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TOP STORY
INTERVIEW: Guinness launches nature and climate fund
Guinness Global Investors has launched a fund focused on food, water, climate, waste, and land that is looking to rapidly build on its seed capital.
NATURE & BIODIVERSITY MARKET
Biodiversity credit prices rise in Q4 2025 in highly concentrated market -report
Cumulative transaction value in the voluntary biodiversity market (VBM) surpassed $10 million in Q4 2025, according to a recent report, with authors cautioning that it remains too early to draw firm conclusions and tendencies from the available data.
Venture capital firm closes $25.9 mln debut fund dedicated to biodiversity
A US-based firm that advertises itself as “the first venture capital firm dedicated to biodiversity” announced the close of its first fund on Tuesday, raising $25.9 million in commitments.
Chile raises €1.5 bln with biodiversity-linked sovereign bond tied to 30×30 biodiversity goals
Chile has launched its 2026 sovereign financing programme with the issuance of the world’s first biodiversity-linked sovereign bond, the Ministry of Environment said Thursday.
Indonesia eyes market-based financing for national biodiversity strategy
Indonesia aims to develop market-based mechanisms to finance the implementation of its biodiversity strategy, according to a national plan published on Sunday.
Voluntary nature market pilot launches in Finland
Two Finnish organisations have launched a restoration pilot project aimed at supporting the establishment of a voluntary nature market in the country.
Major nature markets fall short of golden credibility rules -research
Researchers this week proposed five ‘golden rules’ to assess the scientific credibility of nature markets, creating a scorecard against which eight of the world’s most well-known nature markets fail.
Biodiversity conservation in mining hits $3.2 bln
The market for biodiversity conservation in the mining sector reached $3.2 billion last year, driven by increasingly strict regulations and the broader adoption of sustainable practices, according to a report released on Monday.
UAE bank issues $1 bln blue-green bond
Dubai’s government-owned bank on Thursday announced it has raised $1 billion from a dual-tranche blue and green bond transaction.
Taiwanese framework approves six biodiversity-focused carbon credit methodologies
A Tainan-based non-profit approved and launched the first carbon crediting methodologies under its nature-focused quality framework this week, targeting wetlands and seagrasses, agriculture, and soils.
Nature loss could cost four countries up to 18% of stock market value in 15 years -report
Nature loss could erode trillions of dollars in economic value across the economies of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Singapore within 15 years, a report by UK-based PwC said on Monday.
Study flags research gaps in integration of biodiversity into carbon markets
Further research is needed to effectively incorporate biodiversity into the voluntary carbon market (VCM), as significant gaps remain in long-term monitoring and implications for marine ecosystems, according to a new paper.
AI, tropical forests fund set to impact biodiversity conservation in the next decade, specialists say
Artificial intelligence solutions and the Brazil-led tropical forests fund are among the issues that could represent a significant impact on biodiversity conservation, a panel of 26 specialists said.
UK’s National Trust to use £10 mln donation for nature restoration
Heritage and conservation charity the National Trust has received the largest philanthropic gift in its 131-year history, providing a boost to its nature restoration plans.
NATURE-BASED CARBON
VCM Report: CDM closure causes rush to sell legacy carbon credits
Voluntary prices rallied at the start of the year, and sources reported healthy liquidity in Clean Development Mechanism credits as traders and project owners scramble to sell inventory ahead of the proposed closure of the UN registry.
LATAM Roundup: 2026 starts with carbon regulation pushes, eyes on US-Venezuela issue
The new year began by providing a glance at what might be expected in Latin America in 2026: the advancement of carbon regulations in the region amid the backdrop of political tensions.
CDR credits enjoy strong December, even as annual investment falls in 2025
Offtake volumes for carbon removal (CDR) credits surged in December, driven largely by major biochar and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) deals, analysts reported on Monday, with issuances also up month-on-month and retirements on the rise.
PNG carbon market rules seek to cut project risk with developer protections, secondary ownership rights
Papua New Guinea has introduced legal protections for project developers under newly gazetted carbon market regulations, including formal recognition of “secondary ownership” rights, a move aimed at reducing project risk in the forest-rich country.
Carbon project developer reports heavy 2024 revenue slump in latest UK accounts
A large carbon project developer and consultancy has reported a 43% drop in revenue for the year 2024 in its latest UK accounts as post-tax losses rose 11-fold.
NbS can create “triple wins” in SIDS, but projects must be locally specific -research
About one-fifth of 53 nature-based projects assessed in a recent study created “triple wins” for climate, biodiversity, and people in Small Island Developing States, although researchers warned against a one-size-fits-all approach.
Carbon registry finalises new mangrove crediting method
A registry has certified a new protocol for CO2 removal through mangrove restoration, it announced Tuesday.
Speculators shed NZU holdings, EPA data shows
Speculator holdings of New Zealand allowances fell significantly in the December quarter, as the overall stockpile remained flat, according to data released by the country’s EPA Friday.
CORPORATE
UK tech firm raises $4 mln for biodiversity net gain software
A UK-based firm has raised $4 million in investment to develop its biodiversity net gain (BNG) software, as it explores other nature recovery frameworks, it said on Tuesday.
Texas CDR firm reaches nearly 2 mln credits delivered
A Texas-based carbon removal (CDR) firm said Friday it has delivered nearly 2 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent through its regenerative ranching programme, signalling a tipping point for commercial scaling in the US.
UK data company launches nature intelligence platform
A UK-based nature data company has launched a platform to support organisations in identifying and managing their nature-related risks and dependencies.
CDR funding platform pre-purchases 12.5k tonnes of durable carbon removal for US multinational
More than 12,500 tonnes of durable carbon removal (CDR) have been pre-purchased by a funding platform covering six removal approaches, according to an announcement on Friday.
Canadian climate tech funder appoints first chief investment officer
A British Columbia-based climate technology funder appointed its first chief investment officer on Thursday.
MDBs should factor gender into nature investments, research group says
A US-based non-profit advocated for multilateral development banks to take a dual, gender-nature approach to their investment decisions in an action brief published this week.
POLICY
Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell for the second year in a row in 2025, govt says
The area under deforestation alerts in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest decreased by 9% in 2025 compared with 2024, registering the second consecutive fall, according to new government data.
EU’s opening for international carbon credits could complement COP30 tropical forests fund -report
The EU has an opportunity to raise the standard of international forestry carbon credits – and strengthen the impact of the new Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) – as it begins to allow international credits into its domestic climate targets from 2036, according to a new report.
Australia commits A$13 mln to expand Indigenous Protected Areas under 30X30 push
The Australian federal government is planning to invest up to A$13 million ($8.5 mln) to establish eight new Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs), as it seeks to accelerate progress towards its target of protecting 30% of land by 2030, the environment ministry said Monday.
UK is mostly off track on environmental targets, watchdog says
The UK government remains largely off track from meeting its nature and climate commitments by 2030, with substantial challenges remaining, the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) watchdog said on Tuesday.
German govt should repurpose €35 bln of environmentally harmful subsides, think tank says
A Berlin-based think tank has set out a series of subsidy reform recommendations for the German government, aimed at reducing financial incentives to damage the climate and nature.
UK watchdog calls for swift reform of country’s environmental regulators
Data gaps, insufficient impact evaluation, and the absence of a clear strategy are among the challenges hindering the work of the UK’s top environmental regulators, according to the country’s independent public spending watchdog.
SCIENCE & TECH
INTERVIEW: Effects of thinning Antarctic ice could enhance ocean CO2 uptake, study finds
As ice thins in Antarctica due to climate change, more iron-rich sediments could be transported through glaciers to the sea, bolstering the growth of phytoplankton that absorbs carbon, according to a recent study by Northumbria University. Carbon Pulse interviewed one of its authors.
Forest management delivers far higher carbon returns per dollar in China than afforestation -study
Improved management of existing forests has delivered significantly higher carbon gains per dollar invested than afforestation in China over the past two decades, according to new research quantifying the drivers of changes in the country’s land carbon sink.
COMMENT
2026 Carbon Credit Forecast Calls for Greater Diversification as VCM Scales
The voluntary carbon market is heading into 2026 as a mature, pragmatic instrument for delivering credible net zero strategies at scale.
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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
MARKETS
Delivered – Australia’s AgriProve has delivered 30,145 Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) to the Peart family for their Jones and Blewett soil carbon projects in Queensland, marking what the developer claimed to be one of the largest soil carbon issuances achieved by a single farming operation under the ACCU scheme. The credits were issued after independent verification of increases in soil organic carbon across the family’s 4,800 ha grazing operation, achieved through long-term rotational grazing and pasture improvement. Project developer Corporate Carbon, together with its soil carbon spin-off Agriprove Solutions, have to deliver some 36.9 mln ACCUs, according to Clean Energy Regulator data.
Step forward – ART TREES accepted a set of Para’s jurisdictional REDD+ (J-REDD+) programme documents last Thursday, the Brazilian state announced on Saturday. The certifier confirmed that Para’s TREES Registration Document and 2023 TREES Monitoring Report (TMR) are complete and meet the requirements for this phase. As a result, the state can proceed towards its first issuance of 38 mln carbon credits. The state government said it expects issuance to reach 260 mln carbon credits by 2027.
Doubling Bolivian biochar – Bolivia-based Exomad Green has completed a major expansion of its Riberalta biochar facility, strengthening its role as one of the world’s largest producers of CO2 removal (CDR) credits, it announced this week. The site has increased from three to six pyrolysis lines, lifting annual CO2 capture from 60,000 to 120,000 tonnes and biochar output from 25,000 to 50,000 tonnes.
Floody fantastic – An English 2.4-ha field of marshy grassland, which could generate almost four biodiversity net gain units (BNG) despite regular flooding, is on the market for £250,000. Up to two-thirds of the land floods seasonally, with much of it underwater during the winter, reported Luxury Property News. The area, on the eastern banks of the River Meon in Fareham, Hampshire, is near the Solent strait. It could generate BNG units by implementing a wetland nitrate mitigation scheme.
CORPORATE
AI effect – Consultancy S&P Global said in a report released on Thursday that the growth of the artificial intelligence and defence sectors will boost global copper demand 50% by 2040. However, supplies are expected to fall short by more than 10 mln metric tons annually. The report does not factor in potential supply from deep-sea mining, Reuters reported.
Wind farm wildlife – An Oslo-based company has raised €8 mln in Series A to develop its wildlife monitoring software for wind farm developers, it announced late last week. Spoor uses AI and real-time bird and bat detection software for its product, which wind farmers can use to automate turbine shutdown based on wildlife presence. SET Ventures led the funding round, while Superorganism, EnBW New Ventures, and Orsted Ventures also participated. Spoor’s existing backers – Futurum Ventures and Norway’s state-owned climate fund Nysno – also stepped up again.
Limestone-based weathering – Dublin-based agritech startup Silicate Carbon expects to raise up to €15 mln in its next funding round, set for Q2 2026, to help develop its concept of carbon capture and using limestone to balance acidity in farming. Founder Maurice Bryson is focused on optimising the process and doing commercial pilots in the agricultural space, which will add limestone to soil, boosting soil productivity and removing CO2. (Business Post)
Climate tech time – Applications are now open for the sixth cohort of the climate tech accelerator Venture For ClimateTech, which is supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Pre-seed and seed-stage founders are invited to apply before the deadline of Feb. 20, 2026. Cohort six will see 10 companies selected, each receiving up to $50,000 in funding, plus coaching, investor and corporate introductions, and access to a strong peer community. Direct air capture developer Holocene was a participant in Cohort two and has since signed a $10 mln deal with Google to deliver 100,000 carbon removals, and was later bought by Occidental. (Business Insider)
Uruguay livestock – The Uruguayan branch of Swiss firm Vetos and local company Climit launched ANAVRIN, a livestock feed additive that can cut methane emissions from ruminants between 13-20%, opening the door to future carbon credit issuance, Sarandi 690 reported late last week. The product was recently registered by the Livestock Ministry and is being rolled out in feedlots and dairy systems.
Buzz vs lithium – Beekeepers in Brazil are concerned about the impacts of lithium mining and processing on bees. In the Jequitinhonha Valley, in the state of Minas Gerais, they have reported a decline in bee populations in recent years, coinciding with the operations of companies such as Sigma Lithium, Mongabay reported. While the effects of climate change and deforestation on bees are well documented, there is still a knowledge gap regarding how mining activities affect pollinators, researchers said.
POLICY
Expansion – In India, the Tamil Nadu government has added approximately 135 sq. km to the state’s protected forest areas between 2021-25, the National Herald reported. The newly protected sites are located across 10 districts: Dindigul, Dharmapuri, Madurai, Kallakurichi, Theni, Sivaganga, Namakkal, the Nilgiris, Salem, and Tenkasi. With this addition, the total area of safeguarded forest in the state now amounts to 26,450 sq. km.
Shifting sands – The US Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on whether lawsuits seeking to hold oil companies financially responsible for Louisiana’s rapidly eroding coastline can be moved from state to federal court, E&E News reported on Monday. The case, Chevron v. Plaquemines Parish, could determine the fate of dozens of similar suits that aim to force energy companies to pay billions of dollars for coastal restoration.
Project Cayman – The UK’s Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) announced a habitat monitoring project in the Cayman Islands, aiming to map terrestrial ecosystems using Earth Observation tools until 2028. The JNCC’s project is backed with over £335,000 funding from the UK government’s Darwin Plus Biodiversity Challenge Funds, as well as in-kind payments from the Department of Environment and Natural England. It intends to use these funds to produce habitat baseline maps, while also developing and piloting a framework to assess the islands’ most important vegetation. The islands support numerous endemic species, including its national flower – the Banana Orchid.
Testing the deep sea – Japan has officially started its explorations in the deep seabed to test the possibility of mining operations, as announced last year. The trial will run over Jan. 11-Feb. 14 in waters around Minamitori Island, about 1,900km southeast of Tokyo. If successful, the country said it plans a larger trial in 2027.
Habitat funds – An initiative aiming to help Irish landowners create wildlife habitats is accepting applications again, Limerick Live reported on Monday. Successful applicants to the Hare’s Corner Initiative will receive funding and practical support to manage land for biodiversity. Named after a traditional name for awkward field corners left to grow naturally, the 2025 iteration of the Hare’s Corner Initiative funded 1,600 habitats across Ireland, including native tree and hedgerow planting.
Fiji finance – The government of Fiji is working with the UNDP to update two key policy papers, it said on Monday. Since the country’s Policy and Institutional Review and Biodiversity Expenditure Review were developed in 2017, the environmental landscape has shifted, meaning both now need updating to better align with Fiji’s updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and the goals of the KMGBF. The revised versions of these reports will enable the Pacific country to develop a biodiversity finance plan, its government said.
Team work – Scotland and the Ile-de-France Region signed a MoU late last week committing to cooperate in tackling biodiversity loss and the climate crisis, among other things. The MoU sets an intention for the two signatories to work together to protect endangered species, scale up renewable energy in Ile-de-France, and exchange knowledge to further green hydrogen production. The collaboration on biodiversity loss follows the Ile-de-France Region’s decision to sign the Edinburgh Declaration of 2022 – a commitment from sub-national governments to advance the Convention on Biological Diversity in the 2020s.
SCIENCE & TECH
Rewilded – An English rewilding project has led to a jump in species numbers, reported the BBC. A 20-year ecological review at the Knepp estate in West Sussex showed an increasing number of birds on IUCN’s Red List, alongside a growing variety of butterfly species. Animals including longhorn cattle, deer, and Exmoor ponies have been introduced so that their activities can help to shape new habitats. Beavers have turned a small stream into wetlands, while white storks have been brought back to the landscape.
Traditional knowledge – A study released this week has shown that only 59% of parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity included the contributions of traditional knowledge to biodiversity governance in their most recent national reports. Authored by researchers from various countries and published in the journal Conservation Biology, the study stressed how the recognition and engagement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and other traditional knowledge holders in formal biodiversity governance remain limited. This is despite their significant contribution to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity through their knowledge, innovations, practices, and land stewardship, the study said.
Amazon under threat – Frequent death threats linked to illegal mining forced the evacuation of the Panguana conservation area in the Peruvian Amazon in December, Mongabay reported. It remains unclear when staff will be able to return to the site, which is currently under the temporary protection of a small team. Although the measures aim to slow the advance of illegal mining, conservation and research activities in the area have also been suspended.
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