Phytoplankton-based carbon removal (CDR) holds potential for reaching climate-relevant scales but remains uncertain for deployment, with further research required, according to a new report on marine carbon removal (mCDR).

Bahrain is witnessing rising domestic interest in carbon pricing, as the major aluminium producer faces stark exposure to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), according to attendees of a sustainability conference held in the country last week.

Carbon prices fell by the most in nearly two years on Thursday as selling activity built steadily through the day and reached a peak in the late afternoon after further news articles speculated that the European Union was considering moderating the ETS' ambition after 2030 to lighten the cost burden on industry.

Clean cooking delivery - The Climate & Clean Air Coalition has funded the UK's Loughborough University to carry out a new project called 'Accelerating eCooking Uptake in Africa and South Asia' (ACUASA). The successful applicant will work with the university and the World Bank’s ESMAP - Energy Sector Management Assistance Program team to provide support on developing carbon finance mechanisms for clean cooking under two World Bank programmes, with potential application for Article 6. Closing deadline is Mar. 1, 2026. More info here.    

Germany's €3 billion state aid scheme to fund clean technology manufacturing received the green light by the European Commission on Thursday.

UK emissions fell to 373 million tonnes of CO2e in 2024, a 3% decrease year-on-year, as official data released Thursday showed how sectors’ trajectories continued to significantly diverge.

The European Investment Bank will lend €3 billion to fund decarbonisation measures that will be paid back via future revenues from the yet-to-be-launched EU carbon market for buildings and transport (ETS2).

The engineered removals market saw a downturn in issuance and retirement volumes in January, month-on-month, but there were signs that the market was able to maintain momentum, with data showing that a healthy volume of forward deals and new investments were agreed.

Germany has the potential to remove as many as 95 million tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere each year by 2045 if it pursues ambitious climate policies, according to a new report.

The UK government is seeking views on ways it can support the transport of carbon outside of pipelines, which it says is vital to developing carbon capture, utilisation, and storage in disconnected areas. 

Higher fuel prices inflated by carbon pricing do modestly increase remote working, but the overall associated carbon savings are limited due to occupational and regional constraints, according to a German study.

The Liberian government "does not, and will not" plan to impose a carbon levy on international ships entering its ports, it said in a rebuttal to the news last week that it would introduce the non-market mechanism.

A carbon standard has released a new methodology for durable biochar for consultation that seeks to align with Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM) rules by incorporating a downward adjustment over time within its framework.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has assumed control of clean energy and cookstove company Koko Networks, after the company failed to secure Kenyan project approval and fell into bankruptcy. 

The rate of atmospheric CO2 increase this year will remain too fast to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C, according to Met Office scientists.

UK electricity generators are struggling to prove the carbon intensity of power exported to the EU – now covered by the bloc's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) – leading to rising cost exposure and trade disruptions only a month after the scheme kicked in.

Major European utility RWE has reported a 10% year-on-year fall in its lignite-fired power output in preliminary generation results published Thursday.

The Saudi state-backed Regional Voluntary Carbon Market Company (VCM) on Thursday continued its streak of geographic expansion via new alliances, announcing exclusive arrangements with several North American carbon market players.

Negotiating tactics - The EU is assessing how to strengthen its approach to future UN Climate Summits by using its trade, finance, and development leverage in the talks, according to an internal EU document seen by Reuters. After frustrations at COP30 in Brazil last year where the bloc struggled to rally supporter for faster and more ambitious action - notably no new global pledges to cut fossil fuel use faster - the EU now wants to up the ante in leveraging its trade and development tools. EU climate ministers will discuss the ideas on Friday at a meeting in Cyprus, which holds the EU's rotating presidency and drafted the document. Some govts also reportedly want a clearer EU line on when to reject future COP deals that it deems too weak.

The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) on Thursday announced a new set of decisions for the award of its Core Carbon Principles (CCP) quality labels, adding forestry and rice cultivation methodologies to its roster.

The European Energy Exchange (EEX), in coordination with the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt) at the German Environment Agency (UBA), has released the preliminary auction calendar for German national emissions trading system certificates (nEHS) for 2026.

Brighter outlook - ArcelorMittal reported fourth-quarter core profit above market projections on Thursday, thanks to lower steel imports into Europe helping to restore profitability to its mills. Shares of the world's second-largest steelmaker rose more than 3% in the first hours of trading, reaching their highest levels since Aug. 2011, and have gained around 25% since the start of the year. The Luxembourg-based company posted EBITDA of $1.59 bln for the quarter, beating analysts' average estimate of $1.51 bln. European steelmakers have welcomed the entry of CBAM from Jan. 1 this year and the expectation of import quotes from July 1, which should help reduce imports and even the playing field for domestic producers. (Reuters)

Climate health kick - NHS Trusts in England are making progress towards net zero but a large number still lack clear plans and measurement practices to curb carbon emissions. Some 21% of Trusts lack a clear roadmap to reach the NHS net zero goals and the same proportion aren't tracking their carbon footprint, according to Freedom of Information (FOI) data from 66 NHS Trusts in England released by Schneider Electric. Whilst 26% still depend heavily on fossil fuels. But technology and digitalisation are improving, with 64% using tech to optimise energy use, 64% having upgraded building systems, and 30% having adopted circular business practices. Nine in 10 Trusts have received funds for decarbonisation, with the capital prioritised on upgrading HVAC systems, investing in solar and energy efficiency, and encouraging behaviour change through training.

Cruise on by - France has officially scrapped a proposed €15 per passenger cruise tax from its 2026 budget following strong industry opposition and govt disagreement with the Senate amendment. The tax would have applied to each passenger per stopover in French ports - it was unexpectedly adopted by the Senate as part of the draft budget law review but has now been removed from the final legislation. It would have generated an estimated €75 mln for public finances. Cruise liners celebrated its removal, saying they already comply with the EU ETS. (Seatrade Cruise News)

Fertilising reductions - Germany chemical-maker BASF and China’s state-linked fertiliser producer Yunnan Yuntianhua said they have extended their partnership on low-emissions fertilisers in China through 2030, targeting more than 1 MtCO2e emissions cuts by the end of the decade. The companies said verified emissions reductions from their "Limus urease inhibitor project" exceeded 120,000 tCO2e in 2025. The project uses stabilised urea fertilisers that reduce ammonia losses from conventional nitrogen fertilisers, a key source of agricultural emissions. Yuntianhua said it ran 31 field trials and more than 400 outreach events last year to promote adoption among farmers. BASF said it is exploring similar carbon reduction projects with fertiliser makers in other countries.

Adaptation push - France’s development agency Agence Francaise de Developpement has launched a tender to provide technical assistance to the State Bank of India, country's largest bank, to help deploy a climate adaptation tool and build a pipeline of climate-resilient projects, according to a procurement notice published this week. The consultancy will support SBI in meeting adaptation targets under a €100 mln AFD credit line signed in July 2025, which requires at least 30% of funds to go towards climate adaptation investments. The assignment, based within SBI’s ESG and Climate Finance unit in Mumbai, will focus on climate finance expertise and project identification aligned with AFD requirements. Bids are open to individual firms or multiple firms specialising in climate and green finance, with submissions due by Mar. 6, 2026.