A Europe-based carbon project developer is expanding its operations in the EU, the Middle East, and Africa, and strengthening its focus on compliance markets, after raising millions of euros in the final step of its seed funding round, it announced on Thursday.

A group of companies has joined forces to launch an €8.5 million ($9.3 mln) reforestation initiative in Brazil that aims to combine biodiversity recovery with carbon credit generation.

A Canadian-headquartered offset project developer has reported stronger revenues and a narrower loss in the second quarter of 2025 as sales of voluntary credits surged.

RFP - Verra has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an independent expert review of draft module M0367, which covers CO2 capture from acid gas removal in natural gas processing plants under its Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) programme. The module sits within the VM0049 CCS methodology, which uses a modular structure to quantify emissions from capture, transport, and storage activities. Developed by Verra with funding support from BKV Corporation, the module requires expert review under the VCS Methodology Development and Review Process (v5.0) to ensure it reflects current scientific knowledge, technical rigour, and best practices. The selected reviewer will assess the draft methodology, issue a draft report, work with Verra to resolve findings, and deliver a final signed report, following a timeline running from late September to early November 2025. Proposals are invited from academics, consultants, validators, and other professionals with experience in natural gas processing, CCS, or GHG accounting, and applicants must demonstrate independence to avoid conflicts of interest. The total fee is capped at $4,000 for an estimated three days of work. Proposals must include a response template, conflict of interest form, and CV, and be submitted by Sep. 22, with consultant selection expected by Sep. 29. The RFP makes clear that Verra is not legally obliged to accept any proposal and may amend the requirements at its discretion.

Temasek-owned investment platform GenZero on Monday pledged to deliver 7 million tonnes of CO2e in emissions reductions and removals by Mar. 2028, having already delivered 3 Mt as of last year.

Two Brazilian financial services firms have joined forces to issue the country’s first-ever surety bond policy focused on ecological restoration and carbon credit generation from a public forest concession, an executive from one of the companies told Carbon Pulse.

UK-based carbon removal developer Origen has commissioned a proprietary zero-emissions limestone kiln at a demonstration facility in North Dakota, marking a key step in advancing its direct air capture (DAC) technology.

Five of Sri Lanka’s largest tea plantation groups have signed agreements with sustainability NGO Solidaridad Network Asia and its local partner Nucleus Foundation to adopt the Regenagri standard and implement carbon insetting programmes across their estates.

Just for you - Swedish municipal energy utility Soderenergi has agreed to reserve the first carbon removal credits from its planned bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) facility for drugmaker AstraZeneca. The Igelstaverket CHP plant in Sodertalje aims to begin operations in 2030, with capacity to capture and permanently store up to 500,000 tonnes of biogenic CO2 annually. A final investment decision is expected by the end of 2026. AstraZeneca said the deal supports its target to halve emissions by 2030 and cut them by 90% by 2045 across its value chain. The agreement marks a milestone for Sweden’s emerging BECCS industry, which is backed by SEK 36 bln ($3.8 bln) of state support through 2046. (Bioenergy International)

Training time - Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment, through its Deputy for Climate Change Control and Carbon Economic Value Governance (PPITKNEK), held a capacity-building workshop in Jakarta from Aug. 19-22 to improve sub-national GHG inventory reporting and MRV. Deputy PPITKNEK Ary Sudijanto stressed that GHG inventories form the foundation of Indonesia’s climate policy, noting that accurate, transparent, and consistent data are crucial for achieving national targets. Indonesia has raised its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) goals from 29% to 31.89% domestically, and from 41% to 43.20% with international support. The ministry has developed the SIGN-SMART web platform to streamline emissions data across central and regional governments and businesses, in line with IPCC methods. According to Mitta Ratna Djuwita, Director of GHG Inventory and MRV, the training aimed to ensure provincial and local reporting meets the TACCC principles - transparency, accuracy, completeness, and consistency. Over three days, participants received technical guidance on preparing GHG inventories, applying MRV processes, and integrating results into the National Registry System (SRN). The ministry hopes these efforts will improve the quality of sub-national reporting and strengthen progress toward Indonesia’s climate targets. Several days later, the government provided training for environmental officials in Bali and Nusa Tenggara to improve their capacity to calculate and report GHG emissions. The training, held in Lombok on Aug. 27-28, involved leaders and technical staff from the environmental agencies of Bali, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and the regional Environmental Control Centre for Bali-Nusra. Ratna Juwita noted that many regions still fail to report emissions data annually, even though such reports are crucial for understanding local contributions to global warming. She highlighted problems such as inaccurate data, weak inter-agency coordination, and limited human resources. The sessions also covered new policies on GHG inventories, carbon trading, Indonesia’s Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Certificate (SPEI) mechanism, and updated Global Warming Potential (GWP) standards.

Chosen one - Stockholm-based biochar carbon removal start-up Planboo has been selected for Mastercard’s Lighthouse MASSIV fall 2025 accelerator, a programme supporting sustainability-focused companies across the Nordics and Baltics. Planboo develops technology to monitor, mentor, and monetise biochar-based carbon removal, using agricultural residues such as coffee prunings, cotton stalks, and cocoa husks to create biochar that sequesters carbon, improves soil health, and boosts farmer incomes in tropical regions. The company, accredited under the European Biochar Certificate, is also working on the first biochar CDR methodology tailored for tropical landowners. Recent projects include a partnership with Carboneers in Ghana, converting cacao waste into biochar with low-emission kiln technology and Planboo’s digital MRVin monitoring platform, as well as participation in Milkywire’s Climate Transformation Fund, which supports early-stage carbon removal suppliers. Selection for Mastercard’s programme will provide Planboo with mentorship, partnerships, and investment opportunities to help scale its climate-positive work.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order (EO) on Friday to support clean energy project developments in the state to take advantage of federal tax credits before they expire.

Pioneer project - India’s first state-backed biochar programme will be launched in Himachal Pradesh, with a biochar plant set to be established at Neri in Hamirpur district within six months, local media reported this week. A tripartite agreement was signed between Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, and Chennai-based ProClime Services Pvt Ltd, in the presence of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The project will use biomass such as pine needles, lantana, bamboo, and other forest residues to produce biochar through microwave-assisted pyrolysis. Over its 10-year operational period, it is expected to generate around 28,800 carbon credits, support carbon sequestration, and provide applications in agriculture, industry, and climate mitigation. ProClime will invest up to $1 mln in phased implementation, while local communities will be engaged in biomass collection, earning Rs 2.50 per kg plus incentives. The programme is projected to create nearly 50,000 person-days of income annually, along with direct employment in plant operations. Skill development on safe collection, biochar use in agriculture, and climate adaptation will also be provided. The initiative is designed to reduce forest fire risks, eradicate invasive species such as lantana, improve soil health, promote sustainable biomass use, and bolster Himachal Pradesh’s green initiatives.

Climate finance was a key topic of discussion during Rio Climate Action Week, with the presentation of a study early in the event finding that transitioning to a low-carbon economy could double Brazil’s economic growth by 2030.

Producers reached the lowest net length in the futures and options market for California Carbon Allowances (CCAs) of the year, but expanded their net length position for RGGI Allowances (RGAs), according to the latest figures from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

Carbon class - Brazil's National Foundation of Indigenous People (Funai) held a REDD+ training workshop this week in Brasilia to strengthen knowledge about climate change and the commercialisation of carbon credits. The workshop was aimed at technicians from the Regional Coordination (CRs) and the General Coordination of Environmental Management (CGGAM), linked to the Directorate for the Promotion of Sustainable Development (DPDS) of Funai, as well as employees and partners of the event. Among the partners were the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), the UN Development Program (UNDP), and the German Technical Cooperation Agency (GIZ), in addition to the National REDD+ Commission (CONAREDD+).

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Friday it is withdrawing or terminating $679 million in funding for 12 offshore wind projects, including several in RGGI-participating states.

MRV for Utah - The University of Utah’s Energy and Geoscience Institute recently announced that it has receive approval from the US EPA for a monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) plan under the Clean Air Act. The MRV plan was developed in partnership with CoolSky Energy Solutions, and will be used to quantify carbon injected via a Class II underground well associated with the Lisbon Valley Gas Plant for 45Q tax credits. It’s the first approved MRV plan in the state of Utah.

EPS amendments - Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks has finalised a series of amendments to its Emissions Performance Standards (EPS) programme. Under the changes, facilities that voluntarily participate in the programme can now choose to exit, which had only been allowed under certain conditions previously. The updates go into effect immediately. The Ontario EPS took effect in 2022.

Following the money - Brazil's Ministry of Finance (MF) has launched an Ecological Transformation Plan monitoring dashboard, developed in partnership with the Getulio Vargas Foundation, to track the country's progress across six themes: sustainable finance, technological strengthening, bioeconomy and agri-food systems, energy transition, circular economy, and new infrastructure. Announced in 2023, the Ecological Transformation Plan is a comprehensive strategy by the federal government to boost the Brazilian economy towards sustainability, decarbonisation, and innovation.

Latin American airline executives this week warned that without regulatory harmonisation and stronger coordination, the region risks losing its edge in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and in supplying the UN's CORSIA aviation decarbonisation and offsetting scheme.

Nature-based projects currently in the design phase in Peru could generate 78.6 million carbon credits over the next 40 years, according to a study, with developers anticipating a more structured market and higher prices for credits from the country amid the implementation of Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement and other enabling conditions.

A North Dakota landowner group is celebrating a Thursday court decision that allows its suit against the state’s carbon injection well programme to proceed after it was previously dismissed by a lower court.

The international community should adopt a new framework to integrate climate and biodiversity goals under the three Rio Conventions that goes beyond nature-based solutions (NbS), a group of climate scientists proposed in an article published on Thursday.

But her emails – Emails obtained by E&E News via a Freedom of Information Act request show that an offshore wind critic played a role in the Trump administration’s decision to stop construction on a wind project off the cost of New York. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum halted construction of Empire Wind earlier this year, saying scientists revealed the Biden administration had rushed approval based on flawed science, although the Trump administration has refused to release the study used to back the stoppage. Now, emails show that Annie Hawkins – who helmed a fishing industry group opposed to coast wind projects before joining NOAA – was one several officials included in a planning email days before the halt. However, it’s unclear what role Hawkins played in deliberations.

Preparing for COP – SEMARNAT’s Undersecretary of Sustainable Development and Circular Economy Jose Samaniego said during a forum that Mexico is aiming to showcase a regulatory and economic framework for reducing emissions at the upcoming COP 30 conference, according to Expansion. This framework will consist of three components: strict regulation of certain sectors like the automotive industry, an emissions trading system, and offset mechanisms for sectors that cannot fully meet their emissions reduction targets. Samaniego added that this framework will be supported by Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

European carbon rose strongly on Friday, posting the highest settlement price in three weeks as sustained buying around the daily auction was followed by consolidation and another approach to a key resistance level in the afternoon, as August came to an end with the smallest month-on-month move in almost five years.

The European Parliament lawmaker appointed to write an opinion report on the EU’s proposed 2040 climate target published his first draft on Thursday, saying the EU must meet its climate goals domestically, without using international carbon credits.

A member of the World Bank Group and an international investment bank plan to channel a maximum of $1 billion into Latin American sustainability and development projects by the end of 2028, the partners announced this week.

EU’s car CO2 targets “no longer feasible” – The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) urged the EU to revise its car CO2 emission targets, arguing they are “no longer feasible” under current market and supply chain conditions. In a letter to the European Commission sent on Wednesday, ACEA said “the industrial, economic, and geopolitical realities have changed drastically” since the targets were adopted two years ago, citing slowing electric vehicle demand and logistical constraints. The group emphasised its commitment to decarbonisation but called for more flexible regulatory timelines as the industry faces persistent headwinds.

The European Commission on Friday launched public consultations on two major EU initiatives – the Electrification Action Plan and the Heating and Cooling Strategy, both designed to accelerate decarbonisation and advance towards climate neutrality.

France-EU deal on hydroelectricity – France and the European Commission have reached an agreement that clears the way for renewed investments in the French hydroelectric sector, following more than a decade of legal disputes. The breakthrough was announced on Thursday by the French Prime Minister’s office, resolving two long-standing issues regarding the legal regime of hydroelectric concessions and the market position of EDF, unlocking stalled modernisation and expansion projects. The plan will shift most hydro operations from a concession regime to an authorisation framework, retain existing operators, and require EDF to auction six gigawatts of hydro capacity. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou called the agreement “an excellent news” enabling hydro investment reforms to finally proceed.

Forestry fund expansion – France-based asset manager France Valley has recently opened up its pan-European forestry fund to new investors, having launched in 2021 with €150 mln in seed capital. The evergreen vehicle, classified as Article 9 under the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, now extends access to private and institutional investors across Europe, with the firm overseeing more than €5 bln in real assets, about one-fifth linked to natural capital.

The European Commission plans to publish three key set of rules for the implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in the fourth quarter of this year, it said in a call for feedback that opened on Thursday.

Ghana’s cocoa industry is set to develop a series of projects aimed at generating carbon credits while boosting livelihoods for smallholder farmers, under a new partnership announced this week.

Misguided attempts - Brussels attempts to appease the Trump administration on trade are both futile and run counter to the EU's commitment to climate action, argued Carbon Market Watch (CMW). The framework agreement signed last week between the EU and US sees the EU pledge to purchase huge amounts of US fossil fuels and militiary hardware in a bid to ending the escalating tariff war. It also sees the bloc promise to water down a number of EU green laws, such as the Deforestation Regulation, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, but doing so fundamentally threatens alignment with the EU Green Deal, wrote CMW. The framework agreement also promises additional flexibilities for US exporters under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, even though the mechanism would have a negligeable effect on US trade. The deal suggests a "troubling tendency on the part of the EU to appease rather than stand up to the Trump administration", wrote CMW.

India has signed its first carbon trading bilateral agreement with Japan under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), it was announced Friday.

Marine drilling - Germany's environment ministry has proposed banning oil and natural gas drilling projects in marine protected areas along the country's coast, reported news outlet Tagesspiegel Background. The only exception would be for the exploration and extraction of sand and gravel. The draft law is reportedly being discussed in government and may be decided by cabinet next week. Gas from domestic suppliers meets only around 5% of Germany's gas demand, with the majority coming from Norway, the US, and other countries.

The Australian government has awarded a non-profit A$6.4 million ($4.1 mln) to improve emissions accounting in the agriculture sector, it announced.

Thailand published a list of project types eligible for carbon credit transfers under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement this week, paving the way for cross-border deals after signing an implementation agreement with Singapore earlier this month.

Greener savings - Aegon has launched its Aegon Investment Grade Climate Transition Fund, aiming to support the low-carbon transition whilst delivering good investor returns. The new fund by the Dutch financial services company will mainly invest in global investment-grade corporate bonds, with flexibility to include select high-yield bonds and cash. It aims to outperform the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Corporate Index over rolling 36-month periods, net of fees, and comes two months after Europe eased state aid rules to boost environmentally friendly projects. (Reuters)

Permits in China's national emissions market fell below the RMB 70 ($9.78) mark, the lowest level in around two months, as selling pressure stemming from the current carryover rule continued to weigh on allowance prices.

A German steel producer is urging the EU to slow down the timeline for cutting free industrial carbon permits in the bloc's ETS, due to slower than expected progress on decarbonisation and wider macroeconomic pressures.

Tough times - Climate change-driven extreme weather events are severely impacting the mental health of British farmers, according to a study by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU). Nine in 10 farmers reported increased anxiety following last year's poor harvest and this year's record dry spring, with 60% saying they felt depressed during periods of extreme weather such as flooding and droughts. ECIU found 98% of British farmers claim to have faced extreme weather events in the past five years, with extreme rainfall reported by 86%, drought by 78%, and heatwaves by 54%. Some 87% of UK farmers said extreme weather had reduced productivity, 84% said it had decreased crop yield or livestock output, and 29% have suffered complete losses because of it. Yet only 24% reported seeking help for feelings of anxiety and depression, potentially due to general perceptions of farmer stoicism.

A major benchmark provider is planning to discontinue three voluntary carbon market assessments because of “changing dynamics”, it said Friday.

Gas treaty – The Netherlands and Germany have signed a bilateral treaty to jointly exploit transboundary hydrocarbon fields in the North Sea. The treaty lays out agreements on the distribution of: expected quantities of gas, and costs and revenues between license holders and countries. The company ONE-Dyas will extract gas from the N05-A field and potentially connected fields in the Gateway to the Ems (GEMS) region. It is estimated these fields could produce 50 bcm of gas over the next 20 years. ONE-Dyas will use energy from the nearby German Riffgat wind farm and the platform has been built lower to be less visible from the coast to allow "relatively gas clean extraction while respecting the environment", the Dutch government said. The project fits into the recently concluded sectoral agreement to responsibly extract remaining natural gas from the North Sea, it added. ONE-Dyas will explore the possibility of a pilot project for offshore hydrogen production on the N05-A platform at a later stage, and sees scope for CO2 storage in the area. (Dutch government)

The head of this year's UN climate talks in Brazil has urged the global private sector to see climate action as an opportunity, emphasising that the business world will be an "indispensable partner" in meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, in the latest letter sent by the COP30 host nation to stakeholders.

Leading European energy efficiency companies and sector associations have called on EU policymakers to preserve explicit references to the “Energy Efficiency First” (EE1st) principle in the forthcoming EU Climate Law, warning that its removal from the draft compromise text would weaken investment signals and jeopardise climate targets.

UK citizens broadly support carbon removal (CDR) and nature-based solutions (NbS) as an important part of achieving net zero, but hold doubts over whether specific techniques will work in practice, a survey published Thursday has found.

Pressure on - German trade union IG BCE has accused the government’s CO2 pricing and emissions trading policy of endangering industry and jobs, reports Die Welt. The group, a large industry lobby, claims that tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of factories are at risk, with chemical production already down 20%, as producers now face rising carbon pricing exposure. While other major economies protect their industries, Germany is allegedly undermining its own competitiveness, the group said. The union now demands emergency support and suspension of emissions trading for struggling companies, warning that current climate policy threatens national prosperity.

A Zurich-based carbon removal (CDR) financier this week announced it will buy more than 50,000 tonnes from biochar facilities in Southeast Asia.

Macao International Carbon Emission Exchange (MEX) has launched a blockchain project for carbon credit trading to reduce the risk of greenwashing, it announced Friday.

Carbon capture champions - Capsol Technologies has been awarded an engineering contract to be included in a pre-FEED study for the next project phase of a major bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) project in Europe by an undisclosed client. The project with capture capacity exceeding 500,000 tonnes of CO2 annually marks another step forward for Capsol, which is providing carbon capture technology to Stockholm Exergi's BECCS project that reached financial close in March. The undisclosed client of this next project has not yet made a final technology choice but Capsol's inclusion at this stage is a sign of its confidence in Capsol's offering, stated the press release Friday. Capsol's engineering work has started and will be delivered in Q3 2025.

Cashing in - Indonesia has launched the fourth phase of its results-based contribution (RBC) investment plan with Norway, Hijau Bisnis reported, citing Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni. The scheme recognises a 43.2 MtCO2 of reduction between 2016-20, the minister said, adding that the plan will prioritise forest governance, peatland restoration, biodiversity protection, and community participation. Norway had as of February this year contributed $216 mln for the Southeast Asian country reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Additionally, the ministry rolled out the third phase of community environmental grants, distributing roughly $300,000 to grassroots groups.

Top regulators in China's Guangdong province have released a policy document that legally recognises carbon allowances as pledges for loans, the first regional government in the country to do so.

Blue Carbon - Malaysia’s federal government is set to develop policies and launch a blue carbon credit trading platform, in collaboration with the government of Sabah, Finance Minister Amir Hamzah Azizan announced during a recent parliament session, Bernama reported. The initiative will focus on preserving and managing marine and coastal ecosystems – including mangrove forests. It will also support climate mitigation, marine biodiversity, and socioeconomic benefits for coastal communities. The plan forms part of a broader strategy to position Sabah as a regional blue economic hub, including sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, blue renewable energy like ocean thermal conversion, and green shipping.

A Japanese major has taken a position in a company that assists others in meeting Australia’s Safeguard Mechanism requirements, the latter said Friday.

One after another - Japanese project developer Bywill has secured another two partnerships with domestic financial institutions to support the creation of carbon credits, according to company statements released Friday. It has concluded a collaboration agreement with the government of Aichi Prefecture's Iwakura city and Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank to develop domestically issued J-Credits. Bywill recently also signed a customer referral agreement with Takanabe Shinkin Bank to promote decarbonisation in Miyazaki prefecture.

Almost there – The Indian government is very close to finalising the roadmap and funding outlay for its Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) Mission, aimed at decarbonising hard-to-abate industrial sectors, Business Standard reported. Rajnath Ram, NITI Aayog’s energy and environment advisor, confirmed the plan is in advanced stages. NITI Aayog is the apex public policy think tank for the government. Ram noted that India must sharply increase natural gas consumption to achieve its target of lifting the fuel’s share to 15% of the energy mix by 2030. He added that in order to achieve this, three priorities must be met: securing assured long-term supply, ensuring affordability, and expanding domestic production through compressed biogas (CBG).

Incubation - Fifteen clean energy and climate solution startups were selected this week for incubation by a joint partnership between Australia and Indonesia, namely KINETIC, according to a press release. The incubator will give startups eight weeks of mentoring and access to investors. Thereafter, five be awarded a share of IDR 1.6 bln ($97,000) in funding to pilot their ideas. Through the partnership, Australia is investing $130 mln to assist Indonesia in accessing climate finance and develop climate resilient infrastructure.

Tenders out - Australia opened two Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) tenders Friday in Western Australia. In a statement, energy minister Chris Bowen said the funding would unlock A$4 bln ($2.6 bln) in additional private investment for the electricity market in the state’s southwest and capital Perth. They are expected to add 1.6 GW of renewable generation backed by 2.4 GWh of battery storage to the wholesale power market. Proponents have 10 weeks to submit their bids. The CIS is part of the government's plans to have 82% renewable electricity in operation by the end of the decade across Australia’s major grids. The WA grid is not connected to the eastern states' grid - the National Electricity Market.

Government secrecy - The Australian Senate has launched an inquiry into what its terms of reference refer to as the government's secrecy and withholding of the national Climate Risk Assessment report from the public since Dec. 2024. The matter has been referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee and is due to report by Nov. 20. The inquiry will also explore the research, consultation, and preparation of the assessment by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Water, the expected ongoing community impacts expected, and the budgetary costs of both climate driven natural disasters and any government adaptation plans. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen has previously said the report will be published next month.

Fragmented fallout - In a recent report, the Royal Bank of Canada warned that Canada’s fragmented carbon pricing system could leave domestic industries exposed as other countries move ahead with border carbon tariffs. The bank said Ottawa is considering its own border carbon adjustment to level the playing field, but with the EU already implementing one and US lawmakers advancing similar proposals, Canadian exporters risk facing new costs if policies are not better aligned.

Crimson tide in Maine - A team of scientists with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute conducted the US’s first ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) trial in federal waters earlier this month. On Aug. 13, researchers dispersed 16,500 gallons of sodium hydroxide into the surface ocean waters of the Gulf of Maine, turning the seawater into an intense crimson colour, according to a fishing industry observer. The experiment came after three years of planning, which included an EPA public comment period that attracted pushback from the region’s fishing industry.

Roadless rule repeal takes step forward - The US Department of Agriculture has initiated the public comment period in its effort to rescind a 24-year-old rule that protects vast swaths of national forests from road development, known as the roadless rule. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the start of the public comment period Wednesday, which seeks comments on the agency’s intention to develop an environmental impact assessment for the proposed repeal of the rule. The public comment period will run through Sept. 19.

Pollution-free pupils - A new study from the World Resources Institute, a global research organisation, and Carleton University estimated that replacing diesel-burning school buses with electric models could deliver $1.6 bln in annual health and climate benefits across the US. The research, published on Thursday, modelled county-level impacts nationwide, linking diesel bus emissions to premature deaths and climate damages and finds that every state would benefit from electrification. The largest gains found were in in New York, California, Texas and Florida. Benefits are greatest in communities with older diesel fleets, which are often in districts with higher shares of low-income households.

The Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM) is drafting an action plan on how carbon credits under the national emissions trading system (Portuguese: SBCE) would function in financial markets, a representative for the regulator said at an event in Sao Paulo on Thursday.

Check your numbers - The Quebec government is proposing that emissions attributed to biomethane be verified, even though such emissions are not covered under the state's joint cap-and-trade system with California. The draft regulation is open to a 45-day public consultation until Oct. 11.

California Carbon Allowances (CCAs) declined slightly week-on-week, though significant volumes were traded following the publication of Q3 auction results Wednesday, as traders commented on the improved market confidence despite legislative uncertainty.