Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Nature-Based Carbon Removal

Remove Carbon:
– Restore & Manage Ecosystems
– Shift Agriculture Practices
– Use Degraded Land
– Manipulate Biogeochemical Cycles

  • 10 Years of Regeneration and Beyond

    Regeneration International celebrated a decade of collective action and growth in their partner network, reaching over 700 organizations. They held their 5th Annual People's Food Summit, reaching 10 million people worldwide to discuss reshaping food systems. The movement expanded initiatives in Africa and Latin America, promoting healthy soils and food sovereignty. The PELUM Network in Southern and Eastern Africa marked 30 years of transformative work in agroecology and indigenous knowledge. Regeneration International also announced a Certificate Course on Agroecological, Regenerative, and Organic Agriculture in partnership with South Seas University. The Regeneration International Standard offers two certification pathways for farmers to transition to regenerative practices, focusing on principles, guidance, and continuous improvement. It prohibits synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, GMOs, and other harmful inputs. By supporting farmers through practical transition pathways, the standard aims to drive a global shift towards agriculture that regenerates soils, ecosystems, and communities. This is crucial in a world facing climate crises and soil degradation, where soil health is becoming an urgent priority for sustainable food production and rural economies.

    https://us.engagingnetworks.app/page/email/message/view?templateId=434990

  • California water district plans up to 21 GW of solar on fallowed farmland

    The Westlands Water District in California has adopted the Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan to develop up to 21 GW of solar generation on fallowed agricultural land in response to water shortages in the San Joaquin Valley. California law AB 2661 allows the district to repurpose the land for solar, storage, and transmission facilities, aiming to preserve agriculture viability and create economic opportunities for farmworkers. Stakeholder collaboration will be key in advancing project planning and implementation steps for this initiative, which seeks to address water scarcity while promoting sustainable solutions for the region's agricultural sector.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/05/california-water-district-plans-up-to-21-gw-of-solar-on-fallowed-farmland/

  • Plagued by Flooding, an African City Reengineers Its Wetlands

    Kigali, Rwanda is undergoing a citywide effort to rebuild nature-based infrastructure by restoring wetlands, creating wildlife corridors, parks, and bike lanes, and planting trees to address flooding issues exacerbated by climate change. The city has converted a degraded swamp into a functioning wetland, with plans to reforest hillsides and restore a larger wetland system to control floods, store carbon, and enhance biodiversity. The success of the Nyandungu Eco-Park pilot project has led to the restoration of five more degraded wetlands in the city, covering 1,200 acres. The Kigali Master Plan aims to restore and protect wetlands, while also monitoring social impacts and engaging with the local community to ensure the success of wetland restoration efforts. These efforts, including the planting of 3 million trees over five years, are crucial steps in adapting to the changing climate and reducing the impact of extreme weather events in Kigali.

    https://e360.yale.edu/features/kigali-rwanda-wetland-restoration

  • Messages of Hope and Regeneration for 2021

    A new agave-based agroforestry and livestock management system in Mexico is showing potential to regenerate drylands and alleviate rural poverty, emphasizing the importance of regenerative agriculture in addressing the climate emergency. The system highlights the benefits of native plants in trapping carbon, the return of bison to the Rosebud Reservation, and soil health practices for boosting profits. The launch of the Global Alliance for Organic Districts, supported by Regeneration International, aims to promote regenerative agriculture practices globally to revitalize local economies, restore soil fertility, nurture biodiversity, and mitigate climate change through individual donor funding.

    https://act.web-advocacy.net/page/25523/action/1

  • Converting a PhD into a global community, key learnings and roadmap – Shapeable interview

    Aaron Eger's PhD thesis chapter on Global Kelp Forest Restoration provides a comprehensive analysis of 259 restoration attempts in 16 countries over 60 years, laying the groundwork for the Kelp Forest Alliance. Founded by Eger, this alliance serves as a platform for scientific citations, member collaboration, and geo-mapping to support global efforts in kelp forest restoration. This research is crucial for climate solutions experts looking to address the decline of kelp forests and their role in carbon sequestration and marine biodiversity.

    https://kelpforestalliance.com/posts/converting-a-ph-d-into-a-global-community-key-learnings-and-roadmap-shapeable-interview

  • Syrian Refugees Built Solidarity Fields in Greece. Now They’re Bringing Organic Farming Home.

    Mahmoud Barhum, a Syrian farmer, has established a volunteer nursery to distribute organic seedlings for free in an effort to promote organic agriculture in Syria, where chemical inputs have dominated farming practices. Inspired by Solidarity Fields, an organic agricultural cooperative founded by Syrian refugees in Greece, Barhum aims to reclaim abandoned land, provide work for refugees, and improve soil health. Solidarity Fields in Syria, founded by returning displaced Syrians from Greece, is working to rebuild the agriculture industry through organic farming, offering free seedlings, funding wells, and providing training programs. The initiative is gaining momentum as more local farmers like Ahmed Mohammed transition to organic farming practices, seeing improved crop quality and higher prices for their produce, ultimately promoting sustainable agriculture and reducing reliance on chemical inputs in Syria.

    https://triplepundit.com/2025/solidarity-fields-organic-farming-syria-greece/

  • Agrivoltaic Company Okovate Acquires Stanford University & Carnegie Mellon Tech Startup

    Agrivoltaics, the combination of solar power plants with farmland, is gaining popularity in the solar power industry. Washington, DC-based company Okovate Sustainable Energy has acquired the assets of startup Fundusol to improve the planning and development of agrivoltaic projects. The acquisition allows Okovate to integrate a modeling platform developed at Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon, providing data-driven precision in co-locating solar energy and agriculture. The company's technology utilizes genetic algorithms and advanced data visualization to optimize solar array configurations for different crop types, aiming to strengthen the economic fabric of farming communities. Efforts are being made to increase the cost effectiveness and appeal of solar PV power in 2025, with plans to roll out more solar power on farmland across the United States and make additional announcements in 2026.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/29/agrivoltaic-company-okovate-acquires-stanford-university-carnegie-mellon-tech-startup/

  • How Mongabay’s journalism made an impact in 2025

    In 2025, Mongabay's journalism focused on empowering Indigenous and local communities by exposing illegal activities in the Amazon, highlighting conservation efforts in Colombia and Mexico, and collaborating with GI-TOC to combat illegal wildlife trade. Their reporting led to indictments and recommendations for bans on illegal practices in Brazil, as well as actions by organizations like WWF. With over 870 impacts logged throughout the year, Mongabay's work aims to hold powerful interests accountable and empower communities to defend their rights and ecosystems.

    https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2025/12/how-mongabays-journalism-made-an-impact-in-2025/

  • Mangrove News Digest # 640 – Dec. 27, 2025

    This Giving Tuesday, the focus is on restoring mangrove forests worldwide to combat climate change, protect coastlines, and support communities. Donations can make a lasting impact by helping to protect wildlife, empower coastal communities, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. Mangroves play a crucial role in climate solutions and their restoration is essential for a healthier planet.

    https://mangroveactionproject.org/2025/12/mangrove-news-digest-640-dec-27-2025/

  • ACCIONA Energía starts renewable supply from Logrosan plant in Caceres

    ACCIONA Energía's Logrosan biomass plant in Spain, with a capacity of 50 MW, is now supplying renewable energy and is expected to produce 380 GWh of electricity annually, avoiding over 187,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The plant primarily uses forestry residues for biomass, promoting active forest management to reduce wildfire risk. The project, awarded in a renewable energy auction, created over 400 construction jobs and will maintain 30 permanent roles, benefiting the local economy with revenue flowing back into the region. Additionally, the facility supports around 200 positions dedicated to land management and wildfire prevention, showcasing a comprehensive approach to sustainable energy production.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/acciona-energia-renewable-supply-logrosan-plant/