Remove Carbon:
– Restore & Manage Ecosystems
– Shift Agriculture Practices
– Use Degraded Land
– Manipulate Biogeochemical Cycles
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'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/
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.
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/
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.
Significant developments in durable carbon removal (CDR) occurred this week, with Altitude, Frontier, Microsoft, and other companies signing agreements to purchase CDR credits. Altitude, Frontier, and Microsoft purchased significant amounts of CDR credits from various providers, while partnerships were formed to advance carbon removal projects. Canadian project developer Deep Sky achieved Quebec's first permanent removal and geological injection of captured CO2, and other projects such as 44.01's CO2 mineralisation in the UAE are scaling up. Financing news and research updates in the climate solutions space were also highlighted, with CDR.fyi offering free access to market insights and company profiles related to climate solutions.
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
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.
The Heat Is On campaign, launched by the Global Center on Adaptation, aims to spotlight proven adaptation solutions to combat extreme heat, such as early warning systems and nature-based solutions. These initiatives have already saved lives, protected livelihoods, and absorbed CO2 emissions. The campaign has successfully connected policymakers, practitioners, and communities globally, building momentum for adaptation action. At COP30 in Belém, the campaign helped elevate adaptation on par with mitigation, leading to a decision to triple adaptation finance under the Belém Package. Accelerating adaptation action, scaling solutions, and protecting communities from extreme heat must remain a global priority.
https://gca.org/when-the-heat-is-on-stories-of-action-and-impact/
Strong Roots Congo is working to create a 1-million-hectare corridor between Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Itombwe Nature Reserve in the DRC by securing community forest concessions. The project aims to rectify past displacements caused by the creation of the national park and engage communities in conservation. Despite challenges, the initiative has secured 23 community forest concessions covering nearly 600,000 hectares. The corridor will allow species to move safely between protected areas and promote biodiversity while supporting the livelihoods of local communities. The initiative also aims to bridge the gap between modern and customary laws regarding forest land ownership, reduce the impacts of armed conflict on forests and wildlife, and protect Indigenous peoples from land grabbing.