Green finance pathway – The Reserve Bank of Vanuatu held a workshop to advance its Inclusive Green Finance Roadmap 2026-30, as part of the Global Green Growth Institute’s (GGGI’s) Greening the Pacific Financial Systems programme, the Seoul-based organisation said. The roadmap addresses both the country’s vulnerability to climate-related impacts and the financial exclusion of a significant share of the population, GGGI said, by promoting access to climate-responsive financial products and climate risk insurance. GGGI added that the roadmap will guide coordinated action, strengthen ESG practices, and mobilise climate finance to support the population.

The widespread deployment of wind and solar farms across the UK has considerably blunted the impact of the recent gas price spike on the UK, new analysis indicated.

The Climate Action Reserve (CAR) announced on Wednesday the launch of its efforts to update the US Landfill Protocol to version 7.0.

California issued some 100,000 offsets in the last two weeks to mine methane capture (MMC) projects, overtaking total ozone depleting substance offsets (ODS) issued by the state, according to data published on Wednesday.

The UK government is creating a one-stop-shop for environmental approvals of two major clean energy projects, in its latest effort to speed up their development, it announced on Wednesday.

A prolonged Middle East energy supply disruption would increase near-term coal use and emissions before accelerating a long-term shift towards energy independence led by renewables and nuclear power, an energy consultancy warned on Wednesday.

A partnership to certify carbon removal (CDR) projects and issue credits was announced on Wednesday, with the collaboration set to deliver what was described as a new class of credits to buyers.

Atlas ascends – California-based Infinium, the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA), and American Airlines said on Wednesday that Infinium’s Project Atlas had been selected under SABA’s next-generation sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) procurement. The eSAF project, with American as the end-use airline, is set to supply SAF certificates through a book-and-claim model intended to scale high-integrity fuel pathways and support project finance. Atlas is planned to produce about 100,000 tonnes per year and targets a 95% carbon intensity reduction versus fossil jet fuel.

Budget blows - The Trump administration’s fiscal 2027 budget request for the US DOE proposes eliminating funding for wind, solar, and weatherisation programmes while redirecting billions of dollars toward coal, natural gas, and nuclear power, according to newly released office-level details, E&E News reported. The plan would repurpose more than $3 bln previously allocated for hydrogen hubs under the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law into initiatives supporting baseload power sources, alongside a broader shift of roughly $15 bln in funding. The administration framed the proposal as advancing energy dominance through investment in so-called reliable energy sources, though the request remains non-binding and is likely to face revisions in Congress, which has previously modified or rejected similar proposals.

Brazil watch – Brazil’s Extraordinary Secretariat of the Carbon Market (SEMC) at the Ministry of Finance is stepping up efforts to strengthen its role on the global stage, saying on Wednesday that a representative took part in the Prakriti International Conference in New Delhi, India. The secretariat has also recently stepped up engagement with the domestic private sector and outlined its planned agenda for 2026.

The WCI compliance instrument surplus built in Q1 as the market entered the final year of the fifth compliance period, state data showed.

Pyrolysis lines packed – The eight pyrolysis lines of Exomad Green's third biochar production plant in the Guarayos department in Bolivia, currently under construction, are ready to be shipped from its Chinese supplier, manufacturer Beston Group said on LinkedIn this week. The announcement is part of the second phase of the partnership between the two companies, which entails total support to Exomad's objective of reaching 1 mln tonnes of biochar produced per year by 2027 with 15 operational systems. Beston Group has already supplied BST-50 pyrolysis technologies to the Bolivian developer.

Permit pushback - Environmental group Friends of the Earth has asked the US EPA to withdraw, modify, or hold a public hearing on a permit issued to Carboniferous for a marine carbon removal (mCDR) pilot project in the Gulf of Mexico, arguing the agency failed to adequately assess what the group called the potential for reckless and irreversible ecological damage. In a request filed Monday, the group said the Trump administration’s EPA did not address climate change in its authorisation or explain the rationale for the biomass dumping test, and argued that a public hearing is needed to ensure a more transparent review process that includes scientific and expert analysis. (E&E News)

Fuel flow – Boston-based Sora Fuel has raised $14.6 mln to scale a technology that it says can turn captured CO2 into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as per an announcement on Wednesday. The company said Spero Ventures and Inspired Capital co-led the round, alongside investments from Engine Ventures and Wireframe Ventures. Proceeds are set to fund a pilot facility that aims to lift output from gallons to barrels within 18-24 months. Sora added that its process avoids a costly step in conventional direct air capture (DAC), with a claimed pathway to captured carbon below $50/tonne and SAF under $5 per gallon.

Agri-alchemy – Canada on Tuesday announced up to C$1.2 mln in funding to support development of a low-carbon chemical production process. The investment, delivered via the AgriScience Program’s Projects Component to the company Anodyne Chemistries, will back a bio-electric process converting CO2 and water into formic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The products will be used on Canadian farms for feed preservation, livestock health, and equipment sanitisation, while the process aims to cut GHG emissions and reduce reliance on petrochemical feedstocks.

The US EPA violated its own regulations by denying biofuel blending exemptions to two oil refineries in Louisiana and Wyoming, a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday, vacating the agency’s decisions and sending them back for reconsideration.

In a quarterly update, published Wednesday, oil major Shell has acknowledged that its long-term goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050 may not be achieved if wider society fails to decarbonise at the same pace, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding corporate climate pledges.

Carbon credit retirements fell in the first quarter of 2026 while average prices edged higher, data published Wednesday showed, with higher-value units increasingly associated with projects meeting stricter quality, compliance, and methodological criteria.

EU rules enabling the earlier auctioning of carbon allowances under the bloc's incoming Emissions Trading System for buildings and road transport (ETS2) were adopted by the European Commission on Wednesday.

The volume of European carbon market futures traded on the EEX exchange has more than tripled year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, according to data published Wednesday.

Advancing Chile's REDD+ - A technical team from the World Bank visited Chilean officials to review the methodology used to quantify emissions under the REDD+ programme of the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) amid the verification process of its second Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA), the Chilean government announced last week. The national forestry agency, CONAF, and the Forestry Institute (INFOR) presented methods for forest degradation and recovery, including uncertainty measurements. In Jan. 2025, Chile received its first ERPA disbursement for $5 mln by reducing 1 MtCO2e between 2019-21. Some 3 Mt worth of reductions (2022-23) are now under FCPF verification.

European carbon prices gave up an early 3.4% gain on Wednesday, while energy prices fell sharply after the US and Iran agreed a two-week ceasefire, and weekly positioning data showed investment funds cautiously adding to their net length after a 10-week run of reductions.

Taxonomy time – An independent Appointment Committee on Wednesday announced the launch of a new Canadian council to oversee development of a sustainable finance taxonomy and corporate transition planning guidance. The Taxonomy and Transition Planning Council will set criteria for “green” and “transition” investments while also developing sector-specific transition plan guidance to support companies and investors. The initiative is intended to strengthen Canada’s ability to attract capital as it seeks around C$115 bln ($83 bln) per year to finance its low-carbon transition amid intensifying global competition. Backed by federal seed funding, the council aims to deliver investment criteria across six priority sectors by the end of 2027.

Ukraine’s steel sector has already lost over 1.1 million tonnes of export orders in the first quarter of 2026 due to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), with broader impacts expected on production, exports, and economic output, according to research presented at a recent roundtable in Kyiv.

Multinational extractive companies – including oil and gas companies – channel a larger share of their profits into tax havens during commodity booms, a study by the Paris School of Economics’ tax observatory has found.

The temporary ceasefire in the Middle East offers European gas markets only fleeting relief, with lasting stability far out of reach, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

The UK government has approved what will become the country’s largest power-producing solar farm, as it continues its push toward clean, domestically-generated energy.

Several stakeholders have called on the European Commission for a shift toward rewarding ecosystem services for agriculture and forestry in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

A battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Chile, designed to capture and deliver renewable electricity, has obtained bilateral authorisation from the Swiss and Chilean governments.

Offsetting behaviour – The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) said this week that it will purchase up to 3,750 carbon credits from the National Indian Carbon Coalition (NICC) to offset emissions from its 2026 conference in Los Angeles. The partnership will generate credits from an improved forest management (IFM) project in the Blackfeet Nation in Montana, marking the third year the groups have collaborated. The initiative supports ASLA’s net zero by 2040 goal. Revenue from credit sales will help protect 69,000 acres of forest, avoid harvesting of around 34 mln trees over 40 years, and sequester roughly 1.2 mln tonnes of CO2, press materials said.

Caribbean credits advance – The Dominican Republic Ministry of Energy and Mines held a meeting with the Kinetic Coalition and the World Bank Group, it said this week. On the occasion, the Vice Minister of Innovation and Energy Transition, Betty Soto, said that collaboration between the organisations will be key to generating high-integrity carbon credits through the Standard for the Transformation of the Electric Power Sector (STEPS). STEPS is expected to contribute to energy security and affordability in the country.

Surging fuel prices driven by the Iran war have alerted companies and policymakers to the energy security benefits of greener alternatives, which could help galvanise momentum on a global framework for shipping emissions, according to experts.

LoA expected soon - Canada-based carbon finance firm Base Carbon on Wednesday said it is ready to move its Vietnam household devices project into the government’s approval pipeline once new rules take effect, with local partner SIPCO preparing application documents. The company expects to advance the project through the letter of authorisation (LoA) process shortly after the decree becomes effective in May. SIPCO, the in-country project developer, is leading documentation efforts required for regulatory submission. The move positions the project to seek authorisation for international credit transfers under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Kenya’s self-financed climate targets through 2035 can meet its ‘fair share’ contribution to 1.5C global warming, but it has much greater mitigation potential it needs international support to unlock – where clean cooking could play a crucial role, according to new analysis.

Cash for carbon - Carbon-to-materials company Vateris (previously Concrete4Change) has closed a new funding round, bringing its total capital raised to $10 mln. The round includes new strategic investment from Holcim MaQer Ventures and Kiilto Ventures, with continued support from existing investors Goldbeck and Zacua Ventures. The capital will support the startup's transition from pilot validation to industrial scale-up, for its precision carbon-to-materials platform centered on engineering vaterite. Its proprietary process converts industrial flue gas CO2 into a mineral additive for cement and concrete called GypCarb, while co-producing a mineral fertiliser. This additive is designed as a drop-in solution for cement production. (IndexBox)

Zambia is seeking proposals for solar photovoltaic projects that are eligible for its new performance-based financing programme created under an Article 6 carbon trade deal with Norway.

The Greens in the European Parliament have called for talks on reforming the EU’s Market Stability Reserve (MSR) to be suspended, saying the file must be linked to the broader reform of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) due in July.

Voluntary cancellations of Kyoto-era carbon credits in Australia surged in March, driven by a handful of large transactions and continued reliance on Certified Emission Reductions (CER), registry data showed.

Backs out - India has withdrawn its bid to host the COP33 UN climate summit in 2028 after reviewing its commitments for that year, Climate Home News reported. The decision, conveyed to other nations on Apr. 2, was not publicly announced and came without detailed explanation. The move leaves South Korea as the only known contender, with a final decision on the 2028 host expected later this year.

Carbon neutral candy - Nakamura, a long-established confectionery in Japan's Nagoya, has launched what it claims to be the first "carbon neutral candy" in the domestic market. The company said it managed to reduce emissions from candy manufacturing by 44% by switching to organic raw materials. The remaining 56% emissions have been offset by the use of domestically issued offsets, following the purchase of J-Credits from forestry projects, according to a company statement.  

Needs must - The Negative Emissions Platform has launched its 'ETS needs removals' campaign to advocate for integrating permanent carbon removals into the EU Emissions Trading System. The campaign aims to highlight the importance of creating a clear and credible pathway to scale up carbon removals rapidly, ensuring they contribute effectively to both climate goals and industrial competitiveness. The NEP emphasises that market-based instruments like the ETS can accelerate the development of this sector while maintaining strong emission reduction efforts. The launch includes a new dedicated webpage and video aimed at raising awareness among policymakers, industry, and the public. It also positions carbon removals as a major economic opportunity for Europe, with the potential to strengthen industrial leadership in a rapidly growing global market. The campaign will build momentum in the coming months and culminate at the Negative Emissions Summit in Brussels on June 4, where stakeholders will further discuss policy and investment needs.

Design for China's carbon futures products should reflect the characteristics of the Chinese emissions trading system and cover risk control mechanisms, a new paper suggested.

Biomass boiler - Vihaan Clean & Green Tech, an India-based environmental infrastructure firm, said in a press release that it has started a 100% biomass-based boiler plant in the state of Gujarat that is expected to cut around 81,000 tCO2 annually. The company, which provides centralised water, energy, and waste management solutions for industrial clusters, said the facility will use agricultural waste as fuel, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Vihaan added the project enhances energy security and operational resilience amid volatile global fuel markets.

Name change - On May 4, the Zero Emissions Platform (ZEP) will change its name to Carbon Management Europe to more clearly reflect its work on industrial carbon management, said ZEP chair, Eve Tamme on LinkedIn. Members receive benefits such as view representation, intelligence, and knowledge sharing. They so far include energy producers, industrial companies, infrastructure developers, tech providers, financiers, academia, and non-profits.  

Solar in Sicily – The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Societe Generale have unveiled a €153 million financing package for a 137 MW solar photovoltaic project in Sicily, Italy, aligned with the EU’s REPowerEU plan and Italy’s 2030 climate goals. The Sand Solar plant, to be developed by Peridot Solar in Monreale and Gibellina, is expected to generate about 256 GWh of renewable electricity annually, enough to power nearly 100,000 households, and avoid some 85,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year once online by mid-2027. The project will include biodiversity protection zones and ecological corridors, with a 5 km underground grid connection and new substation.

All ears -  Committees under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) are seeking public input on two proposed offset methodologies. The Japan-Bangladesh committee has issued a call for feedback on a methodology for water management in rice paddy fields, while the Japan-Philippines committee is gathering thoughts on a proposal for afforestation/reforestation methodology. The window for input on the two proposals will be open until Apr. 22, according to the notices.        

Japan's national space agency has decided to subsidise two players in the domestic carbon sector, who aim to leverage satellite data for the creation of carbon credits.

Game on -  Australia is launching its "Game On" grants programme, providing A$35.3 mln  ($24.9 mln) over two funding rounds to help up to 500 community sporting clubs improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and become more resilient to climate impacts, it announced. Eligible projects include installing solar PV, batteries, energy audits, and upgraded lighting or HVAC systems. The federal government said by lowering energy costs and improving resilience to extreme weather, the initiative aims to free up more funding for grassroots sport, benefiting the millions of Australians who use community sporting facilities each year.

A regenerative agriculture certification body has updated its carbon insetting rules, tightening integrity requirements and introducing a new additionality approach as it seeks to scale supply chain-based climate claims.

Turkiye has built Europe’s largest battery project pipeline also increasing its renewable power share, though coal remains the country’s main electricity source, according to analysis released Wednesday.

An Australian biogas project developer is nearing a positive final investment decision on a project in New South Wales that will supply biomethane to fire low-carbon bricks and generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) it announced Wednesday.

Biomass boost – New Zealand’s Genesis Energy has signed an agreement with Nature’s Flame to advance feasibility studies and negotiations on the production and supply of torrefied wood pellets, the gentailer said in a press release Wednesday. The biomass would be used in place of coal at Huntly Power Station, the country’s largest coal-fired generator with a capacity of 1,200 MW. Nature’s Flame currently makes white pellets at its plant in Taupo; the agreement with Genesis is to explore the possibility of adding a torrefaction facility, as well as determine key terms for a supply agreement. Genesis is aiming to source 300,000 t of biomass a year for Huntly by FY 2028, and last year signed agreements with Foresta and Carbona. New Zealand’s electricity system is dominated by renewables, but is currently reliant on fossil fuels to fill the gap in dispatchable energy, such as in dry years. Power generation is covered by the NZ ETS, boosting the economic case for biomass.

REDDy for credits – A REDD+ project in Bhutan is seeking 1.8 mln credits for reductions over 2020-24, documents from ART TREES showed. The Article 6 and CORSIA eligible project’s monitoring and registration documents opened for public comments on Apr. 7, for 30 days. It follows the royal government’s publication of its carbon market rules at the end of December, including for ITMOs.