VCM Report: Nature-based offset trades rev up amid wider VER stagnation
Voluntary emissions reduction (VER) prices dithered this week evenas spot commodities exchange and market data firm Xpansiv announced the inaugural trades in its nature-based offset product, while a new report highlighted the expansion of voluntary carbon market (VCM) interest in forestry-based credits over the past five years.
Read MoreINTERVIEW: Carpetmaker Interface, a carbon-neutral pioneer, looks back on two decades of market evolution
After seeking to offset its emissions in the days before GHG protocols and carbon standards, US-based flooring manufacturer Interface is now receiving international acclaim for its work that has helped expand the voluntary emissions reductions (VER) market over the past 20 years.
Read MoreAnalysts cautious over US-China climate message, mood more upbeat in Japan
Analysts have welcomed the joint US-China statement on climate change released over the weekend but warned against lifting expectations too high, whereas the outlook in Japan is brighter after a bilateral announcement made on Friday.
Read MoreSouth Pole eyes acquisitions, expansion after Liechtenstein fund acquires 10% stake
Offset developer and consultancy South Pole is targeting rapid expansion this year after an impact fund owned by the Liechtenstein royal family acquired a 10% stake in the business.
Read MoreOil companies structurally incapable of achieving net zero emissions, researchers say
Fossil-fuel companies, long accused of using carbon offsets to avoid instead of accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future, may be structurally incapable of making that transition, according to a peer-reviewed paper published Thursday.
Read MoreCOMMENT: Climate action claims are the new frontier for robust carbon accounting
Instruments to reduce emissions need to be clearly ranked for their environmental integrity and associated with robust claims that provide an accurate representation of the impacts achieved, argues Marion Verles of SustainCERT, adding that having civil society formulate a consensus on what can and can’t be done with offsets would go a long way in reassuring corporates and citizens that the market is trustworthy.
Read MoreJ-Power ditches coal plans, but long way to go for Japan on decarbonisation
Utility J-Power on Friday announced it had scrapped plans to build a 600 MW coal-fired power plant amid profitability concerns, but remaining projects in the country’s pipeline could still add over 50 MtCO2/year to Japan’s carbon emissions.
Read MoreChina environment ministry pitches carbon test for new projects
China’s ecology and environment ministry has proposed introducing a carbon impact assessment as part of the approval process for new energy intensive, high emitting projects as part of efforts to ensure the country meets its climate ambitions.
Read MoreUPDATE – AirCarbon Exchange launches nature-based offsets contract, as rival sees its own first trade
Singapore-based AirCarbon Exchange (ACX) on Friday announced it has introduced a new contract for carbon credits from nature-based projects, as rival bourse Xpansiv cleared the inaugural trade of its similar offset product.
Read MoreSouth Korea sets temporary ETS price floor
South Korea will from Monday introduce a temporary minimum price in its emissions trading scheme, to halt declining price levels that have seen KAUs drop to 5-year lows, the environment ministry announced Friday.
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