An Australian federal court on Tuesday dismissed a first-of-its-kind case brought against an oil and gas company over its net zero target.

PRF ratification – Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands have ratified the treaty to establish the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat said in a press release on Saturday. This brings the number of countries which have ratified it to five – a total of eight signatories is required for it to enter into force. The Tonga-hosted PRF is the first Pacific-owned and -led climate finance vehicle, which is designed to support projects in the region to address loss and damage, climate resilience, or social and community endeavours. The fund is aiming to raise $500 mln by the end of 2026, and COP31 will include a session focused on climate finance needs of Small Island Developing States, which will act as a platform for pledges to the PRF. To date, the PRF has received pledges of $167 mln, including from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the US. In Dec. 2025, Korea said it would pledge to the facility this year.

Kiln it – Todd Rexine, conservation director at Great River Greening, explained at a recent webinar how the Minnesota non-profit launched a biochar initiative to deal with rising wood waste from restoration work and invasive species. Great River Greening researched and adopted low-tech flame-cap kilns to convert wood waste into biochar that can be returned to sites or reused. Since 2023 they have facilitated 202 cubic yards of biochar (164 to date), engaged 500-plus stakeholders, expanded kiln rentals, and developed Minnesota-specific best practices and contractor specs, which will be released soon.

Ammonia afloat – Floating production firm BW Offshore has unveiled a blue ammonia floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) concept with McDermott International to convert offshore natural gas into lower-carbon fuel. The unit is designed to process up to 3 mln cubic metres of gas per day and produce more than 1 mln tonnes of ammonia annually. Carbon capture would abate up to 99% of process CO2, targeting a carbon intensity of around 0.5 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of ammonia. Ammonia would be liquefied and offloaded directly to carriers, avoiding onshore infrastructure and enabling export to international markets.

Mineral matters – Electrified capture of CO2 from air using a reversible manganese-based mineralisation process can cut energy use to 4.1 GJ per tonne, researchers have reported. The study, published in Nature Energy, described a system that reduces manganese oxide to form a reactive Mn(III) species that binds CO2 as a solid carbonate, reversing under oxidative potential to release a pure CO2 stream. Tests at 0.04% CO2 achieved an 80% single-pass capture rate, operated for over 1,000 hours with more than 90% capacity retention, and scaled to 20 cm2 without performance loss.

A California state senator who has led recent efforts to legislate on carbon removals (CDR) will not introduce a new bill this year, instead calling to prioritise regulatory implementation and directing existing climate funds toward the sector, he said on Monday.

A steelmaker estimates it would cost some $157 million to comply with Australia’s Safeguard Mechanism without any mitigating actions, according to its half-year results.

Finding fallout - The Trump administration has finalised the repeal of the US EPA’s 2009 endangerment finding, with President Donald Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin claiming the move will save $1.3 tln by 2055 through lower vehicle prices and reduced electric vehicle spending. However, the EPA’s regulatory impact analysis projects about $1.5 tln in added costs over the same period, including higher fuel purchases and related expenses, outweighing the estimated savings, according to an analysis. This also indicated gasoline prices could rise by around $0.75 per gallon by 2050 if GHG standards are eliminated. Critics say the agency relied on an unrealistic low oil price scenario and failed to account for broader climate and public health costs. (The Guardian)

A blockchain-based carbon registry could strengthen the credibility of transport sector emissions targets and carbon credit projects, a new study said.

EU Innovation Fund event – The European Commission will hold a hybrid stakeholder consultation event on the upcoming Innovation Fund’s 2026 calls for proposals on June 19 in Brussels. The event, announced on Feb. 16, will gather project developers, industry, national authorities and other stakeholders to exchange views on the Innovation Fund 2026 call design. A detailed programme and registration information, is expected to be released shortly. The event will also be  livestreamed. The EU’s Innovation Fund is expected to provide around €40 bln in support over 2020-30, with the exact amount depending on the carbon price in the EU ETS.

Vanuatu vs. United States – The Trump administration is urging other countries to press Vanuatu to withdraw a draft UN General Assembly resolution calling for stronger global climate action, including potential reparations for nations harmed by climate change, AP reports. In a cable sent to US embassies, the State Department said it “strongly objects” to the proposal, warning its adoption could threaten US industry and describing it as an example of UN overreach. The resolution stems from a July advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice, which said countries could violate international law if they fail to protect the planet from climate change and that affected nations could be entitled to reparations. While neither the opinion nor General Assembly resolutions are legally binding, the draft urges compliance with international climate obligations, including limiting warming to 1.5C, phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, and creating an international register of climate damage claims. Vanuatu has pushed for a vote by the end of March, while US officials say several major economies have expressed concerns about aspects of the text. (AP)

Philippines GDP affected by climate risk – Climate change could reduce the Philippines’ GDP by up to 20% by 2070 under a high-emissions scenario, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said in its Economic Survey of the Philippines. According to the OECD, rising sea levels, extreme heat, and damage to land and infrastructure are expected to take an increasing toll on the country’s economy, with potential losses of about 5% by 2040, accelerating to roughly 20% of GDP by 2070 if climate impacts go unchecked. The OECD warned that the downturn could result in output losses, higher inflation, tighter fiscal space, and greater hardship for vulnerable communities, and urged stronger adaptation and mitigation measures to reduce risks.

Zambia Article 6 applications open – Zambia has opened applications for a National Carbon Markets (Article 6) Capacity Building Programme, aimed at strengthening local expertise in carbon finance and project development. The programme is being launched by CarbonSphere Climate Advisory, in partnership with BCM Advisory Consult, and will focus on carbon market development, project preparation and verification under Zambia’s Green Economy and Climate Change Act, 2024. Open to youth, professionals, government officials, community leaders, and private sector participants, the initiative will offer training in Lusaka in April and will cover Article 6 mechanisms, ITMOs, MRV systems and international standards.

Over 2.1 million Core Carbon Principles (CCP)-labelled credits were issued last week – bringing overall tagged issuance close to 90 mln – but CORSIA credits came under pressure, fuelling concern in the airline industry expressing that operators may have to declare a force majeure if available credits under the UN's aviation offsetting scheme don't increase soon.

The EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) adds about €20/MWh to wholesale electricity prices in European power markets compared to the US, according to a German researcher.

European carbon prices extended their losing streak to five days on Monday as growing selling pressure in the afternoon was met with little resistance in the absence of many US traders for a public holiday, and EUAs fell to their lowest in almost seven months before consolidating, while UK carbon posted a modest gain after supportive political statements on EU-UK market linking over the weekend.

A Texas-based carbon registry is migrating more than 2 million issued credits from one blockchain network to another to improve auditability and traceability, it announced.

At today's level of warming, about 40% of the ice stored in West Antarctica may already be on a path of long-term decline, while parts of East Antarctica could cross thresholds at 2-3C of warming, a study has found.

Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) could remove between 350-760 million tonnes of CO2 a year by 2050, depending on the level of ambition in national policies, according to a new scientific paper published on Monday.

TotalEnergies spent a record $73 million on carbon credits in 2025, up 49% from the previous year, according to financial results published last week.

Carbon credits remain the best mechanism to finance and deliver clean-cooking appliances to households across Sub-Saharan Africa, argues Peter Scott, CEO and Founder of cookstove developer Burn.

REDD+ projects in the Brazilian Amazon have recorded lower cumulative deforestation over the past 15 years, but rates have risen again in recent years, a study has found.

Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) has issued a decision requiring non-banking financial institutions to purchase carbon credits from the national database to partially offset company emissions, anticipating a “strong boost” to Egypt’s regulated voluntary carbon market system.

A Berlin-based non-profit has won a court battle against a German newspaper over allegations that cookstoves funded by the city of Hamburg in Nigeria "didn't exist", securing a court-ordered retraction and correction.

Energy investment - Spain is providing €62 mln to the Qualitas Energy Credit Fund, which invests in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure projects, both new and existing across Europe.  The transaction is being implemented by the European Investment Fund (EIF) and financed with capital from the European recovery program NextGenerationEU. It is also part of the Spanish Regional Resilience Fund, which is supervised by the Spanish Ministry of Economic Affairs, Trade, and Enterprise and managed by the EIB Group.

Kenya is set to launch its national carbon registry this week, providing a digital platform designed to centralise tracking, verification, and management of carbon credits and emissions mitigation outcomes.

Miliband-Newsom deal - UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband struck an MoU with California Governor Gavin Newsom, agreeing to cooperate on climate action, sustainable development, nature protection, and support for innovation over five years, DESNZ announced on Monday. The two sides plan to cooperate on five areas, including carbon management and super pollutants, which includes emissions trading and carbon markets, CCUS, greenhouse gas removals, and methane emissions reduction. Other areas include clean energy technology and energy systems, transport decarbonisation, financing for clean energy and climate resilience, and the environment, agriculture, and resilience. To do this, they plan to hold policy dialogues and events, and potentially collaborate with experts on research and pilot projects.  

UK CBAM rates - The UK plans to announce the pilot rates for its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in 4Q 2026, several months earlier than the originally scheduled effective date of Jan. 1, 2027. These pilot rates will allow importers of aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen, and steel to gain early insight into the fees they will face under the carbon border fee, which aims to prevent emissions-intensive imports from undercutting manufacturers subject to the UK ETS. These fees will depend on the amount of carbon emissions generated during the goods production, and the difference between any carbon price in the originating country and that faced by UK producers. Importers can either use the actual emissions data of goods to calculate the fees, or use govt-set default emissions values.

Hedging bets - Indonesia’s state utility PLN is relying heavily on independent power producers to drive capacity growth, with private players accounting for nearly 39% of installed generation as of last year, Petromindo reported, citing a recent bond prospectus. Most projects under development are geothermal and other renewables, including expansion units due online through the early 2030s. Hydro, floating solar, and wind projects are also advancing through long-term coal contracts with some running to 2075, locking PLN into multi-decade payment obligations.

Rural restoration in Brazil - Brazil's Mato Grosso state will provide free environmental compliance support to over 1,500 small landholders through a new rural regularisation programme, it announced at the end of January. The Tangara Rural Regularization Program will help producers complete Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) filings and develop restoration plans for degraded areas, targeting properties up to four fiscal modules in size. The initiative is funded through a partnership between Mato Grosso's government, Brazil's Forest Service, and Germany's KfW Bank, with technical execution by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture. Participating farmers can access assistance via WhatsApp with required documentation including property titles or possession declarations and personal identification.

Taking flight - The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will require airlines and booking platforms to display carbon emissions data for flights departing from or arriving at UK airports by Apr. 2027, it said in a document published this month. The framework mandates that environmental information be accessible, transparent, and calculated using internationally recognised methodologies including Google's Travel Impact Model, the IATA Recommended Practice, or the EASA Flight Emissions Label. Airlines must show CO2 or CO2e per passenger journey and update data at least annually, with the CAA planning to monitor compliance through website reviews during 2027 and publish initial findings later that year. The decision follows a 2024 consultation that received 53 responses, with stakeholders supporting the principles but calling for greater clarity on implementation and expressing divided views on mandatory versus voluntary adoption.

OAE boost - The Carbon to Sea Initiative (C2S) is seeking proposals to assess integrating ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) with municipal wastewater treatment, the non-profit ocean science programme announced last week. The request for proposals aims to produce a technical report evaluating climate, human health, and environmental benefits of combining OAE technologies with wastewater systems, which currently account for an estimated 3-7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. C2S will fund one four-month award of up to $125,000, with proposals due by Mar. 20, 2026. The report will examine geographic feasibility, operational considerations, and risks across two scenarios: existing wastewater treatment infrastructure in regions like North America and Europe, and newly developing systems in areas currently discharging untreated wastewater.

Picking up pace - Taiwan's Ministry of Environment has identified 234 enterprises meeting high-carbon leakage risk criteria across 17 industries and will complete reviews by end of April, enabling carbon fee payments in May, the Climate Change Agency said last week. Approved voluntary reduction plans will be publicly disclosed by end of February. Of 430 voluntary carbon reduction plans submitted by fee recipients under the carbon fee system launched in 2025, 190 have been approved while 24 withdrew applications, with measures expected to deliver approximately 47.45 mln tonnes of CO2e reduction annually by 2030 – exceeding the initial 37 mln tonne estimate. Low-carbon fuel conversion accounts for roughly 55% of reduction measures, process improvement and energy efficiency for 40%, and renewable energy for 5%.

Fuelling incentives - The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has allocated ETS allowances to airlines for verified SAF volumes used in 2024, ESA said last week. The decision implements a new ETS support mechanism designed to accelerate SAF uptake across the EEA by helping close the price gap between fossil kerosene and SAF on flights covered by effective carbon pricing. A total of 20 mln ETS allowances, worth around €1.5 bln at an allowance price of €75 each, are set aside for the scheme across the EEA through 2030. Airlines Norwegian and Wideroe were awarded 208 and 1,762 ETS allowances respectively from the EEA monitoring body, carbon expert Jos Cozijnsen said in a social media post on X. The system applies from 2024 onwards under the latest revision to the ETS Directive.

CCS in Georgia - Block Energy is moving into the next phase of developing CCS in Georgia, after a pilot study at the Patardzeuli oilfield confirmed that it is technically viable for permanent carbon storage, the Georgia-focused company announced on Monday. The pilot study saw just 13.64 tonnes of CO2 dissolved in water and injected into the site, which reach full mineralisation within a quick one to three months, with no evidence of gas phase migration or leakage. In the next phase of development, Block Energy and its JV partner Rustavi Azot will carry out a comprehensive feasibility study to evaluate the potential for scaling up CCS, and what infrastructure is needed for full-scale commercialisation.

The European Commission convened an expert workshop last week to examine the CO2 sequestration potential of direct ocean carbon capture and storage (DOCCS) technologies, launching “exploratory work” towards possible EU wide certification.

The planned introduction of a carbon border adjustment for certain commodities could affect Australia’s carbon market and Safeguard Mechanism in several ways but would be broadly positive if well designed, experts said.

Australian carbon project developers are struggling to stay afloat amid a shortage of new methodologies and a widespread perception that the market is oversupplied, which has made it difficult to attract fresh investment, according to an advisory firm.

Shouldering the burden - India has raised spending on climate action to 5.6% of GDP from 3.7% six years ago, Times of India reported, citing Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, she said India was investing in renewables and carbon capture without waiting for overseas finance or technology, though both were needed. Sitharaman added that two-thirds of India’s renewable energy targets had been met four years ahead of schedule. She also said lower-emitting countries should not bear the same burden as major polluters. Meanwhile, the country's 2035 climate pledge to the UN is still pending.

In progress - Vietnam will complete and publish provincial forest boundary databases and maps by the end of 2026 as part of an action plan to implement the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), state-run news agency VNA reported, citing Forestry and Forest Protection Department. The plan requires provinces to identify coffee, rubber, and timber production areas at risk of deforestation and to issue official compliance guidelines for the timber sector. Authorities will develop EU-aligned monitoring indicators, strengthen traceability systems, and build an integrated digital platform linking planting area codes and sustainable forest management certification data.

In focus - Indonesia is stepping up efforts to embed blue carbon into its climate strategy ahead of COP31 in Turkey, its Marine Affairs Ministry said last week. The ministry added that the country aims to align marine carbon policies with its target to cut emissions by 31.89% unilaterally, or 43.2% with international support, calling for stronger governance, data, and financing frameworks. The Southeast Asian country hosts around 17% of the world’s blue carbon ecosystems including mangroves and seagrasses.

Choose your champion - The Australian government is accepting expressions of interest (EOI) for Australian citizens to be considered for the Presidency Youth Climate Champion (PYCC) role in its capacity as COP31 President of Negotiations, it announced. The PYCC is a high-profile facilitative leadership role designed to strengthen meaningful, inclusive, and effective participation of young people in climate action and climate decision-making, the government said. Applicants should bring credibility, cultural capability, policy fluency, and trust-based leadership, to the role, with particular attention to First Nations and Pacific youth representatives, according to the application factsheet. EOI applications are due by Mar. 1.

Spreading tentacles - The Australian arm of Octopus Group is planning to spend as much as A$20 bln ($14.2 bln) on renewable energy projects in the country over the next five years, Bloomberg reported. Company CEO Sam Reynolds in an interview said Octopus Australia will invest in at least A$15 bln developing assets in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland, adding that 60% of them will be wind projects, while the rest will be split between battery energy storage systems and solar/battery hybrid plants. The company bought two battery projects earlier this month worth A$3 bln in Queensland and NSW.  Australia aims to reach 82% renewable energy by 2030, seen as crucial for achieving its 43% emissions reduction target by the same date.