Two new solar-powered level crossings have been unveiled as part of the Inland Rail freight rail link project in northern New South Wales, marking a significant advancement for the country's rail network. By utilizing solar and battery power, the project avoids the need for grid-connected electricity, reducing the impact on local communities and the environment. The Australian Rail Track Corporation plans to deploy more solar-powered systems along the alignment once Inland Rail becomes operational. The article also emphasizes the importance of addressing climate change to mitigate the impacts of rising sea levels on coastal communities, highlighting the need for adaptation strategies such as building seawalls and restoring wetlands.
Category: FALO & Nature-Based Carbon Removal
Cut Emissions & Remove Carbon:
– Shift Agriculture Practices
– Protect & Manage Ecosystems
– Biomass Carbon Removal & Storage
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Solar sheep grazing delivers margins up to 40% in new study
Agrivoltaic sheep grazing models in Ontario have been found to outperform traditional farming, offering higher margins and dual revenue streams from livestock and solar site services. The co-location of sheep grazing and solar PV arrays, known as agrivoltaics, provides a robust solution to the tightening profit margins of modern agriculture. Research by Western University indicates that these integrated business models offer a hedge against market volatility, with performance metrics consistently exceeding the broader agricultural industry's average EBITDA margin. The study explores two operational strategies – a year-round "Breeding Model" and a seasonal "Auction Model" – both of which show high financial stability and return on investment. The dual-revenue nature of the business, vegetation management fees from solar asset owners, and the technical superiority of sheep for vegetation control under solar panels contribute to the economic and environmental benefits of agrivoltaic systems. This approach could also help address trade imbalances in the meat industry, boost the rural economy by $170 million, create specialized agricultural jobs, enhance local food security, and preserve farmland while ensuring the financial resilience of family farms in the long term.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/26/solar-sheep-grazing-delivers-margins-up-to-40-in-new-study/
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Passing the Current
The Misool Marine Reserve in Indonesia, known for its high marine biodiversity, has seen improvements in coral reefs thanks to the coral restoration work led by the Misool Foundation. Through training local communities in coral planting techniques, the foundation has empowered villagers and students to become stewards of the reef, creating a self-sustaining network dedicated to marine conservation. By embedding conservation practices within the community, the foundation is ensuring the long-term protection of the marine ecosystem. As school students from nearby villages practice these techniques, they are preparing to be future guardians of the reef, contributing to the ongoing efforts to restore and protect the marine environment.
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Unpacking the Belem-Addis Vision for Africa’s Climate Adaptation – PACJA – Panafrican Climate Justice Alliance
Progress was made at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, with countries agreeing on global indicators for climate adaptation under the Global Goal on Adaptation and launching the Belem-Addis Vision. Experts emphasized the need for clearer frameworks, increased finance, and stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure funds reach vulnerable communities, highlighting the importance of healthy ecosystems, community-led adaptation, and addressing food security. Calls were made for increased financing in the agriculture sector, with a focus on grant-based finance, locally driven solutions, and investment in technology and agroecological practices. Water was highlighted as crucial for adaptation, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where millions lack basic services, and closing this gap is seen as essential for effective climate adaptation and broader development as COP32 in Addis Ababa approaches.
https://pacja.org/unpacking-the-belem-addis-vision-for-africas-climate-adaptation/
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Why Nature-Based Investments Produce Results
Nature-based solutions are crucial for climate mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity protection, with the UN Environment Program calling for increased investment to $571 billion annually by 2030. These investments not only have the potential to lift people out of poverty, create jobs, and boost the economy but also prevent climate change damages. Financial institutions are recognizing the risks of nature loss and are incorporating nature-based investments to enhance long-term financial performance. To make nature-based investment a viable asset class, transparency, predictability, auditability, and alignment with global standards are necessary, as emphasized by participants in a workshop focusing on systemic change and transformative integration of nature-based solutions.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/25/why-nature-based-investments-produce-results/
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India sets green electricity, tree-planting and emissions targets
India has unveiled new climate goals to cut carbon intensity, expand clean electricity capacity, and increase carbon sinks. The targets include reducing greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by 47% by 2035, increasing non-fossil fuel sources to 60% of electricity generation capacity by 2035, and setting goals for carbon sinks. Analysts have mixed reactions, with some saying the targets are too easy to meet while others praise India's efforts. The country aims to achieve these targets through its booming clean energy industry and the growth of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. India aims to increase its carbon sink through trees and forests by 3.5-4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035 from 2005 levels, with experts highlighting the country's commitment to nature-based solutions and existing forest-growing programs. India's success in meeting climate goals is seen as a signal of integrity and commitment, with potential for further acceleration if adequate climate finance is provided by developed nations.
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What We’re Reading: Lessons From the ‘Grandmother Cacao’
In India's Western Ghats, a 65-year-old cacao tree is thriving thanks to successful agroforestry and "bio-control" techniques developed by a microbiologist couple. By using beneficial microbes to prevent the growth of pathogens, the farm is able to maintain soil health and produce organic cocoa. With increasing heat and rainfall threatening cacao trees with fungal and bacterial infestations, these innovative solutions are crucial for sustainable agriculture. This success story highlights the importance of climate-resilient practices in the face of changing environmental conditions.
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/what-were-reading-lessons-from-grandmother-cacao/
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Saint Louis University’s Vasit Sagan and Derek Tesser on mapping cattle emissions
Vasit Sagan and Derek S. Tesser from Saint Louis University's Remote Sensing Lab are leading the Climate TRACE coalition's efforts to map cattle operations globally and track methane and nitrous oxide emissions from pastures and feedlots. Livestock emissions are a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, but also offer potential for emissions reductions and carbon sequestration. The use of technology and modeling is being combined to map cattle emissions, with a focus on detecting and mapping concentrated animal feeding operations and manure lagoons. The Climate TRACE project is prioritizing high-emission regions for mapping cattle production to understand the climate impact, using remote sensing, geospatial models, and AI to fill data gaps and achieve environmental integrity, economic viability, and equity across regions and communities.
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MAGA Influencers Love Solar Power, And So Does Elon Musk
Right wing pundits Katie Miller and KellyAnne Conway, along with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, have shown support for solar power. The US Department of Agriculture plays a significant role in administering grants and loan guarantees for farmers to save on energy costs through solar projects, with the REAP initiative providing opportunities for wind and solar power since 2002. However, under the Trump administration, there was a freeze on REAP disbursements, leading to a loss of over $1 billion in funds, and new restrictions imposed by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins limited opportunities for farmers. Tennessee has lost 9% of its farmland over a 20-year period, primarily due to real estate development, not solar industry growth, prompting the establishment of a $25 million fund to buy conservation easements from farmers. Trump has approved large solar projects in Nevada, with a push for solar power by conservative influencers and stakeholders in the AI industry, while Elon Musk plans to add 100 gigawatts of solar to the US grid and boost domestic solar manufacturing.
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Unlocking Nature for Disaster Resilience: A Policy Guide to Enable Nature-Based Solutions
Nature-based solutions (NBS) offer countries a way to tackle climate challenges through resilience and disaster risk reduction (DRR), with traditional conservation and restoration practices falling under this umbrella if they prioritize human well-being. NBS can serve as a cost-effective alternative to gray infrastructure, offering multiple benefits and job opportunities. To successfully implement NBS, supportive policy frameworks are crucial, emphasizing ecosystem-based approaches that align with broader development objectives.