Trinidad and Tobago has committed to cutting cumulative GHG emissions 15% below a business-as-usual (BAU) baseline by 2035, with most of the ambition conditional on international support, according to its latest Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Carbon Pulse rounds up carbon pricing trends and developments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for Jan. 2026, highlighting state-led responses to international compliance obligations and opportunities, and the UAE’s role as a “great convener”.

CORSIA-eligible spot and futures prices softened last week, although volumes remain very thin amid a market that has yet to strike a balance on fundamentals, sources noted.

Air apparent – Occidental Petroleum CEO Vicki Hollub said direct air capture (DAC) could unlock an estimated 50-70 bln additional barrels from existing oil reservoirs by enabling greater use of CO2 for enhanced oil recovery, Gas World reports. Speaking at Davos last week alongside US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Hollub said captured CO2 can be injected into conventional and shale reservoirs, where recovery rates of around 10% could almost double using the technology. She argued that oil produced this way could be “net zero or very close to it”, as the CO2 stored underground would be equal to or greater than emissions released when the oil is used.

Turkiye has appointed a high-level climate champion with experience in civil society and the United Nations to lead its work with businesses, investors, local governments, and others around November's COP31, the UNFCCC announced on Monday.