developer has secured more than C$3 million ($2.2 mln) in funding from Alberta’s industrial emissions pricing scheme.
LATAM Roundup: Compliance schemes progress, voluntary ones draw fire
An action-packed week for LATAM saw government-backed carbon pricing programmes take slow steps forward, while the voluntary market (VCM) experienced a mixed bag of bold announcements and dramatic setbacks.
State lawmaker in Puebla, Mexico proposes carbon tax
A lawmaker from the ruling party in the Mexican state of Puebla this week proposed a carbon tax on stationary emitters.
Brazil creates forest carbon regulatory body
Brazil’s environment ministry (MMA) on Monday published an ordinance establishing a forest carbon task force that will help regulate both voluntary and compliance forest carbon markets.
Fossil fuel companies can be linked to global economic losses from climate change -study
A recently published study has proposed that the scientific basis for holding fossil fuel producers legally responsible for climate-related damages is now firmly established.
ASIA PACIFIC
Australia Market Roundup: Greens urge govt to use Safeguard rules to block new coal and gas projects
The Australian Greens on Monday said the government could use rules under the Safeguard Mechanism to halt new coal and gas projects, making it a key demand in a potential deal to form a minority government.
Japanese refiner invests in venture capital fund to drive DAC solutions
One of Japan’s largest refiners will invest in a venture capital fund dedicated to supporting startups engaged in the development of carbon removal solutions, it announced Monday.
Investment needed for Asian energy transition ramp-up, bank says
Much work remains in reducing energy-related carbon emissions across developing economies in Asia and the Pacific, a regional multinational development bank said Monday, calling for investment to be ramped up.
China approves construction of 10 nuclear reactors
China has given the green light for the construction of 10 new nuclear reactors, with total investment expected to reach $27 billion.
Indonesia lines up carbon market standards for cooperation deals
Indonesia is pushing ahead with negotiating mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with major international standards, including Verra, Gold Standard, Puro Earth, and Plan Vivo, according to a senior official.
Exchange appoints market makers to boost liquidity in J-Credit market
The Tokyo Stock Exchange has designated four domestic companies as market makers for Japan’s carbon market this fiscal year.
VOLUNTARY
VCM Report: Voluntary carbon credit indices rebound, France backs CCPs
Voluntary carbon credit indices edged higher last week as market participants returned to desks following a holiday break, while France threw its weight behind corporate use of integrity-backed carbon credits, following similar moves by Germany and the UK in April.
Post-issuance legal risks for carbon credits manageable with pre-issuance products -report
Gaps and inconsistencies across global property law regimes regarding voluntary carbon credits (VCCs), typically construed as post-issuance problems, can be addressed using the pre-issuance risk management tools of ratings and insurance, according to a report published Monday.
INTERVIEW: US non-profit’s smaller buyer carbon credit platform achieves first sale
An Oregon-based non-profit’s carbon credit purchasing platform aimed at small business and individual buyers has achieved its first sale, as the group aims to expand its support for grassland projects in North America, its executive director told Carbon Pulse.
ERW developers commit to new data-sharing platform in bid to scale market
A group of enhanced rock weathering (ERW) project developers has launched a new data-sharing platform designed to accelerate scientific validation and support the commercial scaling of this carbon removal technology.
INTERVIEW: US carbon credit platform gains momentum with standards agencies through ‘trust’
A US-based financial services firm is advocating for separation between standards agencies and registries in the voluntary carbon market, as it partners with a UK-based forestry project developer to settle transactions on the firm’s platform.
BIODIVERSITY (FREE TO READ)
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Stakeholder group launches nature fintech taxonomy
The Nature Tech Collective on Monday launched a five-part taxonomy to help navigate the emerging sector of nature-related financial technology.
Study outlines approach for maximising EU species, climate, land use benefits
An approach for the EU that maximises benefits for species conservation, climate mitigation, and agricultural land use has been proposed in an academic paper published on Monday.
Only 16 of 500 most-at-risk companies took strong actions against deforestation last year, study finds
Only 16 out of 500 companies driving deforestation took meaningful action to curb impacts in their supply chains in 2024, with pledges often overlooking commodities most linked to forest loss, a UK-based non-profit said on Tuesday.
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WEBINAR
Mastering Carbon Removal Procurement: How to design effective RFPs and secure high-quality carbon removal – Join Supercritical on Thursday, May 8th at 1600 BST (1500 GMT) for a practical session on navigating the carbon removal procurement process. This expert-led webinar will explore how to design effective RFPs, evaluate supplier credibility, and structure contracts that deliver on both climate goals and business needs. Featuring insights from experienced corporate buyers Chris Minter (Zurich Insurance) and Emily Jackson (The Economist), you’ll gain actionable guidance to secure high-quality carbon removal, mitigate risk, and accelerate progress toward your net zero goals. Register
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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.
Innovation Zero – April 29-30, London – The UK’s largest net zero congress will bring together 10,000+ delegates, 400+ speakers and 250+ exhibitors in London at the end of the month to accelerate a just, global transition to a low-carbon economy. Supported by the UK Government, Innovation Zero provides a space and opportunity for collaboration, breaking down silos, and overcoming obstacles to drive large-scale, impactful progress towards global emissions reduction. The congress will feature 13 high-level forums and theatres, including a Carbon Markets Forum that will explore the potential of voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) to unlock meaningful climate action. Register here
Sustainable1 Summit – April 30, London – S&P Global predicts $60 trillion in energy investment opportunities under global net zero investment scenarios through 2050. During this same period, there is also a projected $25 trillion in cumulative financial impact on the world’s largest companies due to changing climate exposure. Join us at the Sustainable1 Summit in London to unlock transition opportunities with specialist opinions, market outlooks, data insights, and strategic forums, providing insights to finance the energy transition, discover opportunities in climate resilience, and report your sustainability performance with confidence. Save your spot
East Africa Carbon Markets Forum – May 8-9, Kampala – Join the East Africa Carbon Markets Forum on May 8-9, 2025, in Kampala, Uganda, as project developers, policymakers, investors, and community representatives come together to shape the future of the region’s carbon markets. Centred on advancing policy, unlocking green finance, and fostering innovation, this free, high-impact event delivers curated sessions, expert insights, and meaningful networking opportunities. With attendance capped at 350 participants, EACMF2025 offers an exclusive platform for impactful connections and actionable engagement in East Africa’s sustainability efforts. Be part of the dialogue shaping tomorrow’s carbon markets. Join the conversation and learn more at www.carbonmarketsforum.com.
Carbon Removal Investment Summit – June 3, London – cCarbon is hosting this exclusive, one-day conference with the goal of accelerating carbon removals through a data and modelling-driven discussion. It will bring together a distinguished group of investors, capital providers, carbon removal buyers, leading developers, and other key stakeholders to unlock investment and create partnering opportunities. An invite-only investors’ conclave will take place during the summit to explore pathways for unlocking and chanelling capital into carbon removals. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in high-impact sessions to discuss the business case for nature- and technology-based removals. cCarbon will unveil a data-driven benchmarking tool designed to assess carbon removal providers based on key factors like feasibility, scalability, and maturity. Register here
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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
INTERNATIONAL
Long-term vision – The energy industry is battling short-term uncertainty caused by global instability, with political risk seen as the main barrier to growth for the year ahead, according to DNV’s annual Energy Industry Insights survey. The report that surveyed 1,100 senior energy professionals, found the perceived momentum of the energy transition to be slowing down. Only 55% of energy professionals now believe the transition is accelerating, down sharply from 72% last year and 79% the year before, said the release on Monday. Just over half of respondents believe that ultimately, a successful energy transition may negatively impact some communities including traditional energy sector workers, and therefore stressed the need for affordable, accessible clean energy technologies to be implemented using innovative funding models. In the short term, less money is flowing into clean energy projects impacting profit margins, but longer term, megatrends like decarbonisation and electrification should support the energy transition.
EMEA
Iberian blackout – Spain and Portugal saw a massive power blackout on Monday, spanning large parts of the Iberian Peninsula from Madrid to London, Politico Europe reported. The Spanish transmission system operator Red Electrica, said in a statement on X that it was taking steps to restore electricity supply, working with companies in the sector. It also said the causes of the blackout were still being investigated, and that all resources were being put into solving the issue. The power cut off around 12:30pm local time, causing traffic lights to go dark and metro systems to ground to a halt around both countries. While hospitals in both countries have generators, authorities indicated that staff had been asked to turn off their computers and conserve power, as it was not clear how long the outage would last.
Battery loan – BW ESS has arranged a SEK 628 mln (€57 mln) green loan with Nordea Bank for a 211 MWh portfolio of 14 operational battery storage projects in Sweden, which it owns together with Ingrid Capacity. The deal marks the energy storage owner-operator’s first external financing and is the largest battery energy storage system financing in the Nordics to date, the company stated in a release Monday. BW ESS is part of global energy and maritime infrastructure company BW Group.
Better together – Renewable energy management systems provider BaxEnergy announced in a release Monday it will partner with Uniper to support the scale-up of the German utility’s renewables division. Uniper plans to reach a 10GW renewable energy assets portfolio across Europe by 2030, including wind, solar, and battery energy storage, and it’s hoped BaxEnergy’s cross-technology asset management platform will help the company scale the portfolio more easily.
No talk of it – There was no mention of carbon market linking in a recent FT piece covering the UK’s push to once again access the EU’s single market as part of a reset of relations post Brexit. In talks ahead of a key summit in London next month, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been calling for a mutual recognition agreement with the EU on certifying product standards that would have simplified paperwork for UK companies sending goods into the bloc’s single market, but France rejected the request straightaway and there was a general response it would be unworkable. A security and defence pact is expected to be agreed at the May 19 summit, paving way for Britain to access a new EU €150 bln defence fund, but the article made no mention of a potential EU ETS – UK ETS linking.
Nuclear ambitions – A new Danish fund named 92 Capital seeks to raise €350 mln to back the nuclear industry and its supply chain, aiming to approach large Danish institutional investors to contribute. With a hard limit of €450 mln, the fund is expected to build a portfolio of 10-30 companies over 10 years, with most capital going towards firms based in Europe. 92 Capital is backed by Joachim Ante, co-founder and former CTO of software company Unity Technologies, who has contributed about €50 mln so far. Returns of two to five times the invested amount are expected from investing in carbon-free baseload nuclear power, for which interest is growing as energy security rises up the political agenda. (Bloomberg)
Egyptian insurance – Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) is currently collaborating with the Egyptian Insurance Federation to study ways to launch a carbon credit insurance policy for agricultural projects. This was revealed by FRA Chair Mohamed Farid speaking at a forum organised by the SEKEM Group agricultural conglomerate, which developed the Economy of Love standard used by several projects listed on Egypt’s national AfricarbonX registry. Farid noted that the FRA is also working to support regulations governing teams that inspect carbon farmlands and establish emissions baselines, in cooperation with market stakeholders. Work is further underway to create a clear, regularly updated database and map of temperature and humidity. All this data could support the development of insurance products across the agricultural sector, he said – not just for land use-based carbon projects. (Amwal al-Ghad)
Clean cooking – The Africa Go Green Fund, managed by Cygnum Capital, is planning to invest $8 mln to finance the deployment of 200,000 improved biomass cookstoves in Rwanda by DelAgua, it has announced. The investment from AGG will result in avoiding up to 4.38 MtCO2e emissions, over the project’s lifetime. According to DelAgua, its cookstoves, manufactured by Burn in Kenya, reduce wood consumption by 71% compared to traditional cooking methods and produces 81% less emissions than an open fire. To date, it has distributed around 1.6 mln stoves across Rwanda, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone.
Green hydrogen unit launch – Haffner Energy, a French manufacturer of renewable energy solutions, has launched Hynoca Flex 500 IG, a modular hydrogen production unit capable of producing up to 12 tonnes of green hydrogen per day at under €3/kg without subsidies. The system also generates electricity to help manage fluctuating hydrogen demand. The company expects the technology to contribute to its 2025 financial results, with the first units scheduled for commissioning in early 2027.
ASIA PACIFIC
FOI for CCS CSG – Freedom of Information documents requested by anti-coal seam gas (CSG) and anti-fracking group Lock the Gate show that Australian gas company Santos held talks with the New South Wales state government in 2023 over plans to utilise CCS for its Narrabri gas project. The onshore CSG project has not yet been sanctioned by the company and faces Native Title issues alongside still needing a pipeline to market. However, the state government waved it through some years ago. An issue for Santos with Australia’s beefed up Safeguard Mechanism is the field’s high CO2 content. Lock the Gate slammed the CCS plans, which could have sent CO2 into a vast subsurface aquifer used as a water source by farmers.
Partnership – Japanese machinery maker Kubota has formed a strategic partnership with Mizuho Bank to decarbonise the country’s agricultural sector, it said in a recent statement. As part of the partnership, the two companies plan to utilise their industry expertise in agriculture and carbon markets to expand the volume of offsets, using a rice-focused methodology under the domestic J-Credit scheme. No specific business target was disclosed in the statement.
Around the corner – Japan and Malaysia are nearing an agreement regarding underground CO2 storage, according to Nikkei. The initiative aims to transport greenhouse gas produced in Japan to Malaysia for storage, potentially commencing in 2030. Key participants in the project include trading firm Mitsui and Kansai Electric Power, alongside the state-owned Malaysian oil company Petronas. Malaysia is discussing bilateral agreements with countries in the region to establish itself as a carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) hub.
Another city, another prefecture – Japan’s ByWill has signed an agreement with Midori City in the Gunma prefecture, and Gunma Bank for the creation and distribution of J-Credits, thereby helping in the decarbonisation of Midori city, it said in a statement. The city aims to hit net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and to achieve this goal it is actively working to provide subsidies to citizens who install solar power generation equipment, lithium-ion batteries, and wood stoves.
Green rice – Japanese developer Green Carbon’s methane reduction project from rice paddies in the Nghe An Province of Vietnam has become the first of its kind in Japan and Vietnam to be listed under the Gold Standard, it announced Monday. The project aims to grow to a target area to 62,000 ha, and expects to generate a total of 2.5 mln carbon credits over the next 10 years. Earlier this month, the developer announced the listing of its separate rice methane project in Southern Vietnam under the voluntary carbon standard Verra.
Million-dollar acquisition – Indian offset developer EKI Energy is planning to acquire a 13% stake in software company Webricks Innovation, to address challenges faced across customer relationship management (CRM) and sustainability sectors. Through Webricks’ tailored solutions across solar, automotive, and finance industries, EKI will be able to expand its offerings to drive operational efficiency and support clients with data-driven pathways to help them achieve their net zero goals. The total cost of acquisition is $1.2 mln.
AMERICAS
Clearcutting comments – The acting deputy chief for the US Forest Service, Jacqueline Emanuel, issued updated guidance for regional foresters on Apr. 22, stating that formal comment periods will not typically be required for environmental assessments and categorical exclusions under new emergency authorities that Secretarial Memo 1078-006 and Executive Order 14225 established. Instead, the agency directed that alternative forms of public involvement were sufficient to fulfill agency responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Lassoing emissions – Cowboy Clean Fuels, a US-based renewable energy and carbon removal technology company, announced completion and release of its Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage plus Renewable Natural Gas (BiCRS+RNG) methodology. The new framework aims to establish standards for measuring, monitoring, reporting, and verifying carbon removal projects by injecting biomass-derived feedstocks into geologic formations for microbial conversion into CO2 and biomethane, capturing biomethane as RNG, and sequestering CO2. The methodology complies with ISO 14064-2:2019 standards and expects to offer a verifiable pathway for carbon removal crediting.
Ceiling is the limit – California’s Assembly Natural Resources Committee on Monday held a hearing on Assembly Bill 1207 (AB 1207), which was originally introduced as a measure to reauthorise the cap-and-trade scheme. However, a March amendment stripped that language to instead adjust price ceiling provisions under the scheme in alignment with the US EPA’s updated social cost of carbon (SCC) estimate of $190/tonne established in 2023. At the hearing, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D), the bill’s sponsor, said AB 1207 would ensure that the cap-and-trade scheme is informed by the best available science, and “insulated the programme from the politicising of the US”. But a study published earlier this month called SCC an arbitrary metric with modelling flaws, signalling that California could be advocating for the use of a 2023 metric for price ceiling that the current US EPA says is marked by logical deficiencies, a poor basis in empirical science, politicisation, and the absence of a foundation in legislation. The committee left the motion to approve AB 1207 open, in order to count the votes of absentee members.
Climate disclosure discourse – California regulator ARB announced a virtual workshop on May 29 to discuss the implementation of the state’s 2023 GHG reporting laws, SB 253 and SB 261. ARB is planning to finalise its rulemaking for SB 253 by July 2025. SB 253 mandates companies with annual gross revenues over $1 bln doing business in the state to disclose their full Scope 1-3 GHG emissions, while SB 261 requires companies with annual gross revenues exceeding $500 mln to report their climate-related financial risk. The webinar was announced after a coalition of US businesses led by the US Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit asking the District Court for the Central District of California to enjoin the climate laws.
Board briefing – The Board of Directors of the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) will hold a teleconference meeting on May 8 to review and consider approval of last year’s audited financial statements, tax filings, annual report, and an update to the Audit Committee membership. Following the public session, the Board will enter a closed executive session to discuss jurisdiction and procurement matters.
Paper and pulp partnership – CDR developer Svante Technologies announced on Monday is advancing a project aimed at decarbonising Canada’s pulp and paper sector. The joint CCS project with Canada-based global forests products company Mercer International is focused on an Alberta pulp mill, intended to target biogenic CO2 emissions. The next design phase of the project will evaluate the project’s estimated cost and overall commercial viability. Svante’s project uses a structured sorbent filter system to selectively capture CO2 molecules while reducing energy requirements overall for the industrial process.
What’s the plan? – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) Air Pollution Control Division announced Monday it will share draft GHG emissions reduction plans for public comment over the next few weeks. Covered facilities will submit the draft plans to the division as part of manufacturing sector rules approved in 2023, and the purpose of these plans is to show how each facility will comply with its individual GHG emissions limit starting in 2030. Each plan will be available for a 45-day public comment period after the division has received it and deemed it administratively complete. Then, an independent third party will review all public comments on each plan, request changes in response to feedback where appropriate, and certify each plan. The division will provide regular email updates on Mondays over the next two months for as long as needed to share all draft plans, which it expects to receive from all applicable facilities by the end of June.
In the driver’s seat – Car manufacturer Toyota has encouraged its employees to support efforts in Congress that would repeal California’s clean car rules, Politico reported Friday. In an e-mail distributed to select staff, Toyota said that it opposes the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate as a result of California’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, which set increasing ZEV sales targets each year. It further encouraged employees to write to legislators in support of current resolutions up for vote in Congress that would roll back California’s rules. The email was sent to employees signed up to the Toyota Policy Drivers programme, a company effort to encourage public policy advocacy.
Ready in Readlyn – The Iowa chapter of US environmental non-profit Sierra Club held a meeting Saturday to discuss the potential impacts of a CO2 pipeline in the community. Local media KCRG reported that nearly 100 people showed up to the meeting in Readlyn, a city with a population of just under 900, according to 2023 data. Of concern is Summit Carbon Solutions’ Midwest Express CO2 pipeline, which was initially expected to begin operations in 2024 but has since faced delays through the permitting process. It has permits in Minnesota, Iowa, and North Dakota but was most recently rejected by South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission amid ongoing landowner concerns.
VOLUNTARY
Biochar funding – Aston University has secured an additional £700k in government funding to extend its Biochar CleanTech Accelerator project, which converts organic waste into low-carbon products. Using pyrolysis technology, the initiative transforms materials such as sawdust and agricultural residue into oils, gases, and biochar, supporting the development of commercial applications for UK businesses. The accelerator, part of the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator programme, aims to drive economic and environmental benefits. The new funding comes from a £30 mln national extension of the Innovation Accelerator scheme.
AND FINALLY…
Udderly efficient – A study led by the Veterinary Medicine Foundation (FUMVET), a Brazilian research organisation focused on animal health and livestock productivity, in partnership with GlobalGen Animal Health, a company specialising in genetic solutions for animal agriculture, suggested that Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination (FTAI) significantly increased productivity and reduced GHG emissions in Brazilian livestock farming. Using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology aligned with ISO standards and IPCC guidelines, the study claimed that FTAI reduced the carbon footprint by up to 49% in meat production and 37% in milk production, while boosting output by 27% and 36%, respectively. The research emphasised that improving reproductive efficiency and genetics can lower environmental impacts, support wider adoption of sustainable practices, and position Brazilian livestock farming to benefit from emerging carbon market opportunities.
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