Sustainability and carbon market news

Carbon methodology development gathered pace in recent weeks, with three separate bodies approving new and revised standards for forestry, agroforestry, rice, and biochar projects across voluntary and national markets. A farmer applying biochar to...

The UK government has published its proposed seventh Carbon Budget, targeting an 87% reduction in carbon emissions from 1990 levels during the 2038 to 2042 period. Electric vehicles charging at a modern UK station powered by nearby wind turbines and...

Public revenues from carbon pricing reached $107 billion in 2025, tripling over the past decade, according to the World Bank's State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2026 report. A biodiverse rainforest illustrating nature-based carbon credits. AI...

Two new studies have delivered urgent findings about the world's most important rainforests, and the conclusions point in the same direction. Deforestation and inadequate land management are pushing both the Amazon and the Congo Basin closer to...

New Zealand has released a new assurance framework to support the development of verified nature and carbon markets domestically, giving buyers, landowners, and project developers greater confidence in market integrity. Environmental workers...

Kenya has launched the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), positioning the country's natural ecosystems as productive economic assets rather than environmental liabilities....

A study published in Communications Earth & Environment on 18 March 2026 has offered the first detailed assessment of how beavers influence carbon dynamics in the landscapes they inhabit. The findings add a new dimension to the science of...

A major international scientific assessment endorsed by more than 150 governments has concluded that biodiversity loss now presents a systemic risk to economies, supply chains and financial systems. The new Business and Biodiversity Assessment by...

In a landmark development for nature-based finance, a South African grassland restoration initiative has successfully issued the world's first carbon credits to carry the Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB) label under Verra’s updated VM0042...

As 2025 draws to a close, the voluntary carbon market is entering a more defined and deliberate phase of development. After years of rapid expansion, the market has become more discerning, placing greater value on credibility, long-term impact, and...

Verra has marked a significant milestone in the voluntary carbon market with the issuance of its first carbon credits labelled under the Core Carbon Principles (CCP) using the Improved Forest Management (IFM) methodology VM0045. The issuance follows...

November saw renewed momentum in nature-based carbon removals, with project developers reporting substantial transaction volumes and new funding commitments despite a slowdown in equity activity. Data shows that developers disclosed around 670,000...

As COP30 convenes in Belém, Brazil—on the edge of the Amazon rainforest—delegates arrived with extreme weather fresh in mind. The recent typhoons in Southeast Asia, together with ongoing storm recovery in Jamaica and Brazil, brought COP30’s core...

A new report by researchers at the University of Cambridge finds that nature-based carbon removals can play a key role in achieving long-term temperature stabilisation when combined with engineered carbon removal approaches and supported by solid...

Taiwan and Paraguay have formalised a new partnership to collaborate on carbon credit trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, strengthening their joint commitment to meet UN green targets. Panoramic view of Paraguay’s rainforest with...

New York Climate Week 2025 delivered an unexpectedly structured and cautiously optimistic picture of environmental action, drawing roughly 100,000 attendees across some 1,000 events. Rather than a reprise of hand-wringing, discussions reflected an...

Brazil has taken a significant step in global forest protection by becoming the first nation to invest in the newly created Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF). President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva announced the $1 billion investment during the...

A growing body of research is reaffirming what leading carbon project developers already know: The social integrity of greenhouse gas programmes is as vital as their ecological performance. A new paper by the Center for International Forestry...

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has unveiled its much-anticipated Financial Institutions Net-Zero Standard, a new framework designed to help the finance sector align with the global transition to a net-zero economy. This marks the first...

Meta, the tech company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has opened its 2025 Request for Proposals (RfP) as part of its ongoing mission to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its value chain by 2030. Two businessmen are...

This year at the Dutch Blockchain Week 2025, held from 19 to 25 May in Amsterdam, Carbify was awarded the Best BCNL Community Award, acknowledging its focus on transparency and environmental engagement within the Web3 space. A drone flying over...

Apple significantly increased its use of carbon credits in 2024, retiring 737,100 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent—its highest level on record. These offsets were applied to its corporate carbon footprint, which includes emissions from direct operations,...

Integrating carbon pricing into biomass value chains could offer a financial boost to efforts aimed at clearing invasive alien trees, a new report suggests. Published by the Commonwealth Forestry Association, the study explores how carbon incentives...

Singapore and Malaysia have launched the Johor-Singapore Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), a landmark initiative to strengthen cooperation in key areas, including carbon credits and renewable energy. The agreement, announced on 7 January after a year of...

Canadian agri-tech company Hempalta has acquired full ownership of the Hemp Carbon Standard (HCS), cementing its position in the voluntary carbon market. The company purchased the remaining 49.9% stake in the digital carbon platform from UK-based...

The UK government has announced a $300 (£239) million commitment to fight deforestation in forest-rich nations, with a significant portion directed to the World Bank's Scale programme. The pledge, revealed at the COP29 summit in Baku, emphasises the...

During Climate Week NYC in September, Abatable, a leading provider of carbon market solutions, unveiled its 2024 Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) Investment Attractiveness Index. The Index ranks the top five countries for carbon credit investments...

King, the company behind the popular Candy Crush game, has become the first to purchase biodiversity credits under the UK’s newly launched voluntary scheme. The company acquired 543 credits at approximately $66 (£50) per unit, supporting a nature...

Rwanda has secured a $39.1 million grant aimed at restoring the ecologically significant Congo-Nile Divide. The initiative, set to commence this month, targets deforestation and enhances climate resilience across the Western, Northern, and Southern...

In a significant move to protect biodiversity, the Canadian government has announced an investment of over $12.5 million to conserve more than 1,600 hectares of land, primarily in southern Ontario. This initiative, supported through the Canada...

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) have launched a new interoperability mapping tool designed to streamline biodiversity reporting for businesses. This tool aligns TNFD Disclosure...

The International Carbon Registry (ICR) has launched a new Pilot Biodiversity Program to integrate biodiversity conservation with global sustainability efforts. This initiative provides a framework for projects to enhance biodiversity and offers...

South Downs National Park has launched the UK's first voluntary biodiversity credit scheme, marking a significant step towards nature recovery through private investments. The initiative, introduced in partnership with nature tech company Earthly,...

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is establishing its first biodiversity fund, aiming to attract significant global investments. This fund will receive an initial $2.7 million from the DBSA’s Green Fund, which was initially capitalised...

A Swiss-based non-profit, NatureFinance, has released new recommendations to enhance Africa’s biodiversity credit market. These recommendations include establishing minimum price floors for credits and creating an independent body to assess project...

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) will launch the LEH GO GREEN project in Monrovia. This initiative, backed by the European Union (EU) and its Member States, prioritises forest ecosystem and...

In a significant move towards ecological preservation, two German companies have recently invested in the country's inaugural biodiversity credits. The fintech firm Wundertax and children's product maker Emma & Noah acquired around 20,000 credits...

In a significant conservation effort, Bhutan's government, alongside a coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), has announced a commitment to mobilise $1 billion over the next 10 years to safeguard tigers and their natural habitats. This...

In a significant boost to the carbon offsetting sector, Treefera has secured $12 million in Series A funding, just seven months after a $2.2 million pre-seed round. The London-based company is at the forefront of utilising AI and data to increase...

A recent study, led by researchers including Jamie Carr from the University of York, underscores the success of conservation measures in reversing biodiversity loss. Published in Science, this groundbreaking research consolidates evidence from...

In a remarkable stride toward biodiversity conservation, Regen Network has successfully sold a significant portion of its biodiversity credits, specifically designed for jaguar preservation in Ecuador. This initiative spans across a lush...

Nestlé, a leader in the global food and beverage sector, is taking significant steps towards environmental sustainability with its latest initiatives to reduce carbon emissions within its cocoa supply chain. In a groundbreaking move, the company has...

In a significant advancement within the environmental and agricultural sectors, Verra is taking a pivotal step forward by developing a new module designed to enhance the quantification of soil organic carbon (SOC) using cutting-edge digital soil...

A recent study has revealed that governments have been significantly underestimating the financial value of nature's ecosystem services by as much as 180%. Led by a University of Hamburg academic and published in Science, the research proposes a...

In a significant move towards environmental sustainability, Saudi Arabia has placed itself at the forefront of the global green movement. The Kingdom is assertively pushing forward with initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and...

HSBC has teamed up with Google Cloud to financially back firms that are at the forefront of creating technology-driven solutions for nature conservation. This partnership centres around Google Cloud's Ready-Sustainability programme, which is...

In a pivotal moment at the 54th World Economic Forum in Davos that took place between 15 and 19 January, the environmental agenda took centre stage alongside geopolitical discussions, marking a significant shift in corporate and financial sectors'...

Western Australia is set to halt commercial logging in its old-growth and native forests from the beginning of next year, following a government plan released on 15 December. The initiative aims to protect the state's biodiversity, including trees...

In a groundbreaking move during COP28, the Governors' Climate and Forests Task Force (GCF Task Force) rallied for a $1 billion investment, igniting the creation of a ‘new forest economy’. The urgency behind this initiative lies in redefining...

Representatives from 175 nations gathered in Nairobi to address the pressing issue of plastic pollution, reflecting a global commitment to finding solutions. Last year, consensus was reached to finalise a UN treaty by 2024, acknowledging the threats...

In a surprising move, the Kenyan government announced a national public holiday on 13 November 2023 dedicated to planting trees. This initiative is part of an ambitious plan to plant an astounding 15 billion trees by 2032. Interior and National...

In a bid to protect its pristine natural landscapes, the government of British Columbia has introduced a groundbreaking initiative: the Conservation Financing Mechanism. This visionary project, boasting a substantial budget of $300 million,...

Ethiopian Forest Development (EFD) has revealed that Ethiopia's commitment to the forestry sector is on track to generate a staggering $100 million in revenue from carbon trade by 2030. EFD's National Red Plus Program Coordinator, Yitebtu Moges...

In a significant move to bolster biodiversity conservation, Malaysia is set to roll out its comprehensive National Policy on Biological Diversity 2022–2030. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised the importance of aligning state-level...

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is gearing up to launch a groundbreaking buyers club for biodiversity credits in early 2024. Several major companies are showing interest in becoming early participants, and a pilot auction is planned for an...

The World Biodiversity Summit 2023, held in New York during Climate Week NYC and the UN General Assembly, convened a diverse and motivated crowd. This event, building on last year's success, solidified itself as a global cross-sector gathering...

Investors overseeing an impressive $23.6 trillion of funds have launched a concerted effort to push 100 companies to step up their efforts in combatting biodiversity loss. A collective effort by Axa Investment Managers, Robeco, the Church...

The Global Environment Facility’s Seventh Assembly witnessed an exceptional demonstration of international collaboration as representatives from 185 countries came together to address the urgent need for safeguarding global biodiversity. The...

While the financial world shifts its gears towards net-zero targets, a fresh report from non-profit CDP reveals a potential pitfall: the oversight of nature-related dependencies. The financial sector's commendable 95% commitment to tackling climate...

Pakistan has set a new goal for its carbon trading sales, targeting $12 billion in revenue by launching a mangrove plantation project in the Indus Delta of the southern Sindh province. Officials have confirmed $40 million worth of carbon credits...

In an effort to protect natural spaces from the encroachment of urbanisation in Singapore, Ashley Welch, a biodiversity specialist, has introduced the Singapore Biodiversity Accounting Metric. Developed in collaboration with Aecom and Camphora over...

In a groundbreaking shift in environmental policy, the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) framework has been set in motion to safeguard nature during development projects. Starting 11 November 11 2023, most developments in the United Kingdom must...

A collaborative report by the African Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA) and management consulting firm Oliver Wyman has underscored the growing importance of African regulators taking action on nature-related risks in line with their mandate to...

In a significant development, the National Assembly of Guyana has given the green light to a $148 million supplementary funding package. The funds are earmarked for direct disbursements to Guyana's Indigenous communities and climate adaptation...

In a significant leap towards environmental preservation, the European Union has adopted a groundbreaking Nature Restoration Law, signalling a paradigm shift in the fight against biodiversity loss and climate change. This comprehensive law, the...

In anticipation of the seventh Ministerial on Climate Action (MoCA7), which took place on 13 and 14 July in Bruxelles, Steven Guilbeault, Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change, revealed that Canada will provide a substantial...

The New Zealand government has introduced a comprehensive package of measures to safeguard native wildlife and habitats at risk. Led by the Minister for Climate Change and Associate Minister for the Environment, James Shaw, these initiatives are...

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has announced a remarkable $1.4 billion fund aimed at rapidly tackling global environmental crises, including biodiversity loss and climate change. This unprecedented programme aims to benefit 14 million people...

French State Minister for Ecology, Bérangère Couillard, and UK’s Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Thérèse Coffey, have jointly launched a Global Biodiversity Credits Roadmap aimed at enabling companies to contribute to...

Biodiversity loss poses a significant challenge to humanity. In response, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and adelphi, a Berlin-based think-tank, have released a Strategy Paper that focuses on strengthening cooperation to...

India's groundbreaking Project Tiger, designed to rescue the country's iconic big cat from the brink of extinction, has marked its 50th anniversary in 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India now hosts over 3,000 tigers, representing...

In a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers have shed light on the significant impact of food production on biodiversity losses, with certain staple commodities playing a major role. The study, led...

A set of groundbreaking guidelines has been introduced by the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) to assist companies in placing nature conservation at the forefront of their operations. The SBTN, in collaboration with 17 pilot companies, including...

According to groundbreaking research conducted by Queen's University Belfast (QUB), almost half of Earth's animal species are currently in decline. The study, led by PhD student Catherine Finn and Dr Daniel Pincheira-Donoso from the School of...

Aviva, the United Kingdom's largest insurance company, is setting a remarkable example with its unwavering commitment to environmental preservation and sustainability. As the urgency to address global climatic issues and biodiversity loss...

The biodiversity market, a rapidly expanding sector, should have more flexibility in measuring and reporting its impact, according to a senior member of Verra, a standard-setting organisation, as reported by Carbon Pulse. Comparing it to the...

In a recent interview, VCMI’s Executive Director, Mark Kenber, shared key insights on voluntary carbon markets, the Global Stocktake, and the importance of integrity at COP28. Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) is a...

A recent report from ShareAction emphasises the urgent need to reduce agrochemical use to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. The nonprofit organisation calls on the financial sector to reassess its investment practices in pesticide companies as a...

A recent study conducted in Canada's National Forest Inventory reveals that maintaining diverse forests leads to increased carbon and nitrogen accumulation in the soil, which sustains soil fertility and advances climate resilience. View from above...

In a significant development, Finnish scientists have introduced a pilot project toolkit designed to help companies evaluate their impact on biodiversity, commonly referred to as their ‘biodiversity footprint.’ Collaborating on the project were the...

Protecting and restoring the planet's delicate natural resources comes at a price, but it's far less costly than the alternative. Research conducted by BloombergNEF reveals that financing explicitly for safeguarding biodiversity currently amounts to...

Ecuador has successfully closed its largest ‘debt-for-nature’ exchange, securing $12 million annually for the conservation of the Galapagos Islands, renowned for their unique ecosystems. The country recently repurchased approximately $1.6 billion of...

In a move that highlights the increasing popularity of debt swaps for environmental causes, the Bank of America Corporation is set to organise a significant $500 million debt swap for marine conservation in Gabon, according to sources. The West...

A recent study found that protecting and restoring wildlife populations could play a significant role in enhancing carbon capture and storage. According to the study, conducted by an international group of scientists, rewilding animal populations...

The United States of America and Tanzania jointly launched the Heshimu Bahari project on 4 April 2023. With initial funding of $8.4 million from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the five-year project aims to strengthen the...

Qatar's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, H E Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali Al Thani, emphasised the country's commitment to preserving biodiversity and protecting endangered species, including the hawksbill sea turtle. This...

Parents and students from pastoralist communities in Nasuulu, Oldonyiro, and Biliqo Bulesa Community Conservancies in Isiolo County, Kenya, have a reason to celebrate as the first-ever bursary fund from the sale of carbon credits was unveiled,...

The Australian government introduced a new Nature Repair Bill to parliament, which will issue tradable certificates to landholders who undertake activities to increase biodiversity and repair the environment. These certificates will be tracked on a...

A new study has shown that infrastructure development poses a significant threat to biodiversity and the habitats it depends on. Infrastructure, including residential and commercial development, transport, energy production, mining, and dams, is...

The Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA) has significant potential to perform a crucial role to the cross-stakeholder Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (IC-VCM). According to speakers at the Corporate Investments in Forestry and...

South Africa launched a new initiative that could be invaluable to researchers and scientists worldwide. The Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa (BBSA) has been created to coordinate and manage up to a million biological samples collected over the...

Carbon markets are heating up across the United States, with states increasingly seeking to curb their carbon footprint. Washington state is no exception. With new developments in carbon policy, carbon sequestration, and carbon offsetting,...