Seaweed subsidies - The Japanese Ministry of the Environment opened applications on Friday for the second round of its JPY 300 mln ($1.85 mln) subsidy program for carbon removal projects, naming blue carbon, biochar, and carbon-absorbing concrete as some potential measures. For blue carbon, the application calls specifically for seaweed projects. The subsidy programme will grant up to JPY 100 mln per project, per year, for a maximum of three fiscal years starting FY2026. The application period closes on Aug. 17, and selection decisions will be made in early October.

Conversions converging - ASX-listed electrification company Janus Electric has grown its US order book to 20 diesel-to-electric truck conversions with a gross contract value of around A$10 mln ($6.9 mln), the company announced in a filing. It said 45 vehicle conversions are now contracted across North America, comprising of 20 US conversions and 25 conversions in Canada. The increase in its US order book follows a deal signed by Janus  with Ability Tri-Modal, the company's first US fleet customer. It is also exploring opportunities with mining, linehaul, and quarry operators in Australia, according to the filing.

Korea-Guatemala REDD+ - Guatemala is assessing the feasibility of a REDD+ project that could enable the country to participate in carbon credit markets, with support from the Korea Forest Service (KFS), the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food (MAGA) announced this week. Last November, the Central American country received a $24 mln payment from the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) from a REDD+ national initiative. In May 2025, Guatemala was one of the countries targeted by the KFS for official development assistance in REDD+.