Carbon Pulse’s free Nature & Biodiversity Pulse newsletter – a twice-weekly summary of our news, plus bite-sized updates from around the world. Subscribe here
TOP STORY
EU defies US pressure on anti-deforestation rules, but proposes leather exemption
The European Commission has confirmed it will not reopen its regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR), defying pressure from the Trump administration, but has proposed excluding leather and retreaded tyres from its scope.
NATURE & BIODIVERSITY MARKET
FEATURE: Colombian nature markets advance in structural foundations for imminent scale-up
Colombia has served as a laboratory for emerging nature markets as a megadiverse country, where, after several years of testing, both compliance and voluntary markets now have the pieces in place to enter a new phase of scalability.
NSW biodiversity credits scheme shows signs of improvement, but fundamental challenges remain, oversight body says
In New South Wales, Australia, the biodiversity credits scheme is showing signs of improvement in some areas, with recent changes taking time to work their way through, however lingering issues remain that are hamstringing its effectiveness, according to the initial findings of a tribunal review.
NATURE-BASED CARBON
INTERVIEW: Colombian players push carbon market reforms to election frontrunners
Industry stakeholders are presenting proposals to revive Colombia’s domestic carbon market to presidential candidates, including the elimination of an offsetting cap, and instituting a carbon credit price floor.
Brazilian developer raises R$75 mln for restoring degraded lands with cocoa production
A project developer in Brazil has raised R$75 million ($15.1 mln) and attracted new partners for the expansion of its agroforestry business, it announced on Tuesday.
European carbon removal developer launches €20 mln equity raise
A Dutch carbon removal developer has launched a €20 million equity raise to fund what it says will be the country’s first ‘made-in-the-Netherlands’ negative emissions energy plant.
Brussels consultation exposes ongoing divide over role for carbon offsets, removals in EU
Environmental NGOs and carbon market advocates remain divided over how far the EU should rely on carbon removals, international credits, and other market-based flexibilities for the next phase of its climate policy, according to submissions to a European Commission consultation on post-2030 national targets.
Verra publishes risk maps for deforestation in Colombia, Cambodia, DRC province
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).
Canada ocean-based CDR initiative launches in Nova Scotia
A new Canadian organisation has launched to support research, governance, and development of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) and other ocean-based carbon removal (CDR) approaches.
Liberia threatened with development funding cuts if it fails to greenlight CORSIA carbon supply -FT
Liberia faces losing vital development bank support unless it approves the sale of credits eligible under the UN’s international aviation offsetting scheme (CORSIA), the Financial Times reported on Friday.
Global cotton association launches carbon credit programme
The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has launched a carbon crediting programme to provide cotton farmers with additional income streams, the group recently announced.
Offset developer reports revenue surge, return to profit on strong Q4 performance
A Canadian offset developer reported a sharp rise in revenue and a return to profitability in 2025, with results heavily weighted toward a strong fourth quarter.
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NATURE ECONOMY JOBS
Hiring in natural capital and biodiversity is still harder than it should be. Nature Economy Jobs is currently speaking with candidates across forestry, carbon markets, BNG, and nature finance, particularly those who combine technical expertise with delivery or commercial experience. Nature Economy Jobs, which has 170+ subscribers, is a focused network across biodiversity, natural capital, and sustainability. If you’re hiring or struggling to find the right profiles, or if you’re exploring roles in the space, feel free to get in touch or subscribe here.
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CORPORATE
Danish philanthropy pledges $5 mln to biodiversity conservation in Indonesia
A Denmark-based philanthropy has announced $5 million in financing for a fund aimed at supporting nature protection in Indonesia.
Clothing firm commits $3 mln to land restoration in South Africa
A Denmark-headquartered fashion company has committed $3 million to a fund seeking to advance land restoration in South Africa.
Forestry asset manager, environmental data company partner to pilot nature measurement platform
A global forestry investment manager and an environmental consultancy have teamed up to pilot a standardised, large-scale nature measurement platform, they announced
Analytics firm releases guide to help investors act on nature-related risks
A financial data provider has developed a framework to help investors better address nature-related risks, flagging opportunities to engage in nature-based carbon markets.
POLICY
South African initiative explores carbon markets to mobilise $27 bln for land restoration, climate projects
A South African initiative is exploring carbon markets as part of efforts to mobilise $27 billion by 2030 towards land restoration and climate resilience projects in the region.
SCIENCE & TECH
Massachusetts CDR potential strong, but insufficient to meet 2050 net zero target -report
Massachusetts will likely need to rely on out-of-state carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and further emissions cuts to meet its 2050 net zero target, despite having strong potential to deploy and lead innovation in several removal pathways, according to a state-commissioned study.
Researchers propose ‘carbon removal budget’ to limit overreliance
A “carbon removal budget” (CRB) could help governments and companies avoid delaying climate action by quantifying how much carbon removal (CDR) capacity is available, according to a new academic paper.
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EVENTS
Ecology Calling returns on May 20 with a 1-day event titled ‘Investing in Nature’ at venue Firesyde, near the border of Surrey and Sussex, about an hour’s transport from London Waterloo. Speakers include representatives from HSBC, Rebalance Earth, RePlanet, Environment Bank, Pensions for Purpose, Crowther Lab, Gresham House, and the University of Oxford. Use the code ‘Pulse15’ to get 15% off tickets.
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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
MARKETS
Carbon credits go digital – ESG‑IN, a sustainability and carbon market technology firm and the Indonesia Carbon Trade Association (IDCTA) have signed a pact in Jakarta to boost development of a verified, data‑driven carbon credit ecosystem, Ecobiz Asia reported. The partnership will digitalise carbon credit certification and trading using artificial intelligence and blockchain‑based technologies. The deal is aimed at boosting transparency, speeding up issuance, and expanding access to green financing. ESG‑IN will also act as an off‑taker for carbon and environmental credits from IDCTA projects, while opening access to domestic and international markets. The collaboration includes the development of new environmental credit methodologies, capacity building for businesses and government institutions, and policy advocacy.
J-REDD+ ahead – The Natural Climate Solutions Alliance (NCSA), a collaboration between the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the World Economic Forum, said in a guide released last week that jurisdictional REDD+ (J-REDD+) programmes are emerging as a key mechanism for generating high-integrity carbon credits while addressing deforestation at scale. The guide said that jurisdictional approaches can complement project-level REDD+ through nested systems that combine policy action with on-the-ground implementation to maximise emissions reductions and co-benefits. It also highlighted growing private sector engagement via upfront finance, forward purchase agreements, and spot buying. The guide aims to boost confidence, transparency, and investment in J-REDD+ as a key tool to tackle deforestation and climate change.
Windfall – Indonesia is looking to monetise surplus REDD+ carbon credits from a World Bank-linked payments programme in East Kalimantan after issuing a new regulation on carbon trading in the sector, Ecobiz Asia reported, citing officials. The government is targeting around 4.2 mln tonnes of verified emission reductions not sold under the World Bank agreement. Authorities also plan to register multiple provinces under international REDD+ standards, including ART’s TREES framework, the official said.
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)
CORPORATE
SBTN Accelerator – The Global Nature Fund (GNF) and WWF Germany are launching an initiative to help companies in Germany set science-based targets for nature, in line with the Science-Based Target Network (SBTN). The SBTN Accelerator, kicking off on June 18, will provide companies with support from GNF and WWF, and access to in-person workshops. Applications are open until May 15.
Soil synergy – The non-profit Arbor Day Foundation and startup Funga said on Monday they are expanding a partnership to scale forest carbon removal (CDR). The collaboration builds on a previous 2025 investment by the Arbor Day Impact Fund and pairs Funga’s soil microbiome restoration technology with the Foundation’s corporate buyer network to help connect supply with demand in the voluntary carbon market (VCM). The groups said their collaboration aims to expand native soil restoration across more forests while helping companies access scientifically rigourous, nature-based CDR projects.
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.
POLICY
Reforestation relief – The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) has welcomed bipartisan, bicameral federal legislation to help private forest owners recover reforestation costs more quickly after natural disasters, according to an announcement last week. The Save America’s Family Forests Act would raise the immediate deduction for reforestation expenses from $10,000 to $30,000, and allow up to $500,000 in upfront deductions for landowners affected by federally declared disasters. Supporters said the changes would accelerate recovery and reduce financial pressure that can force landowners to sell forest land for conversion to other uses.
Salmon slump – The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) said it will close two biodiversity facilities in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia this fall due to poor returns and high operating costs, CBC News reported on Sunday. DFO manager Kent Smedbol said the Mactaquac and Coldbrook sites cost C$2.3 mln ($1.69 mln) annually while salmon return rates average fewer than one in 300, with no evidence of recovery. The facilities have supported Inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon – with fewer than 110 wild fish returning each year – through live gene banks and annual releases of around 1.6 mln fry, 15,000 smolt, and 2,600 adults. Indigenous groups alongside environmentalists criticised the move, warning of increased extinction risk for the population.
Closing – Australia’s Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) has announced it will close on June 30. The programme was established in 2016 by the Australian government to boost collaboration between business and government in the Indo-Pacific region on a wide range of areas, including sustainability and biodiversity. While no further funding will be delivered through the platform, organisations are encouraged to engage with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian government through other initiatives, BPP said.
Fencing programme – Kenya has launched an initiative to safeguard its forests through a fencing programme aimed at reducing encroachment and human-wildlife conflict, the Star reported. Led by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), the project will initially focus on the Kapkoi area within Sabor Forest Station in Elgeyo Marakwet County. This area has recently faced increasing pressure due to human activities and land use changes. The initiative aims to improve water catchment protection, carbon sequestration, and soil health.
Bolivian forests – The UK government announced an investment of $7 mln to support the conservation of nearly 4 mln ha of Bolivian forests, El Dia reported. The main intervention will occur in Santa Cruz, Pando, and Tarija regions. This is the largest project in the world under the Darwin Initiative, a British programme that concedes grants for biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction activities in eligible low and middle-income countries.
Biodiversity finance workshop – The Brazilian government held its 1st Federal Government Workshop on Biodiversity Credit at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA), in partnership with UNDP Brazil and Instituto Igarape. The event aimed to explore how the instrument could help mobilise additional capital for biodiversity while generating economic value for market participants.
Forest focus – Armenia has signed an agreement with the FAO to establish a national forest monitoring and assessment system, it was announced on Tuesday. Backed by Swiss funding, the initiative will introduce regular national forest inventories combining field data and remote sensing to track forest cover, health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. The move addresses a decades-long gap, as the country has not conducted a full forest inventory since the 1980s, limiting evidence-based policymaking. The project forms part of the existing Swiss-backed Forest Restoration and Climate Change in Armenia (FORACCA) programme on reforestation and climate-smart management.
Hurry up – Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung called for fast issuance of a decree on forest carbon services to remove legal bottlenecks and unlock the country’s carbon market, state media reported this week. The regulation would establish a framework for carbon absorption and storage services, decentralise credit issuance to local authorities, and enable trading of emission reductions. Authorities aim to begin issuing credits for 2021-22 by second quarter of this year, with more volumes to follow, alongside negotiations for an emissions reduction deal under the LEAF Coalition. A draft of the decree was published last year.
Amazon REDD+ – Representatives of the Amazonian states in Brazil; the Legal Amazon Consortium; and the judiciary, including the Federal Public Defender’s Office (DPU), met to discuss ways to strengthen dialogue on the implementation of REDD+ policies across the region. As a next step, participants emphasised the importance of establishing permanent forums for technical exchange and joint training between state authorities and the judiciary. Such measures would foster a shared understanding of the issue and support the advancement of environmental public policies in the Amazon, according to a statement released by the state of Para on Sunday. States such as Para and Tocantins are being questioned in different spaces about their Free, Prior, and Informed Consultation (FPIC) process.
Getting there – Malaysia is in the final stages of drafting two climate bills – the National Climate Change Bill and the National Climate Change Authority Bill – with plans to table them in Parliament in July, Edge Malaysia reported, citing Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability minister. The legislation will establish a national MRV system to support carbon pricing and enable a phased rollout of carbon pricing instruments, including potential carbon taxes.
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.
Brazil carbon standard – The Brazilian carbon credit certifier backed by Brazil’s development bank BNDES has opened a public consultation on the development of its technical standard and certification methodology. The process has technical support from Texas-based Aecom and will remain open until May 23 on Ecora’s website. The certifier was presented during COP30 in Belem, with support from Bradesco and the Ecogreen Fund.
FPIC in focus – Brazil’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) convened the 10th meeting of the CONAREDD+ safeguards technical working group on April 28-29, bringing together government, civil society, academia, states, traditional communities, and the International Labour Organization to examine how Free, Prior, and Informed Consultation (FPIC) is applied in REDD+ initiatives under ILO Convention 169. Discussions focused on differing interpretations and implementation challenges across contexts. As a next step, the CONAREDD+ Executive Secretariat will compile the inputs and case studies presented, which may inform the development of a resolution or other guidance on FPIC application in REDD+ programmes and projects nationwide.
SCIENCE & TECH
Aquaculture pollution risk – Norwegian fish farms are discharging nutrient pollution into fjords and coastal waters at levels comparable to the untreated sewage of tens of millions of people each year, according to a report by the Sunstone Institute. In 2025, the country’s aquaculture sector released volumes equivalent to the raw sewage generated by 17.2 mln people for nitrogen, 20 mln for phosphorus, and 30 mln for organic carbon, heightening concerns over harmful algal blooms, The Guardian reported.
Delta dynamics – The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and researchers from California State University, East Bay and the University of California, Berkeley are testing a culturally-informed burn on Twitchell Island to assess its potential to enhance long-term carbon sequestration in Delta wetlands, it was announced last week. The pilot, which has been ongoing since February, combines traditional ecological knowledge with modern science, with experts examining whether future burns can stimulate plant growth despite short-term CO2 emissions. The work may also underpin future carbon credit generation in the voluntary carbon market, the DWR noted.
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