Savanna methodology - Colombia-based BioCarbon Standard has opened a public consultation on Version 2.0 of its BCR0005 methodology for activities preventing the conversion of natural savannas, it announced Friday via LinkedIn. The updated methodology revises scope and applicability, baseline and additionality criteria, and treatment of fire, leakage, and reversal risks, while integrating BioCarbon’s last MRV tools. Stakeholders can submit comments until Jan. 30, 2026

Patagonian macro-project - The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and local developer Halkis presented a soil carbon project for Patagonia at an event in Neuquen province this week, detailing plans to generate voluntary carbon credits through large-scale regenerative grazing practices, Agrositio reported. The binational Argentina-Chile ESTEPPA programme aims to develop a soil organic carbon project, with credits generated from changes in livestock management that increase carbon stocks in grassland soils. TNC said the initiative ultimately seeks to scale up to 10 mln ha of Patagonian rangelands by 2030, with an estimated mitigation potential of more than 5.5 MtCO2e per year. The first implementation phase will focus on a 200,000-ha cluster by 2026. ESTEPPA aims to register under Verra’s VCS.

Colima fund - Mexico’s Colima state plans to finance community environmental and climate mitigation projects through a fund that could reach up to MXN$ 60 mln ($3.5 mln), sourced from its carbon tax and managed via the State Environmental Fund, local authorities told Colima University's newspaper on Friday. The mechanism will prioritise state-level nature-based solutions, which aligns to the regulations adopted in December by the state for its carbon credit compensation system.

The voluntary carbon market (VCM) largely stabilised in 2025 after the sharp contraction that began in 2022, marking a transition out of the downturn phase seen over the previous two years, according to a new report.

Combining drone data with satellite metrics can significantly improve carbon stock monitoring in tropical forests where field plots are limited, according to a peer-reviewed study published Friday.

A roughly C$14 million ($10 mln) grant will fund the expansion of Indigenous-led conservation initiatives across Canada, targeting greater access to carbon and nature finance for First Nations.

Brazil agri reporting pilot – Diginex, a sustainable RegTech business, has signed a joint venture framework agreement with Brazil’s Mato Grosso state and local partner BGlobal to develop a digital ESG and decarbonisation infrastructure producing auditable emissions and sustainability data, starting with a pilot in the beef sector, the company said. The platform aims to standardise measurement and reporting across agricultural value chains, support the state’s Passaporte Verde export initiative, and generate data capable of underpinning credible carbon and nature-based applications, while remaining focused on governance and transparency.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) announced a new direction for its Trillion Trees (1t.org) project this week, transforming it into a broader alliance aimed at encouraging the private sector to invest in forests.

A US-registered forestry and agriculture fund manager has raised $52.5 million in the first close of its second farmland vehicle, aiming to make its inaugural investments in early 2026.

Nepal has become the first Asian country to sign an agreement with the LEAF Coalition, unlocking up to $55 million in results-based climate finance for forest protection in a major step towards the use of jurisdictional REDD+ credits in international compliance markets.

The European Commission has signed off on its first set of EU-wide carbon farming certification methodologies with almost no substantive changes compared to a draft that leaked last week, locking in proposed accounting rules and a generous transitional regime for early projects.

The government is being called on to better resource the development of Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) methodologies, as well as prioritising those that integrate biodiversity, as part of an ongoing review of the scheme.

Upcoming webinar - Verra will host a webinar on Feb. 24 at 1000 ET/1500 GMT to provide an overview of its ABACUS label, a designation launched in 2024 with an Amazon-led working group that identifies carbon credits generated under Verra’s Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation methodology (VM0047) that exceed baseline methodological requirements. The session will cover label eligibility criteria, validation and verification requirements, insights from applying the label, and next steps for its further development, alongside responses to frequently asked questions. A representative from Amazon will join the discussion to share perspectives on market demand and pricing dynamics for labelled credits. Register here.

Timber credit oversight - The West Virginia Senate Energy, Industry, and Mining Committee approved Senate Bill 118 (SB 118) creating a Division of Forestry-administered Forest Carbon Registry tracking properties encumbered by forest carbon offset agreements. Carbon project developers or landowners must submit geographic information system shapefiles, landowner and developer contact information, project dates, duration, and forest management obligations within 120 days of executing carbon offset projects, with county courthouse filing required by July 1, 2027. The bill is similar to another legislative initiative introduced in the legislature in Mar. 2025. Senator Eric Tarr (R) introduced the legislation responding to concerns about private carbon market deals lacking reporting requirements. The bill has advanced to the Finance Committee, according to Charleston Gazette-Mail.

Offset shore - Washington's Department of Ecology (ECY) is seeking expressions of interest for an exploratory working group to evaluate feasibility of a Blue Carbon Offset Protocol under the state's cap-and-invest programme, covering aquatic ecosystems including seagrass beds, wetlands, and riparian forests. The ECY disclosed it would roll out this working group as it announced rulemaking to update its forestry offset protocol. The working group beginning mid-March will examine potential pathways for protocol development based on voluntary market blue carbon protocols, novel approaches, and scientific research. The ECY is seeking expertise in blue carbon ecosystem management, restoration, conservation, and voluntary offset project inventory, development, registration, and verification. Input will inform rulemaking on potential protocol adoption under WAC 173-446.