Australia is planning a new Great Koala National Park in New South Wales to address the decline of koalas due to habitat fragmentation, deforestation, and climate change impacts. The park aims to provide connected habitat for koalas and other threatened species, emphasizing the importance of managing whole landscapes to ensure ecological connections and habitat functionality. Conservationists support the park proposal but warn of challenges such as logging pressure and weak enforcement, highlighting the crucial need for connectivity between forest remnants for species to move and adapt to changing conditions.
Category: FALO & Nature-Based Carbon Removal
Cut Emissions & Remove Carbon:
– Shift Agriculture Practices
– Protect & Manage Ecosystems
– Biomass Carbon Removal & Storage
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Carbon Removal and Methane Reduction from Eutrophic Systems
Harmful Algal Blooms, driven by human activities and warming waters, lead to ecosystem degradation and methane emissions. A new methodology has been developed to quantify climate benefits from HAB mitigation in various eligible systems, ensuring durability and environmental integrity through conservative baselines, strict safeguards, and deferred crediting. This methodology combines short-term intervention with long-term monitoring to ensure real, measurable, and verifiable carbon removal and avoidance. Key features include dual crediting pathways, strong permanence safeguards, robust MRV, operational flexibility, conservative accounting, and high-impact co-benefits.
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New metric assesses innovation readiness in agrivoltaics
The Agrivoltaic Innovation Index (AII) developed by researchers at Firat University evaluates research-driven innovation in agrivoltaics across four dimensions and distinguishes innovation readiness from general research performance. European and East Asian nations rank higher in AII tiers, while countries in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and parts of South and Southeast Asia exhibit lower overall AII values due to weak diffusion mechanisms and collaboration structures. The AII can help governments identify gaps in technology and knowledge sharing to create policies addressing weaknesses in research, with countries like Burkina Faso, Benin, Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, and Niger showing high AII scores despite fewer published papers, indicating focused projects addressing urgent local needs. These nations could benefit from international cooperation and support to further develop agrivoltaic innovation clusters.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/05/22/new-metric-assesses-innovation-readiness-in-agrivoltaics/
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Digital Rice Emission Avoidance Methodology (DREAM)
Gold Standard has introduced the Digital Rice Emission Avoidance Methodology (DREAM) to address the challenges of sustainable rice production for smallholder farmers. DREAM utilizes a tech-forward framework with a bifurcated verification pathway, using Satellite Digital MRV for smallholders and direct physical measurements for large-scale estates. The methodology includes safeguards such as the "Flowering Lock" and weather adjustments to protect crop yields and prevent over-crediting during natural droughts, as well as labor safeguards for vulnerable farming communities. Feedback on DREAM is welcomed until 22 May 2026, aiming to democratize access to carbon finance while maintaining environmental integrity in rice production.
https://www.goldstandard.org/consultations/digital-rice-emission-avoidance-methodology-dream
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African cities use nature to fight floods and climate change
Cities in Africa like Addis Ababa, Kigali, and Johannesburg are implementing nature-based solutions to combat the impacts of climate change, such as flooding and heatwaves. Initiatives like reintroducing indigenous tree species, creating green corridors, and restoring wetlands are not only improving resilience but also restoring biodiversity and creating green jobs. Projects like the SUNCASA initiative in Johannesburg and Dire Dawa are showing the effectiveness of nature-based solutions in urban planning, reflecting a broader shift towards more adaptive and sustainable growth models. By investing in landscapes that serve multiple functions, African cities are building resilience and thriving in the face of a changing climate.
https://www.preventionweb.net/news/african-cities-use-nature-fight-floods-and-climate-change
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Morocco’s whole-of-government approach to climate policy in action
Morocco has prioritized climate change on its policy agenda, adopting a "whole-of-government" approach with support from the World Bank Group. The country is focusing on clean energy transition to address climate impacts on jobs, particularly in rural areas reliant on agriculture. Aligning its 2025 NDCs with the 2026-2028 budget, Morocco is implementing Climate Budget Tagging and other initiatives like greening public procurement and developing Green Sovereign Bonds. Despite challenges in policy implementation, collaboration with international partners is helping turn climate ambition into an executable roadmap.
https://www.preventionweb.net/news/moroccos-whole-government-approach-climate-policy-action
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Intelligent solar siting neutralizes local opposition at near-zero cost
A new study published in Geography and Sustainability presents a geospatial modeling framework that shows utility-scale solar buildouts can avoid critical ecological habitats with minimal impact on project economics. Researchers from Cornell University, The Nature Conservancy, and other institutions used New York State as a case study to analyze land-use priorities for decarbonization. The study found that prioritizing biodiversity, agriculture preservation, or cost minimization led to different regional trade-offs in land use. By utilizing dual-criterion macro-siting algorithms, asset managers can reduce risks in pipeline development and present optimized spatial configurations to overcome NIMBY resistance. This suggests that smart macro-siting can mitigate local opposition and environmental degradation at a minimal cost premium, leading to more just and ecologically responsible energy transitions.
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European Energy begins work Italy’s 225.5MW agrivoltaic project
European Energy is constructing a 225.5MW agrivoltaic project in Sicily, Italy, under Italy's FER X Transitional Contract for Difference auction scheme. The facility is projected to generate 405GWh of electricity annually, powering 135,000 households by integrating solar energy generation with agricultural practices like sheep grazing and reforestation. With a focus on long-term revenue stability and integrated land-use solutions, European Energy aims to develop robust renewable energy projects. The company's strong development pipeline in Italy has attracted significant investor interest in large-scale renewable energy projects.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/european-energy-begins-work-italys-agrivoltaic-project/
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The Race to Regenerate: Why the Tipping Point for Nature Positive Agriculture Is a Business Problem, Not a Farming Problem
Oatly has set ambitious goals to transition to regenerative agriculture, aiming for 30% of global supply by 2030, 90% by 2040, and 100% by 2050. The company emphasizes the importance of shifting towards regenerative agriculture within supply chains and at the landscape level, highlighting the need for greater corporate transparency and farmer involvement in decision-making. These steps are crucial for the success of the transition towards more sustainable agricultural practices.
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First bank-backed regenerative agriculture programme launched for South African farmers
South African commercial farmers have the opportunity to earn supplementary income through a new bank-backed carbon credit programme that promotes regenerative agriculture practices. This initiative provides financial incentives for farmers to adopt more sustainable farming methods, potentially reducing their carbon footprint and contributing to overall climate solutions. By participating in the programme, farmers can play a significant role in mitigating climate change while also benefiting financially from their efforts.