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TOP STORY
INTERVIEW: Contracted durability mechanisms could shore up nature-based removals under new SBTi corporate climate standard
A carbon project developer has pitched contracted durability mechanisms as a way to manage reversal risk, suggesting these buffer pool alternatives could equalise nature- and tech-based removal credits under the newly-introduced requirements of the Science-based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) latest Corporate Net-Zero Standard.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Carbon Pulse launches the Biodiversity Portal
Track submissions of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and interest in biodiversity credits ahead of COP17 through the Biodiversity Portal.
INTERNATIONAL
FEATURE: New SBTi corporate climate standard sets meaningful internal carbon pricing goalposts, say experts
The introduction of specific price anchors for companies choosing to set an internal carbon price under the newly released Science Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) Corporate Net-Zero Standard, will help to ‘avoid race-to-the-bottom dynamics’ and provide viable financial support to many carbon projects, according to experts.
ANALYSIS: New SBTi corporate climate standard offers path to scale nature-based carbon finance, even if onus is on tech-based removals
Nature-based solutions deserve stronger support in the newly released Science Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2.0, though they still have a clear pathway to scale, according to some carbon market stakeholders, who pointed to the standard’s prioritisation of engineered removals to help companies tackle hard-to-abate emissions later down the line.
BRIEFING: Biodiversity markets face governance concerns amid growing fragmentation
Fast growth in the biodiversity credit market is outpacing the development of robust governance frameworks, with experts stressing the need to urgently address fragmentation and integrity issues.
PACM could scale carbon crediting beyond projects, but rule gaps remain -report
The Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM) could help carbon markets move beyond individual projects and deliver mitigation at scale, but regulators still need to close key methodological, governance, and demand gaps, according to a report released Tuesday.
Global biochar output nearly triples in two years as carbon market participation widens -industry report
Global biochar production has nearly tripled in the past two years and is projected to reach more than 9 million tonnes annually by the end of the decade, as the carbon removal technology moves from an emerging industry into large-scale commercial deployment, according to a new market report.
Integrity trumps price as voluntary biodiversity market shows early signs of growth -report
Demand for voluntary biodiversity credits is being shaped more by integrity than price as the market moves from scheme design to early commercial activity, a new report has said.
Verra issues corrections and clarifications for VM0042 carbon methodology
Verra has issued a number of corrections and clarification for version 2.2 of its VM0042 methodology for Improved Land Management that was released in October.
Absolute Climate launches consultation on updated carbon accounting standard
Carbon accounting firm Absolute Climate has opened a month-long public consultation on an updated version of its Absolute Carbon Standard (ACS), introducing revisions to its framework for certifying removal activities and low-carbon products amid growing scrutiny of market integrity.
GHG Protocol expands on review amidst controversy of scientist resignation
Staff at global standard Greenhouse Gas Protocol have responded with detailed steps of an independent review conducted after scientists on the Independent Standards Board (ISB) raised concerns internally regarding deliberations over forest carbon accounting.
Marine protected areas are expanding but need better implementation to meet 2030 target -report
Countries are falling short in implementing marine protected areas (MPAs), jeopardising the global goal of protecting at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, according to a report released on Tuesday.
Blue carbon guidance risks overlooking Indigenous and community tenure rights, researchers warn
Guidance underpinning the rapidly expanding blue carbon sector frequently overlooks key tenure rights and international obligations to Indigenous peoples, coastal communities, and small-scale fishers, potentially exposing local groups to dispossession and exclusion from project benefits, researchers have warned.
Two-thirds of climate-resilient coral reefs outside global protections -study
Fewer than one-third of climate-resilient coral reefs fall within protected and conserved areas, despite representing one of the clearest near-term opportunities to advance global biodiversity goals, according to a new report.
EMEA
INTERVIEW: War pushes carbon insurers to pause cover in parts of Middle East
Armed conflict and policy uncertainty are making parts of the international carbon market harder to insure just as the EU looks to lean more on overseas credits, according to Bilal Hussain, co-founder and CEO of carbon credit insurer Artio.
INTERVIEW: 330 hectares of European biodiversity credit projects secure private funding
Around 330 hectares of voluntary biodiversity credit pilots in Europe have secured corporate financing to support their work towards certification, Carbon Pulse has learned.
EU food sector seeks more ETS revenues to back 85% emissions cut potential
Europe’s food and drink industry could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 85% from 2020 levels by 2050, exceeding the reductions required under science-based guidance, but only if policymakers channel more carbon pricing revenues and targeted support into low-carbon technologies, according to a sectoral net zero roadmap presented in Brussels on Thursday.
Business coalition urges EU to heed its ideas for scaling carbon farming
A group of companies including Danone, Nestle, and Unilever, shared a set of recommendations on Tuesday which it says could accelerate a European agricultural transition under the bloc’s Carbon Removal Carbon Farming (CRCF) regulation.
Environmental groups challenge EU’s new carbon removal rules over ‘greenwashing’ risks
A coalition of environmental NGOs has triggered an internal review of the European Commission’s newly adopted methodologies for biogenic carbon removals, arguing they breach the EU’s Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation and could end up increasing emissions rather than cutting them.
EU groups urge Commission to create stronger market for carbon farming credits
A coalition of agricultural, climate, and carbon market organisations has called on the European Commission to take urgent action to ensure demand for carbon farming credits, warning that the success of the EU’s Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) regulation depends on creating a viable market for farmers.
Ukraine approves low-carbon strategy, updated energy plan in package of 11 climate measures
Ukraine’s cabinet has approved a package of 11 environmental measures, including a long-term, low-carbon development strategy to 2050, an updated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) through 2030, and a new biodiversity conservation strategy.
European forest carbon sink estimated to miss 2030 climate target by more than quarter
Europe’s forests are on course to miss a carbon sink target consistent with the EU’s 2030 climate goals by more than a quarter, as rising natural disturbances and continued harvesting erode their capacity to absorb emissions, according to a study published this week.
EU Commission seeks feedback on ocean protection, water resilience
The European Commission has launched two consultations aimed at identifying priority research areas in the fields of ocean protection and water resilience.
UK nature tech firm launches biodiversity risk screening tool
A UK-based biodiversity monitoring company on Tuesday launched a tool aimed at helping companies better understand and reduce their impacts on nature.
Technical assistance funding backs Congo sustainable land-use project
A sustainable land-use project in the Republic of the Congo has secured catalytic technical-assistance funding to support environmental and social studies aimed at advancing the project towards investment readiness.
EU ETS could need carbon removals “safety valve” to avoid price surge if CCS, hydrogen rollout falters -report
The EU may need to integrate CO2 removals into its emissions trading system as a “safety valve” to prevent allowance prices from spiralling if deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and green hydrogen infrastructure continues to lag expectations, according to a new report.
Ecologists’ habitat condition judgements really matter for UK biodiversity net gain -report
Natural variability in professional judgement can have a big influence on developers’ obligations under England’s biodiversity net gain (BNG) policy as ecologists’ habitat assessments determine how many units must be delivered or purchased, a study said this week.
Digital MRV firm partners with Danish biogas operator on BECCS project
A digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) provider has partnered with a Danish biogas operator to provide data infrastructure for a five-site bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) project in Denmark, the firms said last week.
British farmland study suggests soil carbon stocks may be significantly underestimated
UK farm soil carbon stocks may be significantly underestimated by current accounting methodologies, with early findings from a major British environmental baselining project indicating that at least 30% of soil organic carbon lies below the depth commonly measured in carbon assessments.
EU must ensure international carbon credit rules enable scale as well as integrity, say experts
Brussels must strike a balance between scale and integrity when it designs its international carbon credit purchasing framework, market stakeholders said this week, as the Commission digests the results of its recent consultation on the matter.
ASIA PACIFIC
Indonesia targets export sale of 30 mln forestry carbon credits in July
Indonesia is looking to launch an international sale of forestry carbon credits next month, offering more than 30 million tonnes of emission reductions to global buyers, according to officials.
Verra reinstates four more Chinese projects after review
Carbon standard Verra has reinstated four additional Chinese forestry and grassland carbon projects following a review of their government authorisations, according to a developer.
India launches voluntary benefit-sharing certification for biological resources
India has launched a voluntary certification scheme enabling businesses to demonstrate compliance with rules on access and benefit-sharing (ABS) for biological resources.
Indonesia’s Southwest Papua preparing carbon regulations
The provincial government of Southwest Papua is working on a jurisdiction-based carbon programme in preparation for future directions from Jakarta, local media reported Friday.
China urged to explore biodiversity credits amid nature financing challenges
Efforts should be made to scale up market-based mechanisms for nature protection in China, including biodiversity credits, according to a new paper.
Malaysia’s central bank urges financial institutions to tackle nature risks
Malaysian financial institutions need to manage their substantial exposure to nature-related risk, said a Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) paper pointing to the large number of commercial loans directed to sectors with high impacts and dependencies on the natural world.
Sydney investment firm rolls out global natural capital fund
A Sydney-based investment manager and forestry firm launched its first global natural capital strategy fund, which will invest across forestry, agriculture, carbon, and biodiversity markets.
AMERICAS
Guyana sees boom year for J-REDD+ revenues with nearly $200 mln income
Guyana’s jurisdictional REDD+ (J-REDD+) programme is blowing past prior annual revenue figures, bringing in some $196 million this year, according to Carbon Pulse calculations based on statements made by the government.
Nodal launches new CORSIA, future and options contracts
Nodal Exchange launched several new environmental futures and options contracts, including for CORSIA.
Brazilian Climate Fund announces new round of R$2.7 bln for restoration projects, backing carbon credit pipeline
Brazil’s National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) have announced five new forest restoration and agroforestry financing operations worth R$834 million ($164 mln), expected to leverage a total of R$2.7 billion in investments and generate millions of carbon credits.
LATAM Roundup: Country regulations shape developers’ goals for project size, attributes
From Mexico to Brazil, state support and regulations appear to be influencing the scale and bonus attributes that carbon project developers plan for in their initiatives.
Sao Paulo launches Brazil’s first sugarcane ethanol BECCS pilot
Sao Paulo state has launched a five-year, R$30 million ($5.9 mln) programme to develop Brazil’s first bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) pilot project for sugarcane ethanol.
US-based startup launches carbon removals business, first projects due this year
A newly launched CO2 removals developer has emerged with plans to build a portfolio of community-focused forestry and biomass projects.
Colombian carbon standard opens consultation on revised biochar methodology
A Colombian carbon crediting standard has opened a public consultation on a revised biochar methodology, with updates aimed at strengthening rules on biomass eligibility, permanence, leakage, uncertainty, and long-term storage.
COMMENT
From public good to bankable cash flow – the real role of nature credits, and banks
Nature credits can support private investment in restoration, but only when embedded within a broader framework of regulatory obligations, subsidy reform, and high-integrity market rules.
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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
INTERNATIONAL
Bric by Bric – Agricultural ministers from the BRICS nations adopted the Indore Declaration, aimed at building connection and collaboration on farming and food, The Policy Edge reported. Ministers also launched four agricultural initiatives during the Indore meeting, intended to tackle challenges including biodiversity conservation. The initiatives are: a network of centres on regenerative agriculture, a network on digital agricultural cooperation, a global forum on farmers’ rights in seed systems, and BRICS AgriN – a scheme aimed at exchanging genetic material and technical information.
EMEA
On the up – The UK government received just over £425,000 from statutory credit sales under England’s biodiversity net gain (BNG) policy last year. This is about £210,000 more than the previous financial year, according to official figures. Statutory credits, intended to be used as a last resort by developers covered by BNG’s 10% uplift requirement, are sold by public body Natural England. Income from statutory credit sales is invested in nature projects, with £530,000 spent on habitat enhancement between Apr. 1, 2025 and Mar. 31, 2026.
Insuf’fish’ent – French authorities have just nine months to ramp up protections for a marine Natura 2000 site after a court deemed measures insufficient. The Administrative Court of Rouen ruled late last week that regulations aimed at stopping bottom trawling at the Bancs des Flandres Natura 2000 site were not enough to allow habitats to recover. The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and Defense des Milieux Aquatiques brought the claims to court while also emphasising that additional marine protections must be accompanied by a just transition for fishers, according to an EJF statement.
Make space – The English government has announced £240 mln in agreements for its Sustainable Farming Incentive, which aims to pay farmers for taking steps to improve soil health, keep waterways clean, and create space for wildlife. The funding also aims to encourage the reduced use of synthetic fertilisers in favour of more sustainable options. A further £50 mln will also be available for a separate funding scheme that pays landowners for more complex environmental work, the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier.
Biosphere reserves – Tanzania and Slovakia have committed to strengthening collaboration to better manage and conserve the UNESCO biosphere reserves. These include the Polana reserve in Slovakia and the Easter Usambara reserve in Tanzania. The agreement was announced on the sidelines of a meeting in Dar es Salaam between Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Juraj Blanar and the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for UNESCO of Tanzania, Hamis Malebo.
Dialogue – Progress in unlocking biodiversity finance is in focus this week in Antalya, Turkiye, as policymakers gather for the 12th Europe, Asia and the Pacific (EAPAC) Regional Dialogue on Biodiversity Finance, convened by UNDP’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN). Marine finance will be a focus of the meeting, particularly for six Pacific Island nations attending the event, demonstrating ways to connect ocean conservation with national development, said BIOFIN in a press release.
ASIA PACIFIC
Swap flop – Asia has been comparatively underrepresented in debt-for-nature swaps, while Latin America and Africa have dominated transactions, according to the East Asia Forum. Swaps in Asia have comprised just 13% of deals, despite the region containing critical ecosystems that are facing mounting environmental stress. External debt levels across developing Asian economies increased by 145% between 2008-23. The countries have lacked the key ingredient of early debt-for-nature swaps of deeply discounted sovereign debt, it said.
Mongolia NBSAP – Mongolia has approved its National Strategic Plan for Biodiversity Conservation for 2026-30, establishing 20 objectives and 108 measures aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, UN Development Programme Mongolia announced this week. The plan targets restoring 30% of degraded land and placing 30% of the country’s territory under protection – aligning with global 30×30 goals – while expanding ecological corridors, rehabilitating mining-impacted areas, and strengthening conservation finance.
Funding allocation – Pakistan’s climate ministry has secured $8.6 mln for environmental investment, Arab News reported on Monday. The majority of the capital, some $8.2 mln, will be spent on a project aimed as conserving biodiversity, expanding forest cover, and restoring degraded ecosystems. Meanwhile, other pots of funding will be dedicated to a green skills project for young people and a scheme looking to boost resilience to natural disasters. The country is one of the world’s most vulnerable to climate change.
Natural encouragement – The World Bank has called on Thailand to lean into natural capital accounting, suggesting it would help the country unlock green growth opportunities. World Bank’s country director Melinda Good urged investment in forest and marine landscapes during an event in Bangkok last week, Nation Thailand reported. Not only would natural capital accounting make the country’s ecosystems visible on the balance sheet, but it would help increase Thailand’s climate resilience, she said.
From sea to land – The Western Australian government has granted an aquaculture licence to SeaStock to grow a type of red seaweed at scale at an onshore facility in Perth, it announced. The government said SeaStock has developed an innovative onshore cultivation technique that provides consistent, quality biomass and high yield. The facility will be the state’s first commercial-scale seaweed production facility, with the asparagopsis seaweed being fed to livestock to reduce methane emissions, among other uses. The federal government recently tapped Meat and Livestock Australia to develop a beef herd management method under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme to include feed additive technologies as an eligible activity for crediting.
Small steps – A Dubai-headquartered maritime logistics company has launched a small seagrass project in South Korea. DP World signed an MoU with Korea Green Foundation and the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency, committing to monitor and restore 2.4 ha of seagrass meadow off Geoje Island for the next four years. The non-binding agreement covers research, community engagement, and public awareness efforts, according to DP World.
AMERICAS
Seaweed credits – Carbonwave expects to be issued its first sargassum carbon credit vintages in 2027, following the advancing of a methodology under Gold Standard and ongoing project-specific verification activities, it said in an annual report released in June. The anticipated issuance would represent a significant milestone for both the company and the wider blue carbon market, the developer claimed. If successful, these credits are expected to be among the first commercially issued carbon credits linked to methane emissions avoidance from sargassum seaweed.
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