The first auction of the year for units in New Zealand’s ETS garnered no bids, in line with expectations.

An Australian company developing zero-emissions chemicals for use in hard-to-abate sectors has raised A$30 million ($21.3 mln) in a Series A financing round, led by the Gates Foundation.

Artificial intelligence could help Southeast Asian power grids save up to $67 billion and avoid nearly 400 million tonnes of CO2e by 2035, according to a report launched Tuesday that added on to the list of tall-order expectations from the new technology.

Voluntary carbon credit retirements surged last week to more than 14 million credits across the four main standard bodies, boosted by strong activity from an oil major.

COP30 roadmaps – The UNFCCC has opened a public call for comments on the two roadmaps announced by the COP30 Presidency last year: one on transitioning away from fossil fuels and another on halting and reversing deforestation. Parties, observers, and stakeholders may submit contributions until March 31.

Even if countries stick to their net zero pledges, global temperature rise could reach 2.48C by 2300, with potential for climate-related damages to hit $65 trillion by 2200 unless stronger action is taken, an academic study found.

Five improved forest management (IFM) projects in China show no statistically significant evidence of additional carbon sequestration, while projected removals exceeded empirical estimates by an average factor of 3.7, a new study said.

A large Chinese electric vehicle producer has reported a significant fall in sales year-on-year in February as strong export growth was more than offset by a cooling domestic market in China.

Carbon removal should be treated as “time-bound storage leases” backed by specialist delivery companies, according to a recently published academic paper that argued current markets have failed to deliver liquidity, price discovery, or scale.

Papua New Guinea has formally operationalised its Carbon Permit Application (CPA) process, replacing the previous Project Concept Note system with a structured statutory framework designed to tighten environmental integrity, formalise landowner consent, and provide clearer timelines for project approval.

Chocolate for good - Confectionary company Mars has launched an impact fund committing $85 mln between 2025 and 2027 to programmes across community resilience, scientific support, and companion animal health. Initial funding includes a $3 mln, three-year programme with Save the Children to expand village savings and loan associations in cocoa-growing regions of Indonesia. A further $726,000 will go to Humane World for Animals to improve access to veterinary services and professional training in India and Mexico. The fund will also act as Mars' primary mechanism for disaster response affecting employees, communities, and supply chains. From 2028, Mars plans to increase the fund’s scale with a minimum annual commitment of $50 mln. (Food & Drink International)

Renewable energy capacity in Australia’s development pipeline is more than triple what is forecast to be needed to reach net zero emissions, but is being bogged down in approval processes, according to an analysis.

Fine-tuning - A working group under Mongolia's parliament is in talks with the environment ministry for the draft revision to the country's forest law. Government officials recently exchanged views on the implementation of the law and related research, according to a release by the parliament. The working group aims to improve the protection of the interests of citizens and businesses living in forest areas, as well as to develop more detailed regulations within the national afforestation programme. Mongolia has launched a national campaign to plant a billion trees by 2030.  

Navigating complexities - Taiwan's environment ministry will set up a platform to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adapt to the EU CBAM, Taipei Times reported. Taiwanese CBAM goods imported by the EU totalled 3.74 mln tonnes during the transitional period, most of which were steel products such as screws and fasteners. According to the ministry, about 2,600 Taiwanese SMEs produce such goods.

A UK carbon project developer and a Singapore-based merchant bank have signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with the government of the Kyrgyz Republic to support the development of country’s carbon market under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Energy pact - India and Canada signed a strategic partnership on Monday covering LNG, LPG, uranium, solar, and hydrogen. Saskatoon-based Cameco said it will supply nearly 22 mln pounds of uranium to India between 2027-35 for nuclear power generation, at a deal worth $1.9 bln. The two sides also signed agreements on critical minerals and broader energy supply chains including solar, wind, biofuels, and hydropower.

China's Guangdong province has decided to cut the free allocation of CO2 permits to strengthen its regional ETS, while regulators in Shanghai recently introduced a trust mechanism to create a carbon allowance reserve.

The total number of hectares in New Zealand’s ETS went backwards in February as hardly any new applications were submitted, according to government data published Monday.

The Australian Coalition opposition party say they will reintroduce powers to allow the federal agriculture minister to veto large proposed carbon credit projects and do away with reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism, according to local media.

Battery bonanza - More than 250,000 households, small businesses, and community organisations have installed subsidised batteries under the Australian government's Cheaper Home Batteries programme, it announced. The programme has delivered about 6.3 GWh of storage and often paired with new or upgraded solar systems, the government said. Energy minister Chris Bowen said the milestone shows strong uptake of practical clean-energy technology that cuts bills while improving reliability and supporting the shift to renewables.

Investment -  Japanese utility J-Power has invested in a carbon exchange operator JGX for an undisclosed amount, according to a company statement. JGX provides consulting services about carbon credit creation and emissions management, while operating a J-Credit trading platform. J-Power said it will support JGX's business and technology development, as well as use the latter's marketplace to sell credits generated from its power projects.

First overseas project - Tokyo-based Linkhola has launched a carbon credit project that aims to cut emissions in Thailand based on the solar power purchase agreement (PPA) model, the first overseas project under its crediting programme Earthstory. Credits from the project, developed based on a J-Credit methodology, will be issued in May, Linkhola said, without disclosing more project details. The company also said it aims to expand its presence in the ASEAN region.

The investment arm of a Tokyo gas provider has invested in a UK-based carbon removal (CDR) intelligence and due diligence platform.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are being systematically shut out of global climate finance despite facing some of the most acute climate impacts, according to a report released Monday that said funders view these nations as too small, fragmented, and risky to support.