Category: Nature-Based Carbon Removal

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

  • 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/

  • Huge ‘blue carbon’ offsetting project takes root in the mangroves of Sierra Leone

    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.

    https://news.mongabay.com/2025/12/huge-blue-carbon-offsetting-project-takes-root-in-the-mangroves-of-sierra-leone/

  • Ethiopian youth groups restore Rift valley lake & livelihoods

    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/

  • Project sees long-term success restoring forests in the high Andes: Study

    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.

    https://news.mongabay.com/2025/12/project-sees-long-term-success-restoring-forests-in-the-high-andes-study/

  • This Week in CDR

    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.

    https://www.cdr.fyi/blog/this-week-in-cdr-week-51-2025