Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Nature-Based Carbon Removal

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

  • A just agricultural transition takes root in Brazil

    Agroforestry is seen as a rare climate solution that can support farmers and the environment, offering a way to decarbonize agriculture without harming rural communities. Belterra, a Brazilian agroforestry enterprise, supports farmers like Zé Maria, proving that profitable and ecologically sustainable family farms are possible in the Amazon. The article emphasizes the potential of agroforestry as a solution, which can restore soil health, conserve water, support biodiversity, and sequester carbon. Large companies like Cargill and Amazon are partnering with Belterra to integrate agroforestry into their supply chains and climate strategies, highlighting the scalability and catalytic nature of these partnerships. It is crucial that agroforestry strengthens the rights and incomes of those on the ground to be part of a just transition towards a more sustainable future.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/01/30/a-just-agricultural-transition-takes-root-in-brazil/

  • ‘Agrivoltaics is not just a land-sharing concept, but a systems-level solution to some of the world’s most pressing challenges’

    Researchers have conducted a multidimensional study on agrivoltaics, finding that it could add over 1,800 million tonnes to global crop yields annually and generate over $1 trillion in added global agricultural income. The study looked at the impact of agrivoltaics on sustainability, soil-crop productivity, socioeconomic resilience, solar power generation, spatial efficiency, and species. Agrivoltaics was seen as a systems-level solution to food insecurity, climate stress, land-use conflicts, and economic vulnerability. The study found that agrivoltaics could potentially increase global crop production by 1.8 billion tonnes annually, providing enough calories to feed over 2.1 billion people per year. This innovative approach combines solar energy production with agricultural practices, offering potential solutions for sustainable land use and renewable energy generation, highlighting the importance of exploring new methods like agrivoltaics to address climate change challenges and promote environmental sustainability.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/22/agrivoltaics-is-not-just-a-land-sharing-concept-but-as-a-systems-level-solution-to-some-of-the-worlds-most-pressing-challenges/

  • Environmental News Network – Nitrogen Is Key to Faster Regrowth in Deforested Areas, Say Researchers

    A recent study by scientists from the University of Leeds found that tropical forests can recover twice as quickly after deforestation if they have sufficient soil nitrogen. Conducted in Central America, the experiment monitored 76 forest plots over two decades to study the impact of nutrients on forest regrowth in areas cleared for logging and agriculture. The research underscores the critical role of soil nitrogen in the recovery of tropical forests post-deforestation, emphasizing the importance of nutrient management in conservation efforts. This study provides valuable insights for climate solutions experts looking to promote forest regeneration and biodiversity in deforested areas.

    https://www.enn.com/articles/77697-nitrogen-is-key-to-faster-regrowth-in-deforested-areas-say-researchers

  • Brazil’s biodiversity pledge: Six key takeaways for nature and climate change

    Brazil has finally published its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) aimed at halting and reversing nature decline by 2030, with a focus on conserving 80% of the Amazon and eliminating deforestation in Brazilian ecosystems. The plan aligns actions on climate change and biodiversity loss, setting higher conservation goals than global targets and involving consultation with scientists, Indigenous peoples, and civil society members. Specific actions include recognizing and titling Indigenous lands, establishing ecological corridors, and implementing national strategies for ecosystem protection. Brazil's NBSAP also includes mechanisms such as biodiversity credits and a regulated carbon market to finance efforts to tackle nature loss, with a national low-carbon agriculture strategy in place to promote sustainability in the agricultural sector.

    https://www.carbonbrief.org/brazils-biodiversity-pledge-six-key-takeaways-for-nature-and-climate-change/

  • Tree bark microbes play a role in eliminating greenhouse gases, study finds

    Researchers from Southern Cross and Monash universities have discovered that microbes in trees in northern New South Wales are consuming harmful greenhouse gases like methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide. This finding suggests that trees play a crucial role in shaping the atmosphere beyond just capturing carbon dioxide. The study looked at eight tree species in the Tweed Shire, finding that each species housed different microbes in its bark that fed on particular gases. The information could be used to inform decisions on the best trees to plant in specific areas to eliminate toxic gases. A recent study has revealed the potential for urban roadways lined with trees containing carbon-monoxide-eating microbes in their bark to help clean the air of vehicle emissions. The research, conducted on melaleuca wetlands on the Tweed Coast, highlights the importance of bark microbes in mitigating climate change and conservation efforts. The study also introduces new techniques for measuring gas fluxes, with global implications for understanding how trees and their bark microbiomes impact the cycling of climate-active gases. Co-lead researcher Damien Maher emphasizes that the discovery is just the beginning of expanding our knowledge of how trees and microbes interact to control Earth's climate.

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-15/tree-bark-microbes-play-a-role-in-eliminating-greenhouse-gases/106211008

  • Are Nature-Based Solutions the Key to Adapting Under Uncertainty? – Global Center on Adaptation

    Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) are gaining momentum as a way to adapt to climate change in an uncertain future. NbS use healthy ecosystems to tackle real-world challenges, such as restoring mangroves to protect coastlines or creating wetlands to absorb floods. These solutions are multifunctional, providing multiple benefits like carbon storage, biodiversity support, and local livelihood strengthening. NbS align well with practical strategies for adaptation under uncertainty, such as providing no-regret actions, built-in flexibility, extra safety without huge costs, smarter policies, and smaller, incremental steps. Overall, NbS offer a flexible, adaptable, and low-risk approach to climate adaptation in an uncertain world. Poorly designed NbS projects can create trade-offs and make communities more vulnerable, so adaptive management and monitoring are essential. Delaying action on climate solutions carries its own risks and costs. NbS may not be a silver bullet, but they provide valuable tools for addressing climate challenges.

    https://gca.org/are-nature-based-solutions-the-key-to-adapting-under-uncertainty/

  • 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

  • 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