Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Nature-Based Carbon Removal

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

  • Solutions to climate change: Johan Rockström on rainforest conservation

    Healthy forests, including the Amazon rainforest, are losing their ability to store carbon due to factors like forest fires, disease outbreaks, and unsustainable timber extraction. Rising temperatures and water scarcity are further limiting their capacity to absorb carbon, with tropical deforestation at unacceptably high levels. The Amazon rainforest is close to a tipping point where it may not recover, impacting Indigenous communities and neighboring areas. Conservation efforts, like those of Cool Earth, and providing unconditional cash to those protecting the rainforest are crucial solutions to prevent further deforestation and support responsible stewardship. Supporting Indigenous communities in the Amazon, Papua New Guinea, and the Congo is essential to prevent irreversible degradation and maintain the crucial role rainforests play in climate solutions.

    https://www.coolearth.org/news/johan-rockstrom-solutions-to-climate-change-rainforest-interview/

  • The king of the Andes: How a village learned to coexist with condors

    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.

    https://news.mongabay.com/video/2026/08/the-king-of-the-andes-how-a-village-learned-to-coexist-with-condors/

  • ‘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.

    https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/to-speak-of-agroecology-is-to-speak-of-farmers-autonomy-interview-with-olga-muthambe/

  • 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.

    https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/how-women-farmers-are-helping-elephants-and-forests-in-a-sumatran-national-park/

  • 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/

  • 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/

  • 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

  • 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/

  • Higher Yields in Regenerative and Organic Agriculture Based on the Science of Agroecology

    Toxic synthetic pesticides and soluble chemical fertilizers are damaging our health and the environment, leading to chronic diseases, decline of species, pollution, and dead zones in oceans. The myth that we need to poison our food and environment to avoid starvation is debunked by regenerative and organic agriculture based on agroecology science. This approach is not only healthier and more sustainable, but also economically viable with lower input costs. Peer-reviewed studies show the harmful effects of pesticides, especially on children, and the benefits of using organic matter for biogas production to boost crop yields. The importance of promoting regenerative agriculture and land-use practices to address climate change is emphasized, as these practices can provide nutritious food, revitalize local economies, regenerate soil fertility, nurture biodiversity, and restore climate stability. By reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and sequestering carbon in the soil, regenerative agriculture can help combat climate change, with consumers and farmers playing a crucial role in creating a more sustainable food system.

    https://us.engagingnetworks.app/page/email/message/view?templateId=405083

  • Congress reintroduces federal purchasing bill

    The Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act (CDRLA) has been reintroduced by Representatives Tonko and Peters and Senators Whitehouse and Coons, aiming to establish a federal carbon removal purchasing program to support high-quality carbon removal solutions. This proposal includes specific evaluation criteria and ambitious volume targets for the next decade to accelerate the development and deployment of carbon removal technologies. The federal government's market certainty can help the industry raise capital, expand operations, and ultimately meet climate goals. Investing in policy support for these technologies is crucial for the United States to deploy solutions that can fulfill global demand for carbon removal.

    https://carbon180.org/blog/congress-reintroduces-federal-purchasing-bill/