Producers built and managed money cut their V26 RGGI Allowance (RGA) net holdings during the recent historic surge in futures prices, according to the latest US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) data, which reported V27 RGA data for the first time, showing emitters with net length and managed money with a net short in the vintage.

Canal current – In a Wednesday announcement, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) said the newly-launched $20 mln Project Nexus initiative will install solar panels over irrigation canals can cut evaporation, produce electricity, and improve system efficiency. The project brings together the California Department of Water Resources, Turlock Irrigation District, SolarAquaGrid, and the University of California, Merced in an academic and public-private partnership. Officials added that the pilot will help determine how the solar-over-canals concept could support the state’s clean energy goals and long-term drought resilience.

Verra released on Friday the final version of deforestation risk maps for Colombia, Cambodia, and the Mai Ndombe province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

CPP rulemaking schedule - Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced on Friday four advisory committee meetings from May-Oct. 2026 for the rulemaking for emissions-intensive, trade-exposed (EITE) industrial facilities under its Climate Protection Program (CPP). The committee will hold public meetings from 1000-1600 Pacific/1300-1900 Eastern on May 28, July 29, Sep. 15, and Oct. 21. All meetings will be held both in-person and virtually, except the July one, which will only be virtual. Meeting materials including a committee roster and memo overviewing the rulemaking can be found here, while registration for the July meeting can be found here. A coalition of industry, business, and labour groups recently launched a legal challenge against the CPP, seeking to have it invalidated.

Vermont superfund defence - In a Thursday submission, defenders of Vermont's climate superfund law argued against the Trump administration's ongoing challenge to the policy, saying US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) precedent from Hencely vs. Fluor Corp. undercuts the federal government's arguments that the state law is preempted and precluded by federal authority. Under this precedent, there are "few" and "rare" instances wherein state law is preempted by federal authority without an explicit source, which the US has failed to provide in its arguments, according to the filing by defendants. This constitutes a narrow definition compared to the broad one put forth in the case by the Trump administration. Additionally, plaintiffs have failed to show "significant conflict" between Vermont's policy and US policy, the defendants said, while indirect burdens on the federal government are insufficient grounds for preemption, they added.

Despite persistent attempts by some countries this week to dismantle key elements of the Net-Zero Framework (NZF) for global shipping, including removal of a carbon levy and decarbonisation fund, the framework has survived and is set to form the basis of further discussions.

Spanish translation - The ART Secretariat announced on Friday the posting of translated documents in Spanish for Ecuador's jurisdictional REDD+ (J-REDD+) programme under the TREES standard. The translated documents are available here. A comment period of 30 days has been opened for the translations. All translated documents in the ART Registry are non-certified translations of the official English TREES documents, and are solely for stakeholder reference. In the event of any discrepancy, the English text shall prevail, the secretariat added.

Solar snag – The Carolinas Clean Energy Business Association (CCEBA) has challenged a decision to halt new solar procurements in North Carolina, arguing the move breached regulatory procedures and risks harming commercial energy users, E&E News reported. The industry group, whose members include Clearway, Google, and Duke University, has petitioned the North Carolina Utilities Commission to reverse an order pausing 770 MW of solar procurement for 2026. It said the decision was taken unilaterally by commission chair William Brawley without the required notice and comment period, in violation of state law.

E15 excluded – A US farm bill approved by lawmakers this week excludes a provision to lift summer restrictions on E15 fuel, E&E News reported. The House of Representatives is set to vote separately on an E15 measure on May 13, though its prospects remain uncertain amid Republican opposition, while proposed changes to small refinery exemptions have also drawn criticism from industry. Lawmakers also rejected an amendment to expand the Renewable Fuel Standard's definition of renewable biomass to include residual woody material from forest projects and lumber mills, voting it down 210-216.

FPIC concerns continue – In Brazil, the Articulation of Tocantins for Agroecology (ATA) has handed a document to an official from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA), alleging irregularities in the jurisdictional REDD+ (J-REDD+) programme in Tocantins. The ATA calls for the immediate suspension of the initiative, citing problems in the free, prior, and informed (FPIC) consultation process. The document was presented during a meeting of the Technical Working Group on Safeguards of the National Commission for REDD+ (CONAREDD+). ATA, together with other organisations, have raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the J-REDD+ programme in Tocantins for months. (AF Noticias)

Pure carbon – Montoni Group has launched a nature-based carbon offset programme in Quebec aimed at removing residual emissions from its operations, Sustainable Biz reported on Friday. The Laval-based real estate developer said its ‘Pure’ initiative, which was internally launched in 2025, will focus on tree planting, ecosystem restoration, and conservation. Backed by a C$750,000 ($552,800) investment over three years, the programme is expected to remove 20,000-30,000 tonnes of CO2 by 2040, supporting Montoni’s carbon neutrality target. The company is focusing on projects it leads and develops over the purchase of carbon credits, which will enable rigorous monitoring, it said.

Based on the latest NDCs submitted, over 75% of parties have explicitly indicated their intention to participate in Article 6, but only around one-tenth of these are on the demand side, according to a UN presentation.

Standing ground - ExxonMobil and Chevron have resisted pressure from the White House to boost oil production despite a severe global energy crisis. Executives, including Exxon CFO Neil Hansen and Chevron CFO Eimear Bonner, said their companies would not alter existing production strategies, particularly in the Permian Basin, the FT reports. The crisis, intensified by conflict involving Iran, has disrupted oil output and refining across the Gulf and wider Middle East, tightening global supply. As a result, oil prices have surged to around $126 per barrel. This spike threatens to drive global inflation and poses political challenges for US President Donald Trump, who had pledged to cut fuel prices significantly. The companies’ stance highlights industry reluctance to rapidly expand supply despite geopolitical and political pressure.

The Virgin Islands has launched a climate change trust fund, marking the first legally constituted trust of its kind designed to bridge the gap between global climate finance and local implementation.