West Africa Blue has chosen Verra for their carbon offset project in Sierra Leone, with plans to sell carbon credits by the end of 2026. The project involves 124 communities and includes a 50-year agreement with revenue sharing and transparency. NGO Namati has helped guide community discussions and will monitor the project to ensure compliance with agreements. Critics raise concerns about the potential negative impacts of offset projects on local communities and the reputation of polluting corporations. Residents of Sherbro in Sierra Leone are cautiously optimistic about the Sherbro River Estuary Project, hopeful for the success and benefits of this new project despite past disappointments with foreign-led interventions.
Category: FALO & Nature-Based Carbon Removal
Cut Emissions & Remove Carbon:
– Shift Agriculture Practices
– Protect & Manage Ecosystems
– Biomass Carbon Removal & Storage
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Ethiopian youth groups restore Rift valley lake & livelihoods
Local youth groups in Ethiopia's Abijata-Shalla National Park, supported by Wetlands International, are actively engaged in restoring the ecosystem through sustainable land management practices. The degradation of the park, exacerbated by climate change, is being addressed through initiatives focused on restoring degraded areas, implementing bylaws, and creating sustainable livelihoods for the local community. The project, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, has shown visible improvements in tree cover, reduced erosion, and increased water levels in the lake. By integrating local bylaws and traditional governance systems, the project aims to ensure lasting ownership within the community and prevent erosion of conservation results. Women play a significant role in the restoration efforts, contributing to the recovery of the landscape and ensuring long-term protection of the land.
https://news.mongabay.com/2025/12/ethiopian-youth-groups-restore-rift-valley-lake-livelihoods/
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Project sees long-term success restoring forests in the high Andes: Study
Successful restoration projects in the high-altitude Polylepis forests of Peru, such as those led by Instituto de Montaña, ECOAN, and Accion Andina, have shown the importance of stakeholder participation, conservation agreements, and community engagement. These projects focus on protecting existing forests, improving water security, and restoring degraded pastures and forests through sustainable management practices. By working closely with local communities, including Indigenous Quechua people, these initiatives have not only benefited ecosystems and biodiversity but also enhanced community livelihoods and pride in the restored forests. The long-term goal is to restore 1 million hectares of native Andean forests by 2045, requiring ongoing commitment from donors and a community-led approach rooted in Inca customs of communal work and pride.
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Environmental News Network – Spray-on Antibacterial Coating Offers New Protection for Plants Against Disease and Drought
Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a spray-on polymer coating to help plants resist bacterial infections and survive drought, which could strengthen global food security. Bacterial infections are a growing threat to agriculture, causing major crop losses worldwide. Rising temperatures are allowing pathogens to expand into new regions, increasing crop exposure to infections. Researchers developed an antibacterial coating that can be sprayed directly onto plant leaves to combat this challenge, offering a promising solution to enhance crop resilience and food production in the face of climate change.
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US Misses The Offshore Wind Boat And Aquaculture, Too
The US offshore wind industry faced setbacks under President Trump, but projects in Rhode Island, New York, and Virginia are still moving forward. Chile is emerging as a leader in offshore wind energy, with collaborations with Norway and Denmark. The aquaculture industry in Chile is benefiting from clean power solutions, including offshore wind turbines and floating solar technology. These sustainable energy sources are reducing diesel consumption, lowering costs, and improving working conditions for workers in the aquaculture industry. Offshore wind and solar companies are exploring opportunities in aquaculture, with projects in Chile and China combining renewable energy with fish farming. China's Fuxi 1 offshore facility, powered by wind turbines, can farm multiple species of fish, crustaceans, and algae simultaneously. In Norway, a project is assessing the co-location of aquaculture and offshore wind turbines, with benefits including reduced risk of sea lice and oxygen deficiency for fish health. Research shows that offshore wind farms can enhance ecosystem productivity and create a more complex food web, supporting marine ecosystems. The collaboration between offshore wind stakeholders and the global aquaculture industry is highlighted, with mentions of missed opportunities in the US and new developments in Sweden.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/22/us-misses-the-offshore-wind-boat-and-aquaculture-too-shocker/
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Offshore wind turbines create all-you-can-eat havens where some fish can double in size
A new study found that offshore wind farms can lead to larger fish species and increased complexity in the oceanic food chain due to the rough surfaces of turbine monopiles and submarine cables providing new habitats for marine organisms. The presence of wind turbines created a different marine environment with positive attributes, such as increased biomass of benthic fish and sessile organisms colonizing the structures. Additionally, the wind farm acted as a no-take zone, serving as a marine protected area for commercially targeted species and contributing to a more stable, diverse, and functionally intact ocean life compared to areas without turbines. While there are risks associated with exploration and construction, the study suggests that wind farms can have positive impacts on marine ecosystems by providing new habitats and increasing food availability for marine life.
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Will Sustainable Aviation Ever Take Off?
Christina Beckmann discusses the impact of air travel on the climate and suggests being mindful of where and why you travel, supporting local economies, and considering more efficient flight options. She also mentions the Tomorrow's Air project for carbon removal. Greg Dalton highlights the importance of considering trains as an alternative to flying. The conversation emphasizes the need to address transitions in society to decarbonize aviation and combat the climate emergency.
https://www.climateone.org/audio/will-sustainable-aviation-ever-take
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The levers for a sustainable food system
The article outlines a food system transformation pathway that can help limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius while improving health, environment, and social inclusion. This pathway involves changes in food production, consumption, and waste management, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved nutrition, and increased food security. Sustainable agriculture practices and dietary shifts are emphasized as key components in achieving climate goals and benefiting human health and well-being.
https://www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/latest-news/the-levers-for-a-sustainable-food-system
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Big Year for Regeneration!
A group of farmers, food activists, and climate activists from North and South America gathered in Santiago, Chile under the banner of Regeneration International to develop a common strategy to address climate change and other pressing issues. Despite the cancellation of the COP25 in Santiago, they continued their efforts in Madrid, representing Regeneration International and fostering partnerships. The Chilean delegation of Regeneration International at COP25 is calling for a focus on four key points to expand regenerative solutions and restore global climate stability in time, including the importance of agroecology in combating climate change. Additionally, an agroecological seed company in Argentina, Constelación Semillas Agroecológicas, was highlighted as the affiliate of the month for their monumental achievements in sustainable agriculture. Chile will no longer host COP, raising questions about the future of climate action in the country.
https://act.web-advocacy.net/page/15700/action/1?locale=en-US
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Environmental News Network – UC San Diego Launches Soil Health Center to Advance Climate Solutions, Food Security
The University of California San Diego has established the UC San Diego Soil Health Center at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in Southern California, dedicated to advancing climate solutions through soil health research, education, and outreach. The center's focus is on building and maintaining soil health to mitigate climate change, enhance food security, and boost societal resilience. By bringing together experts from different fields, the center aims to drive sustainable technology innovations, such as creating a natural soil probiotic to enhance plant growth and increase carbon storage in the soil.