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TOP STORY

EXCLUSIVE: Coalition launches new common language, framework for managing permanence in carbon markets

Researchers, environmental organisations, and carbon market experts are urging the industry to look beyond traditional buffer pools and adopt a wider range of tools to ensure the long-term durability of nature-based carbon credits – using a new “unified framework”.

INTERNATIONAL

INTERVIEW: Scientist optimistic restoration will outpace deforestation in next 30 years

Global data shows early signs that ecosystem restoration rates could exceed those of deforestation, according to the founding chair of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, who is optimistic this milestone could be reached within 30 years.

FEATURE: “A logical destination” – govt-led forestry carbon projects remove market friction, command premiums

Forestry-based carbon projects that are government-led and factored into national accounting systems can achieve landscape-scale change, with credit prices trading at a premium, say experts.

BRIEFING: Plans for COP30 presidency’s twin roadmaps spark divergent reactions

The Brazilian COP30 presidency’s deforestation roadmap, presented in an early form on Monday, has been well received by a coalition of the willing, while the endeavour to draft a fossil fuel transition plan has sparked some backlash, Carbon Pulse heard in Bonn.

Voluntary biodiversity credits sells for less than $100k in May -report

May saw $85,000 in voluntary biodiversity credit sales, down from $280,000 in April but with many more named buyers in transactions led by New Zealand companies, said a report on Tuesday.

US platform seeks 100k tonnes from Global South

A US climate platform is seeking more than 100,000 carbon removals (CDR) and super pollutant mitigation credits, with a particular focus on projects in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and island nations, it announced.

Plan Vivo releases principles on stacking biodiversity, carbon credits

UK-based standard setter Plan Vivo has released a set of principles on the ‘stacking’ of biodiversity and carbon credits, where separate unit types are issued from the same area.

Multilateral forest facility’s investment arm finds host in Luxembourg

The investment arm of the Brazilian COP30 presidency’s flagship Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) will be hosted in Luxembourg, the TFFF’s newest contributor, it was revealed Friday.

Carbon standard consults on new model-based framework for enhanced weathering carbon removal

A carbon removal registry and standards developer has launched a public consultation on a new framework designed to quantify CO2 removal from enhanced weathering projects using a combination of field measurements and predictive models.

Natural forest expansion sequesters more carbon than secondary forests in tropics -study

Natural forest expansion across the moist tropics has sequestered more above-ground carbon than secondary forests, but the sink remains far smaller than emissions from tropical forest loss, according to a new study.

UN Third World Ocean Assessment sees deepening ocean crisis

A UN-led report released on Monday provided an updated assessment of the state of the world’s oceans and the factors driving changes across marine ecosystems.

Biodiversity loss could trigger sovereign downgrades, add $162 bln to debt costs -study

Biodiversity loss could trigger sovereign downgrades worldwide, leading to a total increase in annual debt interest payments of $162 billion, according to a new paper.

Forests and climate set to suffer under countries’ bioenergy reliance, warns coalition

Countries are relying too heavily on bioenergy to reduce carbon emissions in their national Paris Agreement pledges, which spells bad news for forests and climate as huge swathes of land are eaten up for growing biomass, according to environmental and social justice groups.

ASIA PACIFIC

Indonesian govt, UNDP to launch biodiversity credit pilot in Sumatra

The Indonesian government and the UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) Biofin initiative are seeking an organisation to pilot biodiversity credits on the island of Sumatra.

Australian govt urged to clarify biodiversity crediting rules for projects on private land

Australian landowners can generate biodiversity credits from conservation or restoration activities on their private plots under the country’s Nature Repair Market (NRM), but the government should decide what happens to units when land is sold, according to academics.

Timor‑Leste flags carbon farming law and Article 6 push in updated NDC

Timor‑Leste submitted its updated climate pledge (NDC 3.0) for 2026-35 to the UNFCCC on Tuesday, flagging a new Carbon Farming Decree‑Law and noting calls from stakeholders to make use of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Fiji exits World Bank carbon programme after failing to meet requirements

Fiji’s Ministry of Finance has ended the country’s participation in the World Bank‑backed Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Carbon Fund Emission Reductions Program (ERP), after failing to meet key requirements, a World Bank report said.

Japanese corporate seeks partners to develop direct ocean carbon capture tech

A Japanese corporate giant is seeking more partners to pioneer direct ocean capture (DOC), after announcing it was developing a pilot plant following two years of research by an institute in Finland.

Australia backs Indigenous group to acquire NSW stations to restore wetland

The Australian Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is supporting the Indigenous Nari Nari Tribal Council in acquiring Juanbung and Boyong Stations in south‑west New South Wales, with funding to restore the Great Cumbung wetland.

Indonesian palm oil firm prepares to launch biochar pilot

An Indonesian palm oil company plans to present a biochar pilot this week that aims to convert palm biomass residues into carbon removals.

India needs to authorise agricultural projects under Article 6.2 to unlock carbon potential -study

India needs to add agriculture to its list of Article 6.2‑eligible activities, to tap into the country’s carbon credit potential and enter international compliance markets, a study found.

Australia’s NSW commits A$221 mln to nature conservation strategy

The New South Wales state government is investing A$221 million ($157 mln) into what it describes as a new, holistic approach to threatened species conservation, it announced Friday.

Major insurers back LNG expansion in marine biodiversity hotspot

Most of the world’s biggest insurers have refused to rule out support for the expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure in the Coral Triangle, despite evidence of the threat it poses to marine biodiversity, according to a new report.

AMERICAS

BRIEFING: Brazilian state launches implementation phase for Pantanal biodiversity credits pilot

A state-led biodiversity credits project in the Pantanal has moved into its implementation phase, as Brazil explores new financing models for protected areas.

Colombian draft decree conditions carbon market continuation on emerging systems

Colombia has published a draft carbon markets decree addressing technical and safeguarding concerns with tools that don’t yet exist, also imposing new responsibilities on domestic and international entities, but leaving key implementation questions open.

US bank signs second carbon removal deal with bio-oil developer

A large US bank has signed its second carbon removal offtake deal with a developer of bio-oil projects, bringing its total commitment with the company to 90,000 tonnes.

Newly-launched forest conservation finance vehicle seeks $50 mln for community-led projects

A forest finance facility launched Friday is targeting an initial $50 million raise to provide early-stage and continuity capital for Indigenous and traditional community-led forest conservation projects.

Launch of carbon removal offtake call from reforestation in Colombia

Some 1 million carbon removal units are available from 2030 from a reforestation project in Colombia, according to a call for offtake launched by a project developer and climate consultancy.

Wildfires push Canada’s forests towards becoming a net carbon source, study finds

Canada’s forests are being pushed towards becoming a net carbon source as wildfire activity intensifies, according to a recent study.

Colombia regulates offsetting mechanism of national plastics tax

The Colombian Ministry of Finance and Public Credit published a decree regulating the offsetting mechanism for the national tax on single-use plastics.

Canadian timber company reports emissions cuts, $13.3 mln in credit revenues

A Canadian-headquartered forestry company this week reported progress towards its climate targets, including lower emissions and new revenues from carbon market activities, in its latest sustainability report.

Large-scale carbon removal could save trillions in climate damages, but at cost of forgone health benefits -study

Large-scale deployment of CO2 removal technologies could substantially reduce the cost of reaching net zero emissions in the US and generate trillions of dollars in revenues for project developers, but may also lead to worse air quality outcomes than pathways that rely more heavily on direct emissions cuts, according to a new study.

EMEA

EU set to integrate carbon removals into national climate goals for the first time

Member states will for the first time be able to use EU-certified permanent carbon removal credits to meet their national climate targets for agriculture, forestry, and other non-ETS sectors under proposals due to be presented later this year, a senior official has said.

IUCN launches EU-funded nature credit initiative

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has launched a project to assess the potential and challenges of nature credits in three EU member states.

EU needs to find “middle ground” for CORSIA credit eligibility, says rating agency

EU-approved CORSIA Phase 1 supply, based on provisional eligibility criteria, could reach as many as 160 million credits across the three-year period, according to a rating agency, but the company urged that Brussels takes a more moderate stance as this total is unlikely to be anywhere near as high in reality.

Portugal registers first project under national VCM

An afforestation initiative has become the first-ever project to register on Portugal’s voluntary carbon market (VCM) platform, launched last October.

Forest group in Zambia raises about $113,000 from carbon trading

Zambia has signed a new agreement to advance jurisdictional climate action, formally integrating a major forest carbon project into its provincial framework.

UK firm unveils tool to help companies prioritise biodiversity action

A UK-based nature data company on Tuesday unveiled a tool aimed at helping organisations prioritise action on biodiversity across different sites, regions, and commodities.

UN review flags major gaps in Malawi’s carbon market reporting

A United Nations technical review has identified significant weaknesses in Malawi’s reporting and governance arrangements for participation in international carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, raising concerns about transparency, accounting practices, and environmental integrity.

UK waste wood BECCS project files planning application

A UK energy-from-waste wood company has submitted a planning application to add carbon capture technology to an existing bioenergy plant, it announced last week.

Financial organisations join forces to scale carbon, nature investments

Two UK-based investment advisory and management firms have merged to accelerate investment in large-scale nature restoration projects across the Global South, they said on Tuesday.

UK will need to subsidise carbon removal prices to bring them down to ETS levels -research

The UK government will need to subsidise a fixed price for carbon removal credits when it integrates them into the country’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), at a cost of around £147 million per year, and more in the future, according to new research.

UK consultancy acquires digital nature marketplace

A UK-based consultancy has acquired an online marketplace focused on enabling companies to invest in environmental enhancement and nature recovery.

South African rangeland carbon project seeks Verra-approved validator

A South African rangeland restoration programme is seeking a Verra-approved validation and verification body (VVB) to assess an initial project area covering more than 173,000 hectares, it announced last week.

Study suggests German peatland solar parks boost bird life

Installing solar panels at rewetted peatlands can be beneficial for birds, although further research is needed, a study published this week has suggested.

England’s most nature-deprived areas hardest hit by biodiversity net gain changes, loopholes -report

Almost 7.5 million people in England have no meaningful access to green space, according to a report released this week suggesting these same nature-deprived communities have the most to lose from proposed changes to, and current loopholes within, the UK’s biodiversity net gain (BNG) policy.

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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

INTERNATIONAL

Making waves – Canada will host the 12th Our Ocean Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 2027, the federal government announced on Monday. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson said hosting the global conference supports Canada’s efforts to protect 30% of its marine environment by 2030, strengthen fisheries, and implement commitments under its new national nature strategy. Launched in 2014, the Our Ocean Conference has generated more than 2,900 voluntary commitments worldwide, valued at around C$228 bln ($163.4 bln), and is viewed as a key forum for advancing global ocean targets.

Mangrove champs – Global campaign Mangrove Breakthrough announced a group of five ‘champions’ to accelerate the initiative’s goal of mobilising $4 bln to support 15 mln ha of mangroves by 2030. These included government-affiliated representatives from Jamaica and Ecuador, alongside executives from Conservation International, the World Resources Institute, and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Joining forces – Chinese and Kenyan scientists have renewed their partnership to promote biodiversity protection at a conference in Nairobi, Xinhua news agency reported. The event, organised by the National Museums of Kenya and the Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, stressed the need for collaborative research to better safeguard African ecosystems. Both sides highlighted the importance of enhancing food and water security. The collaboration aims to address challenges like climate change and habitat loss, focusing on sustainable resource use and community awareness.

ASIA PACIFIC

Mining audits – India is attempting to crack down on illegal mining, the country’s environment minister, Bhupender Yadav, announced late last week. The government will now require mining industry actors to secure third-party audits to check their compliance with environmental standards, the minister told Ani. Under the move, third-party auditors are set to monitor existing industry operators, ensuring operations are not violating standards or extracting illegally.

At sea – The Ocean States Initiative was announced by Japan-based non-profit Nippon Foundation last week. It aims to support island nations address marine challenges while advancing sustainable development. The governments of Japan and Palau, alongside UNESCO, supported the initiative. It presented an action plan built around three pillars: human resource development, a Tokyo-based expert hub, and a sustainable ocean planning platform.

Palm oil ideas – Biodiversity conservation should be embedded within palm oil plantations, a Malaysian foundation has suggested. The Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) would like to see more wildlife coexistence within production landscapes, Free Malaysia Today reported on Monday. MPOGCF runs 29 projects aimed at reducing the environmental damage of palm oil plantations. Agricultural land expansion to meet the world’s demand for the sought-after crop can cause deforestation, destroying habitats and disrupting wildlife corridors.

Ground truths – Open-data platform Restor and Malaysia-based forest restoration company Planters International Berhad have entered a multi-year partnership to develop a reporting framework aimed at standardising ecological impact monitoring across restoration projects, it was announced Monday. Under the collaboration, Planters will co-develop and pilot Restor’s new Ecological Ground Data Upload feature, which will allow projects to upload field-based monitoring data to improve transparency and reporting credibility. Restor and Planters also plan to publish a white paper examining opportunities to simplify and standardise ecological impact reporting globally.

UNESCO recognition – Nino Konis Santana National Park has been designated as Timor-Leste’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. At the eastern tip of the country, the park includes tropical forests, wetlands, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows within the Coral Triangle, one of the world’s most biodiverse marine regions. The designation recognises both the area’s environmental importance and the role of local communities in protecting natural resources and preserving cultural traditions.

Above the clouds – Giant trees in the mountains of Taiwan could be vital, overlooked carbon sinks, but they face the risk of extinction within the next two centuries, Taipei Times reported, citing the latest findings. A group of arborists, spatial scientists, geologists, and mountaineers has discovered the tallest tree on the island, which is also the tallest recorded in East Asia. Old-growth forests of giant trees are mostly found in Taiwan’s deepest and most forbidding mountain ranges, which are difficult to survey, according to the team, which has also found alarming signs regarding the survival of Taiwan’s ancient trees.

Goals – Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing has called for greater focus on renewable energy, forest conservation, climate-resilient agriculture, improved cookstoves, solar-powered rural electrification, and electric vehicles as part of the country’s efforts to reduce emissions and implement its Paris Agreement commitments, according to state media. He said Myanmar plans to plant more than 21 mln trees across roughly 12,000 ha in 2026 and continue annual mangrove restoration programmes through 2030. The president said over 269.8 mln trees had been planted between 2016-25, while more than 64,000 ha of plantations were established during 2021-25. He also said protected forests and natural areas account for about 50% of the country’s land area.

Korean offsets – South Korea has approved 20 new external reduction projects expected to cut 73,433 tonnes of CO2e annually, while certifying 329,306 credits from 13 existing projects for potential use in the country’s ETS, the country’s climate ministry said last week. The newly approved projects include heat pumps for agricultural greenhouses, solar power facilities in buildings and public facilities, fuel conversion, vegetation restoration, sulphur hexafluoride recovery, high-efficiency compressor replacement, and biomass fuel use.

Funding received – Malaysia Forest Fund (MFF), energy and infrastructure firm Yinson Holdings, and the Pahang State Forestry Department have launched a forest restoration project at the Chini Lake Biosphere Reserve in central Malaysia. Yinson said it will contribute RM 193,515 ($45,000) to support the first phase of a forest planting programme covering 10 ha. The initiative forms part of a wider 20-ha restoration effort. The project is being implemented under Malaysia’s Forest Conservation Certificate (FCC) framework, which seeks to channel private-sector funding into forest protection and restoration.

Forest potential – Tokyo-based Archeda, which develops MRV solutions for nature-based carbon projects, has signed an MoU with Aboitiz Group’s corporate foundation to promote high-quality forest-derived carbon credit projects in the Philippines, they announced Tuesday. Archeda will support the foundation’s forestry initiatives by leveraging satellite data and AI. Their initial focus will be to explore a forest carbon project in the Southeast Asian country, prioritising the Japan-led Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) as the crediting framework.

EMEA

Toll of war – Ukraine has suffered $156 bln in environmental damage as a result of Russia’s war, according to data shared by the country’s Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets on World Environment Day, Euromaidan Press reported. The total includes around $90 bln in damage to protected natural areas and $45 bln linked to soil contamination.

Egyptian coral – The Egyptian government is working to establish a coral reef fund to attract investments in conservation, sustainable tourism, and community-based development, reported Egypt Today. In cooperation with UNDP Egypt, the initiative will support protected areas management, coral reef monitoring, and reef-friendly economic activities, said the government. UNDP said the initiative offers an opportunity to link coral reef conservation with long-term economic resilience for coastal communities.

Last resort? – Members of the public organised on Saturday, protesting against moves to build a luxury resort on one of Albania’s coastal nature reserves, France24 reported. Developers linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, would like to develop a €4.6 bln-tourism project at the Vjosa-Narta Nature Reserve, a hotspot of biodiversity and site for migratory birds in the Mediterranean. Protestors have been urging for the project to be cancelled, gathering in Tirana throughout May to denounce the plans.

Pact made – The Romanian environment ministry has signed an agreement with several of the country’s universities, committing to further collaboration. The National Environmental Pact aims to integrate academic research into the ministry’s policies on biodiversity, forests, and water, according to a government statement. Representatives of the University Bucharest, the National University of Technology, and the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest signed the pact.

AMERICAS

Driving forward – Volkswagen Mexico has extended its partnership with the country’s forestry and agricultural institute (INIFAP), Mexico Business News reported late last week. Under the extended agreement, the duo is set to continue research and restoration around Puebla until 2030. INIFAP and Volkswagen Mexico began their partnership in 2015, working on restoring native bamboo across 355 ha. Work has since expanded to cover 1,855 ha.

Meadows money – Massachusetts has awarded nearly $500,000 in grant funding for field and laboratory studies on marine eelgrass and carbon storage, it announced this week. The two-year study will collect deep sediment cores and measure the movement rate of GHGs, or GHG flux, in restored and natural eelgrass meadows along the state’s coast.

Community-led – Mining company Rio Tinto announced it is increasing its annual investment in community-led initiatives in Canada by 30%. This brings the total annual funding to C$13 mln ($9.3 mln), delivered through the Rio Tinto Canada Fund, according to the company. The overall aim is to advance Indigenous reconciliation, expand access to education and healthcare, support wellbeing, and protect the environment, it said.

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