Sustainability and carbon market news

All 27 European Union countries must submit draft National Restoration Plans to the European Commission by 1 September 2026. The deadline marks an early milestone under the Nature Restoration Regulation, Europe's first continent-wide law to set...

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 Philippines has adopted a national policy for nature-based solutions (NbS), establishing a framework to scale ecosystem restoration across the country and naming carbon finance among its funding sources. Local community members planting mangrove...

Brazil’s federal government is making $3 billion (BRL 16.5 billion) in subsidised funds available to banks under the second phase of its EcoInvest programme, aiming to restore 1.4 million hectares of degraded land nationwide. The funding will act as...

Brazil has announced a significant new push in its ongoing Amazon Restoration programme, opening a $26 million (BRL150 million) public call to fund reforestation projects in Indigenous territories. This marks the third such call since the...

Australian land restoration firm Covalent Land is preparing to undertake the largest Environmental Plantings (EP) project in the country’s history, with plans to reforest 3,000 hectares in 2025. This marks a new milestone for carbon farming in...

The global carbon credit market is projected to experience significant growth starting in 2025, according to a new report by MSCI. The market, valued at $1.5 billion in 2024, is forecast to surge to $35 billion by 2030 and potentially reach $200...

A recent report—The opportunity for carbon markets in ASEAN—highlights Southeast Asia’s potential to lead global carbon markets, unlocking $3 trillion in value and creating 13.7 million jobs by 2050. Some key ASEAN projects are located in...

Triodos Bank has announced a bold commitment to invest €500 million in nature-based solutions by the end of the decade. This initiative, revealed on Tuesday, aligns with the Dutch bank’s broader goals of enhancing biodiversity and addressing...

The UN's Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved over $1 billion in funding for 16 new projects targeting environmental resilience in 37 developing nations. This commitment, announced after the GCF board meeting this week, marks a milestone in the...

The European Union has enacted the Nature Restoration Law, a groundbreaking regulation aimed at reversing the degradation of ecosystems across the continent. Effective from 18 August, the law sets binding targets for restoring ecosystems crucial for...

Bursa Carbon Exchange (BCX), a subsidiary of Bursa Malaysia Bhd, successfully conducted its inaugural Malaysian carbon credit auction on 25 July. This significant event featured carbon credits from the Kuamut Rainforest Conservation Project in...

Suriname has announced its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), aligning with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). This comprehensive plan emphasises increased funding for conservation and restoration,...

The UK Coal Authority, tasked with managing the nation's coal mining legacy, has unveiled a nature recovery plan, aiming to integrate nature-related credits into its financial models by 2026. Wildlife photography of Puffins on Skomer Island in...

Uganda, renowned for its rich biodiversity, has launched the second phase of the Biodiversity 2030 (BIODEV2030) project, aiming to curb the alarming rate of biodiversity loss in the country. The project, supported by the French Development Agency...

Social Carbon, an evolving carbon standard, has announced plans to roll out a new 'nature stewardship credit' methodology by the third quarter of this year. The pioneering initiative, set to launch its first pilot in 2025, is developed in...

Aviva has embarked on a transformative partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), pledging nearly $4 million to enhance conservation and nature-based carbon removal initiatives across Canada. This investment, spread over seven years,...

The Isle of Man is stepping up its environmental conservation efforts with the introduction of a groundbreaking carbon credit programme. Managed by the Manx Wildlife Trust, this initiative is the first of its kind on the island and is set at...

Businesses are increasingly eager to invest in environmental action, seeking more reliable carbon markets, as shown by a recent study by the We Mean Business Coalition, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), and Bain & Company. Over 180 executives and...

The UK government has earmarked $31 (£25) million to rejuvenate natural habitats, covering an expanse as vast as the city of York. This financial injection will bolster 20 initiatives dedicated to the revival of various ecosystems, including...

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has introduced a groundbreaking rule requiring publicly traded companies to report their direct carbon emissions. This decision, supported by a 3–2 vote, is part of a broader initiative titled The...

DGB Group, a leading nature-based project developer, announced the upcoming launch of its biodiversity credit pilot project in Australia and a plastic credit initiative in Sri Lanka, marking significant milestones in its journey towards...

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is taking significant strides in environmental action by focusing on emissions reduction beyond the corporate value chain. On 28 February, the SBTi, in a joint effort with The Committee for Development...

Vietnam has stepped into the lucrative carbon credit market with the potential to generate an impressive $200 million each year, according to estimates by the Department of Forestry. This revenue is expected to come from the sale of approximately 40...

In a landmark decision, the European Union has committed to reviving its natural landscapes and marine areas with a new law mandating the restoration of 20% of its territory by 2030. The legislation, which received backing from the EU Parliament,...

Microsoft is to acquire 350,000 carbon credits (carbon units) from a Kenyan agroforestry project. This collaboration, spanning six years, underscores the tech giant's commitment to becoming carbon negative by 2030. The initiative utilises...

The US Department of Interior has unveiled a substantial commitment of $157 million for ecosystem restoration projects, aligning with the goals of President Joe Biden's Investing in America agenda. This funding is directed towards nationwide...

London-based emerging markets investment management firm Spinnaker Capital has taken a significant stride into the realm of environmental initiatives. In a strategic move announced last year, the company invested in carbon finance innovator Respira...

The landscape for nature-based solutions is witnessing a surge in demand and scale, drawing the attention of prominent institutional investment managers, according to a recent academic paper from the University of Oxford's Environmental Change...

In a recent survey conducted by the UN-backed Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA), companies have identified nature targets as a pivotal driver in the demand for biodiversity credits. Rated nearly four out of five in importance, companies see the...

Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a significant announcement at the COP28 conference in Dubai, declaring the United States' commitment to contribute $3 billion to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This marks the first US pledge to the fund since...

In the captivating realm of BBC’s Planet Earth III, narrated by the iconic Sir David Attenborough, the spotlight falls on the extraordinary journey of the Bulindi chimpanzees in Uganda. Having premiered on 19 November 2023, this episode explores the...

In collaboration with MSA Green Projects, Oman's Environment Authority launched the Oman Blue Carbon project. The goal is to plant 100 million mangrove trees, aligning with the National Zero Carbon Strategy 2050. This venture anticipates the removal...

Singapore-based company KinRoss is teaming up with its Mongolian partner, Clean BotanEco, to address the severe soil degradation issues in Mongolia, where deforestation and intensive agriculture have left nearly 80% of the land resembling deserts....

Thousands of hectares of peatlands across England are set to undergo restoration, thanks to the UK government’s £16 million investment in 12 new projects. This initiative aims to address climate impacts and biodiversity loss. The government's total...

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...

Costa Rica is a hub for ecotourism and attracts visitors from around the world interested in exploring its lush jungles and diverse wildlife. However, in the 1980s, Costa Rica had one of the highest deforestation rates in the world. In response to...

Scientists estimate that boreal forests store twice as much carbon per area compared to tropical forests due to their size. Boreal forests cover 17% of land compared to tropical rainforests that cover 6%. It is essential to give these forests the...