Road (not) to Belem? – Diplomats from 25 countries have suggested that Brazil hold COP30, either entirely or partially, in another city if the issue of exorbitant prices in Belem is not resolved soon. Less developed countries, the African Group of Negotiators, as well as nations such as Canada, Finland, and Switzerland, signed the document, Folha de S.Paulo reported. The group requested that the Brazilian government ensure minimum acceptable price conditions for participants. The Extraordinary Secretary for COP30, representing the Brazilian government, told Folha that there is no possibility the climate conference will be held anywhere other than Belem. In an interview with local outlet G1, Andre Correa do Lago, president of COP30, stated that there is a sense of revolt with the high costs, particularly among developing countries, which are pressuring Brazil. While accommodation prices at previous COPs typically doubled or tripled, in Belem, prices have risen by as much as 15 times, according to the ambassador.

Impact investment fund Camco has launched a new $100 million fund called TIDES to support development of solar, wind, and mini-grid projects in six Pacific nations.

Clean power developers in emerging and developing economies (EMDEs) continued to face significantly higher financing costs than their counterparts in advanced economies in 2024, according to survey results released Friday.

Restoring degraded ecosystems such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands could remove up to 97 billion tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere by 2100, amounting to just 4-12% of projected emissions in the same time period, claims a study, which recommended focusing on deep emissions cuts instead.

Malaysia will introduce a National Carbon Market Policy and launch an emissions trading scheme (ETS) as part of its 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed this week, in a move towards formalising the country’s carbon market infrastructure.

European companies may have offset emissions using carbon credits from projects potentially operating wrongfully, a media organisation reported this week.

Thailand’s Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) this week launched a month-long public consultation on three draft methodologies under its Premium T-VER programme, covering protocols for carbon capture in concrete, biochar production, and refrigerant reclamation.

Permits in China's national emissions market over the past week fell to the lowest level in around six weeks amid mounting selling pressure, but weekly trading volumes remained relatively stable.

New platform - Indian sustainability company Compliance Kart has launched a blockchain-powered trading platform named ENVR, to enable the trading of carbon credits and international renewable energy certificates (I-REC), it announced. The platform will support projects ranging from renewable energy to forestry, connect verified buyers and sellers, as well as foster transparent and secure transactions, the company said.

Shell connection - The firm appointed to run media for COP 30 also works for oil giant Shell, Climate Home News reported. UN awarded Edelman, which is also the world's largest PR firm, an $835,000 contract to handle global media outreach, produce digital content, and manage any communications crises during the November summit. The investigation found that the same executive overseeing the firm’s work with Shell in Brazil - where the energy company is ramping up oil and gas output - will also work on the COP30 contract.

Tasmania connection - Australia approved the A$3.9 bln ($2.5 bln) Marinus Link, a 345-km undersea power cable that will connect Tasmania’s hydro-heavy grid to the mainland, aiming to slash emissions and curb coal reliance. Set for completion by 2030, the project will export surplus renewable energy to major cities like Sydney and Melbourne. The cable is expected to power 750,000 homes and support Australia’s target to reach 82% renewables by the end of the decade.

Indonesia CCUS - The Southeast Asian country is expected to receive $10-15 bln in CCUS investment from oil majors like ExxonMobil, Shell and BP, local media Hijau Bisnis reported, citing Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. The minister added that the investment will go towards a "carbon warehouse" and capturing emissions from coal.

TL tries for LDC leadership - Timor-Leste will run for presidency of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) group ahead of COP30 in Belem, Brazil, in November, Portuguese language news service Lusa said this week. It is one of only three Southeast Asian nations in the grouping of 45. The small nation has a negligible emissions footprint despite its single largest source of revenue for many years being an offshore gas field operated by an Australian company.

New forest-based project - Japanese gas company Inpex will work on a carbon credit project in Gunma prefecture with a forest conservation foundation and data solution provider Aero Toyota, according to a company statement. The three parties have agreed to enter a binding agreement to conduct the project, which can generate around 16,300 J-Credits over eight years from roughly 325 hectares of forest owned by the foundation. Inpex is also engaged in other lower-carbon solutions, such as CCS and hydrogen.

Regional efforts - Japanese project developer Creattura has concluded a collaboration agreement with a local government to generate domestically issued J-Credits in Sosa city, Chiba prefecture, it announced Friday. The alliance seeks to convert environmental value into carbon credits and return the revenues to the community to promote regional revitalisation. Meanwhile, Stellar Green said it has teamed up with two local partners to pursue the creation of carbon credits using forest resources in Hokkaido.