Doris Torres, a sheepherder in Colombia, has transformed from seeing Andean condors as enemies to becoming a conservationist, helping bring condors back to the mountains. Working with Fernando Castro, villagers have created a safe haven for condors, with plans to release young condors bred in captivity into the wild. The community is preparing for this next step, aiming to release at least three juveniles by the end of 2027. The Andean condor plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by cleaning decomposing meat and preventing diseases, and their population in Colombia is critically endangered. The section discusses the importance of integrating communities into condor conservation strategies in the Andean region, focusing on protecting and releasing young condors back into the wild to ensure their survival and well-being in their natural habitat.
Category: FALO & Nature-Based Carbon Removal
Cut Emissions & Remove Carbon:
– Shift Agriculture Practices
– Protect & Manage Ecosystems
– Biomass Carbon Removal & Storage
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How women farmers are helping elephants and forests in a Sumatran national park
Women farmers in the buffer zone of Tesso Nilo National Park in Sumatra are working to protect the park by planting citrus trees to deter elephants from destroying their crops. The Batang Nilo Women's Forest Farmer Group, Perbani, also empowers its members through gender equality classes and a savings-and-loans scheme. The group was granted Wanawiyata Widyakarya status for their successful conservation efforts. Perbani's efforts have been recognized by the government, earning them Wanawiyata Widyakarya status for their successful conservation initiatives. Despite challenges like illegal logging and land disputes, Perbani members remain committed to restoring the forest and sustaining ecosystems. The importance of empowering local groups and making big fundamental changes, such as securing women's land rights and ensuring gender equality in decision-making processes, is highlighted.
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‘To speak of agroecology is to speak of farmers’ autonomy’: Interview with Olga Muthambe
Olga Muthambe, a Mozambican social activist and Executive Director of the NGO Hikone Moçambique, advocates for agroecology as a response to challenges faced by rural women affected by extractive industries and armed conflict. Through her organization, over 1,600 women in Mozambique are participating in agroecological practice programs, empowering them to produce pesticide-free food for consumption and trade, improving food security, and generating income. Agroecology is highlighted as a key solution for sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and promoting farmers' autonomy. The organization focuses on empowering rural women facing social vulnerability and addresses issues such as displacement, expropriation of land, and labor exploitation by extractive industries, ultimately promoting food security and economic autonomy for women in Mozambique.
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Environmental News Network – Could Hawaiʻi’s Eucalyptus Forests Become a New Source of Building Materials?
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers are exploring the potential of Hawaiʻi-grown eucalyptus as a sustainable source of lumber for construction. The project aims to reduce the state's reliance on imported building materials and promote healthier forests. The research received a grant to establish engineering standards for eucalyptus use in structural applications. If successful, this initiative could benefit Hawaiʻi's forestry and wood products industries, while also reducing shipping costs, carbon emissions, and wildfire risks associated with importing lumber.
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Verra’s Rice Cultivation and Landfill Gas Methodologies Receive ICVCM Approval
Two Verra methodologies have been approved by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market, recognizing high-integrity carbon credits from improved water and crop management in rice paddies and from landfill gas capture projects. Both methodologies address methane emissions, with one focusing on adjusting water levels in flooded rice fields and the other on capturing and utilizing landfill gas. These solutions enable smallholder farmers in Asia to access carbon finance for transitioning to lower-emitting practices, while also enhancing food security and addressing greenhouse gas emissions from rice farming and landfills. Aligned with Core Carbon Principles, these methodologies aim to increase integrity in carbon credit projects.
https://verra.org/verras-rice-cultivation-and-landfill-gas-methodologies-receive-icvcm-approval/
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What Are Nature-Based Solutions and Why Are They Needed Now?
The ongoing restoration project of the L.A. River in California is an example of a nature-based solution that provides multiple benefits such as flood protection, habitat, recreation, and urban cooling. Nature-based solutions are cost-effective and more beneficial compared to traditional concrete infrastructure, addressing climate-related challenges in the state. Sustainable water management practices, including cropland repurposing and nature-based solutions like aquifer recharge and floodplain restoration, are emphasized to achieve water sustainability and adapt to climate change. Nature-based solutions also create local employment, address climate justice, and support science-based policies and actions in California, with funding from Proposition 4, the Climate Bond, for climate resilience and land repurposing efforts.
https://blog.ucs.org/angel-fernandez/what-are-nature-based-solutions-and-why-are-they-needed-now/
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CMI Update July 2026
Carbon Leader has launched a new capital allocation and risk engine for emissions-exposed organizations, while CEFC, Aviva Investors, and Gresham House have invested in a $142 million project for sustainable forestry in Tasmania. NRM Regions Australia is hiring a Strategic Engagement Lead, and ALFA NT has secured a landmark ACCU supply deal with NAB for Indigenous savanna burning projects. These developments highlight the growing focus on climate solutions, with investments in sustainable practices and partnerships for emissions reduction projects.
https://carbonmarketinstitute.org/2026/08/10/cmi-update-july-2026/
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The Nature Conservancy Celebrates 75 Years
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is dedicated to protecting beloved places through innovative and local solutions, such as their Site Renewables Right tool which guides clean-energy development globally with minimal biodiversity impact. They have also introduced financial mechanisms like coral reef insurance and Nature Bonds to fund conservation projects, as seen in their $78 million raised in Chile to protect 328,000 acres of land. This success highlights the importance of collaboration and local leadership in conservation efforts, showcasing TNC's commitment to effective climate solutions.
https://www.nature.org/en-us/magazine/magazine-articles/celebrating-75-years/
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Deploying biomass carbon removal and storage responsibly
Forest-based biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS) projects have the potential to remove 2.5–5 Gt of CO2 per year, but concerns exist around overstated climate impact, lack of lifecycle emissions accounting, and potential for deforestation. To ensure effectiveness, projects must adhere to rigorous standards and consider a variety of feedstocks, prioritizing biomass that would otherwise decompose quickly. Companies are also implementing carbon capture units at waste-to-energy plants to remove carbon emissions and convert industrial biowaste to bio-oil through hydrothermal liquefaction. Overall, properly designed BiCRS projects and bio-oil conversion initiatives can be scalable approaches to carbon removal in the next decade, driving significant carbon removal alongside emissions reductions.
https://frontierclimate.com/writing/deploying-bicrs-responsibly
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Philippines plans green energy auction for agrivoltaics, aquavoltaics
The Philippines is gearing up for its 9th green energy auction (GEA-9) focusing on agrisolar and aquasolar projects to maximize land and water resources while supporting food security and rural livelihoods. The Department of Energy is facilitating innovative projects that combine clean power generation with sustainable farming and fishing practices. As part of a larger plan to auction 25 GW of renewables by 2035, upcoming auctions will target rooftop solar, ground-mounted solar, floating solar, and off-grid areas served by the National Power Corporation. The country saw 899 MW of solar installed in 2025, bringing the total solar capacity to 3,892 MW.