The Satoyama Mace Initiative approved a new framework, 'Biodiversity Methodologies for Biochar Utilization in Soil and Non-Soil Applications', in Taiwan on 2 June 2026. This framework, aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, allows agricultural producers to generate verifiable carbon assets from circular land management practices. It aims to lower financial and technical barriers for small-scale farmers to access carbon markets by simplifying monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) for biochar production from agricultural residues. The methodology enables farmers to secure new income streams from carbon storage and biodiversity protection, incentivising alternatives to open biomass burning.
Climeworks Solutions has signed a ten-year carbon dioxide removal (CDR) agreement with TD Bank, marking its first partnership with a Canadian financial institution. Climeworks will manage a diversified North American CDR portfolio for TD Bank, including enhanced rock weathering, biochar, and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage. This multi-technology approach aims to mitigate delivery and durability risks associated with single-project carbon accounting. The agreement establishes a precedent for multi-pathway corporate climate procurement within North American financial services, ensuring long-term carbon sequestration volumes for TD Bank. Climeworks will act as an institutional aggregator and portfolio manager, blending high-permanence biological and geochemical pathways with future direct air capture assets.
Verra has certified its first government-led, provincial-scale forest carbon programme in Misiones, Argentina, under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Programme’s Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ (JNR) Framework. The programme covers approximately 3 million hectares of native Atlantic Forest and generated an estimated 13.1 million tCO₂e in verified emission reductions between 2017 and 2022. This marks the first global certification using Scenario 2 of Verra’s JNR Framework, which allows governments to generate credits for forest areas not covered by individual projects. The certification establishes a replicable model for other national and subnational governments seeking to integrate climate policy, forest conservation, and international carbon markets. The programme is now registered on the Verra Registry.
The International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) has highlighted the urgent need for action to ensure the successful conclusion of CORSIA's first phase by the January 2028 compliance deadline. Airlines face an estimated 55.6 million tonnes of emission reduction obligations for 2024, with total Phase 1 obligations potentially reaching 200 million tonnes. As of May 2026, only 36 million tonnes of CORSIA-eligible supply are available from 10 countries and three standards, indicating a significant supply-demand gap. IETA emphasised that resolving legal and regulatory uncertainties, particularly host country authorisation of credits and national implementation of CORSIA, is crucial for market scale-up. The organisation noted that CORSIA's success is vital for multilateral climate cooperation, extending beyond aviation emissions alone.
A new study published in the International Journal of Construction Management demonstrates that injecting liquid biochar into targeted subsurface depths can store up to 41 kilograms of carbon in sandy soil. Researchers used computer simulations to assess how physical adjustments, such as injection depth and pressure, influence biochar distribution. The findings indicate that direct injection allows for precise placement of carbon-rich material within stable, deeper soil networks, ensuring long-term sequestration. Optimising the liquid mixture's solid content to 25% by weight was found to maximise distribution efficiency, as higher concentrations reduced fluid travel distance.
Carbon180 highlights the need for 'transformative investment' in carbon removal, moving beyond solely technical and commercial considerations. The organisation argues that current funding mechanisms, including venture capital, grants, and procurement agreements, primarily address technical feasibility and commercial scale. This approach often neglects community engagement, local stewardship, and long-term accountability, which are crucial for durable carbon removal interventions. Transformative investment aims to align funding with community needs, fostering trust, local value creation, and improved long-term project durability.
The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has launched research initiatives to develop agricultural biochar guidelines, led by Helene Larsson Jönsson. The project aims to transition biochar from a generalised soil amendment to a structured agronomic practice by evaluating varying material properties with different crop types in Sweden. This research seeks to provide standardised advice for farmers, addressing the variability in biochar properties and crop responses. A proposed funding model involves corporate entities financing biochar through carbon credits, enabling farmers to access the material without prohibitive upfront costs. The initiative also explores using sewage sludge biochar to recirculate phosphorus and minimise synthetic fertiliser reliance, supporting circular agricultural models.
Verra has opened new projects for public comment, inviting stakeholders to review whether they meet the requirements of its standards programmes. Comments received will be published on the Verra Registry and must be considered by the project proponent. This process ensures transparency and rigour in project registration, though Verra notes it has not yet reviewed the project descriptions. The public can access these projects via the 'Open Comment Period' tab on the Verra Registry.
Biochar markets must distinguish between long-term carbon stability and soil fertility benefits to ensure environmental credibility, according to Biochar Today. High-temperature biochar, processed above 700 degrees Celsius, offers carbon residence times exceeding 1,000 years but loses soil-enhancing properties. Conversely, low-temperature biochar, produced between 350 and 500 degrees Celsius, improves soil health but degrades faster. Current carbon trading systems often conflate these distinct characteristics, creating unrealistic expectations for single biochar products.
NoviqTech subsidiary Coralia commenced a field and pyrolysis trial in North Queensland, Australia, to convert invasive Chinese apple tree biomass into certified carbon dioxide removal assets. The programme, in partnership with Pyrocal, processes harvested biomass at varying temperatures to produce stable biochar. This initiative aims to transform an environmental liability into a verified carbon sink, with preliminary registry approval under Puro.earth methodology expected by September. The project establishes a pathway for institutional carbon credit generation and industrial utilisation, including low-carbon concrete research.
The International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) has released recommendations aimed at strengthening India's Article 6 framework. The recommendations focus on enhancing the country's participation in international carbon markets under the Paris Agreement. IETA's input seeks to provide guidance for developing robust mechanisms and policies for carbon credit trading. This initiative highlights ongoing efforts to integrate India more effectively into global carbon market structures. The recommendations were published on 28 May 2026.
The Gola Rainforest National Park in Sierra Leone is exhibiting early signs of wildlife recovery, including increased bird calls and primate activity, attributed to carbon financing initiatives. H.S. Sathya Chandra Sagar observed a 'symphony' of sounds, indicating a positive ecological shift within the park. This suggests that carbon financing is beginning to yield tangible environmental benefits in the region. The project aims to protect biodiversity while generating carbon credits.
Verra has initiated a public comment period for projects seeking registration across its standards programmes. This process allows the public to assess whether proposed projects meet programme requirements, with all comments published to the Verra Registry and requiring consideration by project proponents. The organisation states that project descriptions and associated documents have not yet undergone Verra's review. Stakeholders can access the list of projects open for comment via the Verra Registry's 'Open Comment Period' tab.
Verra has registered the first project under its VM0046 food loss and waste methodology, located in the United States. The 'Brightly – Reducing Food Loss and Waste' project (Verra Project 4711) aims to rescue approximately 167 million pounds of surplus food over its seven-year crediting period (2020–2027). This initiative is projected to generate around 115,118 tonnes of CO2e in emission reductions by preventing methane from landfill disposal. The methodology quantifies avoided emissions, enabling carbon credit generation to finance food rescue operations. Verra CEO Mandy Rambharos stated that the new methodology fills an important gap in climate mitigation efforts.
The US House Appropriations Committee passed its FY2027 Energy and Water Development bill, proposing substantial cuts to carbon management programmes within the Department of Energy. The bill allocates $700 million to the newly reorganised Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Office (HGEO), a reduction from the previous year's $720 million for the former Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) Office. Specific cuts include a 67% reduction to Carbon Dioxide Removal funding ($15 million) and a 30% cut to Carbon Utilization ($35 million). Additionally, the bill proposes reprogramming approximately $2.8 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) intended for carbon management initiatives, effectively eliminating programmes like the Carbon Dioxide Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation (CIFIA) Program.
Fred Teo, CEO of Singaporean climate investment platform GenZero, argued against 'false choices' in climate finance, such as nature versus technology or offsets versus decarbonisation. In a Carbon Exposure podcast, Teo stated that solving climate change requires pragmatic solutions to mobilise capital at scale. He emphasised viewing carbon markets as financing infrastructure for projects that would otherwise not occur. GenZero invests in technology, nature-based solutions, and carbon market infrastructure.
Verra announced on 18 May 2026 that new projects are open for public comment, a standard procedure to ensure transparency and rigour in its programmes. The organisation invites public feedback on whether these projects meet the requirements of their respective standards. All comments received will be published on the Verra Registry and must be considered by project proponents. Verra does not review project descriptions or other documents during this public comment phase.
Verra has introduced a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label for Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) generated by projects registered under its Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Programme. This label applies to credits from projects located on FSC Forest Management (FM) certified lands, ensuring transparency and adherence to both standards. The initiative, launched on 14 May 2026, aims to scale climate mitigation and sustainable development by enabling forest managers in FSC-certified areas to generate carbon credits. It signifies that these credits originate from forests managed under strict environmental, social, and economic standards, providing assurance to carbon market stakeholders. Project proponents must follow the requirements of both the VCS Programme and FSC to use the new label.
Verra has vetted Sylvera, Kanop, and Chloris Geospatial as approved data service providers (DSPs) for supplying stocking index (SI) data under its VM0047 Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) methodology. These DSPs will provide SI data to establish performance benchmarks for projects, streamlining registration and verification processes. Projects can now use these vetted third-party providers for standardised datasets generated via satellite imagery and AI. VM0047, which quantifies carbon removals using an area-based SI, has been approved by the ICVCM as meeting Core Carbon Principles criteria. Verra continues to accept expressions of interest from additional DSPs.
Gold Standard has partnered with Trovio to launch a next-generation Impact Registry, scheduled for Q4 2026, aimed at modernising the issuance, transfer, and retirement of Gold Standard carbon credits. The new platform, built on Trovio's CorTenX, will feature an API-first architecture to improve connectivity with national registries, exchanges, and marketplaces. It is designed to ensure full traceability, tamper-resistant auditability, and secure transaction management for environmental assets. This upgrade seeks to enhance transparency and interoperability across the voluntary carbon market without altering existing certification rules or processes. The initiative builds on Trovio's experience in environmental market registry infrastructure, including for the Australian Government.
Carbonmark has integrated the Klima Protocol to expand its supply-side onchain carbon liquidity, accessing over 300,000 tonnes of carbon credits on the Base blockchain. This collaboration aims to leverage Klima's open-source, rules-based market infrastructure for transparent and real-time execution of carbon credit retirements. The integration utilises Klima's pricing mechanism, which assigns prices to carbon credit classes based on project attributes, methodologies, and registries. It also incorporates Klima's Retirement Aggregator, a smart contract for automated payment and retirement routing. This move seeks to enhance the integrity, interoperability, and technological integration within the voluntary carbon market.
The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) has identified limitations in CCP-Approved methodologies for Southeast Asia, noting that current standards do not fully cover regionally relevant project types such as peatlands, wetlands, improved forest management, and avoided planned deforestation. Project developers in the region highlighted that global rules and methodologies often do not align with local ecological, regulatory, and cost realities. The ICVCM is engaging with regional stakeholders to understand these challenges and is encouraging the development and submission of new nature-based and technology-based methodologies. Sixteen CCP-Approved methodologies are currently applicable in Southeast Asia, including those for rice cultivation, clean cookstoves, sustainable agriculture, and ARR projects. The ICVCM is also examining how emerging project types, including transition-related activities, could be credibly quantified.
Verra has launched a public consultation on a revision to its VM0045 Improved Forest Management methodology, aiming to expand its applicability beyond the United States. The proposed update, version 1.3, would allow projects in other countries to use national forest inventories (NFIs) that meet established criteria for dynamic matched baselines. This revision seeks to enable broader use of dynamic baseline approaches for high-quality IFM projects globally, while maintaining transparency and comparability. The consultation runs from 12 May to 15 June 2026, and Verra will submit the revised methodology to ICVCM for assessment.
Verra announced on 11 May 2026 that new projects are open for public comment, inviting stakeholders to assess their compliance with programme requirements. The organisation publishes all received comments to the project record on the Verra Registry, obliging project proponents to consider them. This process ensures transparency and rigour within Verra's standards programmes. Project descriptions and associated documents are not reviewed by Verra prior to the public comment period.
The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) has approved two Verra methodologies, VMR0017 for grid-connected renewable energy and ACM0008 for coal mine methane abatement, as meeting its Core Carbon Principles (CCPs). This approval allows credits generated under these methodologies to carry the CCP label, signifying high integrity. VMR0017 covers wind, solar, geothermal, small-scale hydro, and wave or tidal power projects, while ACM0008 quantifies emission reductions from capturing methane at active and abandoned mines. The decision aims to increase the supply of high-integrity carbon credits from sectors where buyers are increasingly focused on quality.
The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) launched a public consultation on 5 May 2026, seeking feedback on a proposed rule architecture for its Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) and Assessment Framework. The consultation, open until 7 June 2026, aims to establish a structured, transparent, and predictable approach for interpreting and applying the CCPs without rewriting them. This framework will guide future regulatory instruments and address evolving market practices, science, and regulations. The ICVCM plans to develop the first specific instruments under this architecture from Q4 2026.
Finn O'Muircheartaigh, General Manager APAC at BeZero Carbon, discussed how carbon ratings, data, and risk analysis are making carbon credits an investable asset class. Speaking on the Carbon Exposure Podcast, O'Muircheartaigh highlighted the role of quality in driving pricing and attracting institutional capital to both voluntary and compliance carbon markets. He also addressed the growing significance of the Asia-Pacific region, particularly Singapore, as a carbon hub, and the potential impact of Article 6 on global demand and supply. The discussion covered how ratings support markets like Article 6 and CORSIA, and the potential of portfolio products to unlock new demand.
Gold Standard has updated four clean cooking and thermal energy methodologies and launched a digital stove monitoring tool, effective for all 2026 credit vintages onwards. The updates, which follow a public consultation, aim to align 34% of Gold Standard's current project portfolio with Paris Agreement accounting principles. These revisions establish a unified market framework for cooking interventions, from micro-scale to fully metered systems, enhancing environmental integrity and market viability. The methodologies include Reduced Emissions from Cooking and Heating (RECH) V5.0, Metered & Measured Energy Cooking Devices (MECD) V2.0, Simplified Methodology for Clean and Efficient Cookstoves (SMEC) V4.0, and Animal Manure Management and Biogas Use for Thermal Energy Generation (AWMS) V2.0.
A joint investigation by Carbon Market Watch and the Land Matrix Initiative found that a UN carbon market tool designed to promote sustainable development offers minimal protection to indigenous peoples and local communities. The report, published on 29 April 2026, concludes the tool is unlikely to safeguard these groups from projects infringing on their land or violating their human rights. This finding raises concerns about the social integrity of UN-backed carbon market mechanisms. The investigation suggests the current framework is insufficient to prevent negative impacts on marginalised communities.
Climate-vulnerable nations, including members of the CVF-V20, convened at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings to highlight their carbon market advancements. Bhutan launched a Carbon Market Information Platform to enhance transparency, while Ghana detailed projects expected to generate 17 million carbon credits. The Philippines adopted a Roadmap to Readiness for its Voluntary Forest Carbon Market and will host an ASEAN Carbon Market Forum in September 2026. Pakistan also announced its first carbon market deal, demonstrating a growing trend of climate-vulnerable countries actively building carbon market infrastructure.
Gold Standard initiated public consultations on five new and updated methodologies on 22 April 2026, including its first biochar carbon removal standard, Production and Application for the Removal of Carbon via Biochar (PARC). The PARC methodology establishes a pure carbon removal framework, issuing credits exclusively for durable CO2 sequestration and explicitly excluding avoided emissions. Other methodologies include an updated forestry framework, Sustainable Transformation Through Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (STARR), and frameworks for rice systems, efficient cookstoves, and water purification. These updates aim to enhance integrity, scalability, and alignment with the Paris Agreement, addressing evolving market expectations and scientific developments.
Ingo Puhl, co-founder of South Pole, discussed the evolution and future structure of carbon markets in a podcast interview. He highlighted lessons from the CDM boom and bust, the growing demand for sovereignty over carbon assets from developing countries, and the need for new market infrastructure. Puhl also explored how standards, registries, and verification models must evolve, citing Thailand as a blueprint for Article 6 innovation. The discussion covered the role of ratings agencies, satellite data, technology, and the potential for ASEAN as a major carbon market growth region.
Carbon180 has launched the Community-Informed, Open Access, Reviewed, and Evaluated (CORE) Carbon Removal Framework to guide responsible carbon removal. The framework outlines principles and practices for designing, implementing, and evaluating carbon removal interventions, focusing on community, climate, and environmental systems. CORE distinguishes between 'projects' and 'programmes', acknowledging that carbon removal work can encompass both site-specific projects and broader, regional initiatives. It also provides guidance on applying the framework to early-stage interventions and those not primarily designed for climate claims, treating principles as design questions rather than outcome requirements. The initiative aims to establish shared expectations for the nascent carbon removal field.
Microsoft has reportedly paused new carbon removal purchases, though the company has not publicly confirmed this development. Over the past five years, Microsoft's early and significant demand played a crucial role in developing the carbon removal market. However, government entities are now emerging as direct buyers, with the 2026 US federal spending law allocating approximately $116 million for carbon removal, including a federal purchasing programme. This shift indicates a move towards more durable, policy-driven demand for carbon removal beyond individual corporate buyers. Carbon180 noted that while private sector purchases were valuable for early scaling, policy is essential for achieving gigaton-scale carbon removal.
The VCMI has published an analysis suggesting high-integrity carbon markets can catalyse the transition to climate-resilient agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The region requires an annual investment of USD 160 billion through 2050, a 27-fold increase from current levels, to achieve this transition. While global climate finance for agrifood systems tripled to USD 94.9 billion between 2021 and 2022, only 5% (approximately USD 6 billion) reached LAC, despite agriculture accounting for 55% of its emissions. The VCMI advocates for a shift from fragmented project-by-project carbon credit generation to structured investment platforms, supported by government-led frameworks, to mobilise the necessary private finance.
Perumal Arumugam from the UNFCCC discussed the operationalisation of Article 6.4 (PACM) and its role in scaling climate finance and international carbon trading. The discussion covered the transition from the Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement, comparing Article 6.2 and 6.4, and anticipated supply and demand dynamics. Key topics included host country bottlenecks, the multilateral advantages of Article 6.4, and the outlook for registry infrastructure and interoperability towards 2030. Arumugam provided insights into the first issuances, CDM transition, and the project pipeline for new methodologies.
The Integrity Council's Continuous Improvement Work Program (CIWP) has published a report examining how to assess the integrity of transition credits, which are designed to incentivise the early retirement of fossil-fuel power plants. The report concludes that while transition credits represent a credible category, they require targeted guidance to ensure high integrity. Key recommendations include developing a robust definition of 'just transition', improving methodological clarity for risks like additionality and leakage, and ensuring host-country policy alignment. These findings will inform future development of the Core Carbon Principles (CCP) Assessment Framework for transition crediting approaches.
The Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) and the Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) launched a guide on 30 March 2026 for policymakers to establish regulatory sandboxes for carbon market innovations. Titled 'Regulatory Sandbox to Support Carbon Markets: A How-To Guide for Regulators and Policymakers on Testing Carbon Market Innovations', the guide aims to help governments trial regulatory approaches before codifying them into law. Supported by FSD Africa, the initiative seeks to address structural challenges in carbon markets, such as inconsistent credit quality and regulatory uncertainty. The guide provides a step-by-step framework for designing and implementing these sandboxes, applicable across various carbon market segments and technologies. It was launched in Lagos, Nigeria, during a training event hosted by FSD Africa.
Gold Standard and ATEC Global issued the first fully digitised cookstove carbon credits, using 100% digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (dMRV) traceable on the Hedera Guardian public ledger. The 'eCook Bangladesh' project employed IoT-SIMs on all devices for real-time data collection, audited by Earthood, leading to an initial issuance of 1,667 tonnes of emission reductions. This dMRV approach aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and trust in carbon markets by providing continuous, independently auditable data. The credits were issued on the Gold Standard Impact Registry, with a non-tradeable digital twin on Hedera. This issuance represents 75% of the verified volume under Gold Standard's Interim Issuance Track, with the remainder to be released after full verification.
Japan Airlines, supported by Shell, completed the first large-scale retirement of Gold Standard carbon credits for Phase 1 of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). The transaction involved 180,000 credits from two cookstove projects: 130,000 from the Biomass Energy Conservation Programme in Malawi (GS11677) and 50,000 from Efficient and Clean Cooking for Households in Tanzania (GS11732). This follows a smaller retirement by Skyservice Business Aviation in February, indicating substantive airline compliance activity is underway. Gold Standard has labelled nearly two million credits as CORSIA-eligible for Phase 1, with further retirements expected ahead of the January 2028 compliance deadline.