Verra launched development of several new or revised standards, including a new methodology for avoiding super pollutant emissions from refrigeration systems.

A rift has emerged in Bonn between Article 6.2 buyer and host countries, as they debate a UN proposal suggesting user fees to plug an €8.6-million hole in the 2026-27 biennial budget, among other options.

Policymakers should widen climate finance policy toolkits, improve data frameworks, and strengthen evaluations to unlock transition investment opportunities that remain largely untapped, the OECD said in a 2026 review.

Rapid deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure could add almost 3 billion tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere before emissions savings from AI applications begin to outweigh the sector's own climate footprint, according to a new study.

Carbon ratings agency BeZero Carbon said independent legal reviews have concluded its activities fall within the scope of the EU's new ESG Ratings Regulation, as the company prepares to seek recognition under the regime ahead of its July implementation.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s climate work has helped countries integrate transition risks into economic policy, but its decarbonisation advice and lending framework need sharper tailoring as members weigh carbon pricing, fiscal constraints, and green investment needs, according to a new independent evaluation.

Asia could cut fossil import costs by around $1 trillion a year by electrifying its economy, a report said, with road transport alone offering savings of more than $300 billion annually.

A standard-setting body has approved its methodology for cutting methane emissions from rice cultivation, saying it will expand the possibilities for high-integrity reductions from sustainable agriculture.

EU-Korea dialogue – The EU and South Korea used their 11th summit in Brussels on Wednesday to deepen cooperation on energy security and the clean transition, launching a new High-Level Energy Dialogue to coordinate policies on energy security, economic resilience and decarbonisation. This dialogue will sit under a broader Competitiveness Partnership covering supply chains, advanced technologies, energy and innovation, and aims to reinforce resilience as both sides push ahead with the shift away from fossil fuels. Leaders also highlighted research links under Korea’s association to Horizon Europe and support for deep-tech startups, positioning clean energy innovation at the core of the upgraded strategic partnership.

Regulatory uncertainty is still weighing on the development of clear price signals for Phase 1 of CORSIA, but supply of credits should ramp up over next 12 months, a webinar heard Wednesday.

The world's largest banks, led by US-based institutions, have increased their fossil fuel lending last year – up nearly 8% on 2024 levels – to reach a huge $906 billion, in the latest sign yet that financiers are failing to make decisions compatible with global agreement to rein in temperature rise.

The problem of diverse country risk profiles for gaining CORSIA Letters of Authorisation (LoAs) – crucial for developers – is exacerbated by many host countries’ fears or lack of data around overselling, threatening supply, officials and experts said on the sidelines of SB64 in Bonn.

As carbon markets undergo an integrity reset, treating women’s inclusion as a co-benefit is no longer enough – inclusive finance can help make their contributions measurable, verifiable, and central to the credibility of carbon projects.

Taiwan's first-ever climate lawsuit has been dismissed by the island's supreme administrative court, concluding a five-year legal battle despite growing concerns over the environmental impact of the rapidly expanding AI industry.

Thailand's parliament is expected to pass its Climate Change Act sometime in 2027, but the planned emissions trading system (ETS) is unlikely to impose compliance obligations until close to 2030, according to a legal expert who said many important design features remain undecided.

New alliance - Carbon EX, which operates a voluntary marketplace, has formed a business alliance with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) for services regarding the creation and trading of domestically issued J-Credits. The two companies said they seek to support corporate clients' decarbonisation efforts and expand the supply of J-Credits. They are also working on a carbon project backed by the Tokyo metropolitan government, which bundles energy-saving equipment installations for smaller companies.  

Take a sip - Japanese sake retailer Sakura Sake Shop and carbon management platform Zevero have launched what they claim to be Japan’s first sake to substantiate its low-carbon credentials using actual product data, without resorting to any form of carbon offsetting. The product, which took 18 months from concept to market launch, achieved a 30% reduction in emissions by adopting reusable bottles, using a J-Credit method to grow rice, and eliminating decorative packaging.  

Voluntary cancellations of Kyoto-era carbon credits in Australia rose in May, thanks to a project developer turning in a large volume of certified emission reductions (CER).

Transmission milestone - Australia’s largest transmission project, EnergyConnect, has been fully energised, linking New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia to share renewable power and lower wholesale costs. Transgrid and Elecnor Australia built the 700km NSW section with 1,500 towers and 10,000 km of conductor. Stage 2, the 540 km Buronga–Wagga Wagga line, is now energised after commissioning checks, while Stage 1 became operational last year. Transgrid said the project created 1,500 jobs and invested $300 mln with local businesses.

The New Zealand government has launched a new initiative to scale up agricultural emissions reduction efforts, while at the same time committing cash to boost beef, sheep, and dairy production with a lower environmental impact.

Solar, digital drive- Indonesia and Singapore reaffirmed cooperation in investment, the digital economy, and green energy at the 16th Six Bilateral Economic Working Groups Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta, local media reported. Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto said investment in Batam, Bintan, and Karimun (BBK) reached $5.7 bln in 2025, while Singapore’s overall investment in Indonesia stood at $17.4 bln. The Batam free trade zone is expanding from eight islands to 22, and the Kendal Special Economic Zone will add 1,000 hectares. Projects include Nongsa Digital Park, data centres in Batam and Bintan, and a 200-MW solar plant with an 80-MWh battery system by Sembcorp and PT Sumber Energi Surya Nusantara. The two countries will also launch a Young Farmer Development Program in June 2026, the report added.

Getting expensive - New South Wales' Net Zero Economic Authority (NZEA) published a report Wednesday on the economic impact of climate change on the state, finding by 2024 its income per capita was around 18% lower than it would have been without past, human-induced climate change. This equates to more than A$20,000 ($14,000) per year, per capita, or an economic loss of around A$180 bln in 2024 alone. While the report said current global settings point to a higher warmer trajectory, a lower warming trajectory would result in NSW being some A$800 bln cumulatively better off over the next 50 years. It called for stronger economic adaptation to reduce losses, including building climate-resilient infrastructure, improving planning and development decisions, and strengthening risk management and preparedness.

Policy recommendations accompanying academic research on net zero and climate mitigation frequently drift beyond the evidence presented and often resemble advocacy rather than neutral scientific guidance, according to a new systematic review.

A CO2 removal market that only a few years ago was dominated by climate-tech experimentation and future promises is entering a more mature, execution-focused phase, with investors, buyers, and policymakers increasingly prioritising delivery, financeability, and infrastructure over ambitious announcements, according to a new report.

Carbon finance has become the dominant driver of investment and growth in the clean cooking sector, according to a new industry assessment that suggests companies without crediting programmes are increasingly struggling to attract capital and scale operations.

Certified - ASX-listed biogas project developer Delorean told the market Wednesday its SA1 Salisbury project has successfully been accredited under the National Greenpower Accreditation Program administered by the NSW government. As a result, the SA1 facility is eligible to generate RGGO certificates linked to its renewable gas production. The certification allows industrial gas users to match their gas use by buying and retiring renewable gas certificates and reducing their Scope 1 emissions. The certification covers biomethane, biogas, e-methane, and renewable hydrogen. Delorean's A1 project is under construction and will divert up to 70,000 tonnes per year of waste streams, producing biogas from anaerobic digestion.

A sustainability advisory and major aviation companies on Wednesday launched what they described as a first-of-kind pilot initiative to kickstart commercial-scale low-carbon liquid fuel (LCLF) production in Australia.

Several Latin American countries crossed major milestones in the operationalisation of Article 6 markets last week, signalling a shift from years of institutional preparation towards the first wave of actual carbon transactions under the Paris Agreement.