An ocean alkalinity project’s first credit issuances have been hailed as an important step for marine carbon removal (mCDR), while they have also highlighted significant gaps in scientific evidence, environmental monitoring, and data transparency, according to new analysis

Researchers have demonstrated that satellite-based radar can accurately track peat subsidence in degraded tropical peatlands, offering a scalable and cost-effective tool to strengthen carbon accounting frameworks and support the development of peatland-based carbon credits.

Next in line - Australia has launched the eighth tender of the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) for the National Electricity Market which will add 16 GWh of clean dispatchable energy storage, such as batteries, the government announced. The CIS is now accepting aggregating projects, between 5-30 MW, into the bidding process, reflecting the growing role of smaller businesses in Australia's renewable energy market, the government said. Bid submissions close on Feb. 6, 2026. The CIS is part of the government's efforts to reach 82% renewables by 2030, seen as crucial to achieving its emissions reduction target of 43% below 2005 levels by the same date.

Edinburgh-based carbon credit certifier Plan Vivo is consulting on a set of guidelines for its first coastal blue carbon methodology, proposing a flexible framework that allows multiple interventions to be combined, and opening the door for expansion into other blue carbon ecosystems in the future.

Peru is preparing to significantly expand its national carbon registry (RENAMI), with the environment ministry expecting to recognise the full suite of methodologies of two international standards by mid-2026, while advancing in the approval process of projects aiming to generate credits for bilateral agreements and secure one more bilateral agreement.

Permits in China's national emissions market over the past week retreated to RMB 60 ($8.47), despite a recent regulatory update, with analysts expecting carbon prices to hover around the same level towards year-end.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) should drop the requirement that removal credits must have Article 6 authorisation under the Paris Agreement in the new Corporate Net-Zero Standard to count for neutralisation, market participants have urged.

A Chinese institute has last week launched two new voluntary standards for carbon removals and biodiversity during COP30 in Belem, according to local media reports.

South Korea's carbon market reforms should ensure electricity price pass-through and include a clear market stabilisation system, according to a report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) this week.

A Japanese startup dedicated to low-carbon pig farming solutions and carbon credit projects has raised JPY 1.4 billion ($8.9 mln) in its latest financing round to support business expansion, it announced Friday.

Blue carbon – Japanese energy company Eneos and the Hokkaido Research Organisation (DRI) have begun large-scale seaweed surveys and aquaculture tests in waters around Hokkaido, Japan, with the aim of verifying the creation of large-scale blue carbon. The project focuses on studying native kelp species, identifying optimal growing conditions, and measuring carbon absorption and fixation. With DRI’s marine research expertise and Eneos’ experience in blue carbon credit initiatives, the partners aim to develop large-scale cultivation methods that could support future J-Blue Credit generation while strengthening local fisheries and advancing Japan’s carbon-neutral goals.

Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement is looking past the mitigation benefits of its coastal and marine ecosystems, a report highlighted this week, saying the potential of blue carbon remains “largely untapped”.

High Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) inventories has led to a bank cutting its carbon target price, while remaining bearish on the New Zealand market due to weak sentiment.

To be burned - The government of Austalian state New South Wales on Friday approved a pilot methane-abatement project at Illawarra Coal’s Appin mine, where a regenerative thermal oxidiser, essentially a high-heat chamber that sucks in the mine’s ventilation air, will be installed to burn methane. The technology is expected to cut emissions by about 36,000 tonnes a year without affecting the mine’s coal output. In 2024, Australia’s coking coal mines emitted about 867,000 tonnes of methane, or 71.5 MtCO2e using IEA's 20-year global warming potential.

Cooking something up - Australian companies Viva Energy and Origin Energy have signed an MoU to develop a proof of concept for the creation of bio-LPG production at the former's Geelong refinery, they announced. The collaboration, if successful, could see Viva manufacture bio-LPG using domestically-sourced used cooking oil and other feedstock, with Origin looking to onsell the gas to its customers, according to a statement. The two companies hope to establish a viable business case for the bio-LPG supply change which could set the stage for a long-term supply arrangement. Exploring market development, establishing transparent pricing models, and joint advocacy for the carbon accounting frameworks needed to support the commercialisation of bio-LPG, will all fall within the project's scope, they said.

Nature credit – The Asian Development Bank has approved a $77 mln loan to support a green-development project in the Indian state of Meghalaya, that combines ecotourism, climate-smart agriculture, and forest conservation to bolster biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods, it announced. Under the plan, 25,000 ha of community forests will be restored through performance-based payments for ecosystem services, while farmers will receive support to rehabilitate degraded lands and adopt sustainable practices. The project also includes a $1 mln technical-assistance grant to build institutional capacity, strengthen market linkages, and implement financing, including the use of carbon and biodiversity credits to reward conservation and restoration efforts, the multilateral development bank said.

Carbon kiosk - Indonesia wrapped up its COP30 pavilion in Belem with 2.75 mln untils in carbon purchase or investment interest, Indonesia Business Post reported, citing Ary Sudijanto of the environment ministry. The two-week showcase featured 44 carbon credit projects across energy, forestry, and waste. During the showcase, Indonesia also signed a deal with Norway for 12 mln ITMOs from renewable energy. Still, details about buyer identity, carbon credit prices, and total transaction value, are yet to be published. The Southeast Asian country also plans to launch an international roadshow to showcase its forestry credits to potential investors and buyers before the end of the year.

The gap between Australian Safeguard facilities' baselines and actual emissions has climbed by some 50% in the reformed scheme’s second compliance cycle, according to preliminary findings published by the Clean Energy Regulator.