Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Nature-Based Carbon Removal

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

  • How one community is protecting 16,500 hectares of rainforest

    Cool Earth has partnered with the local community in Sololo, Papua New Guinea to protect their rainforest, which serves as a valuable carbon sink and essential resource for the community. By providing unconditional funding, Cool Earth enables the community to resist loggers and oil palm companies, preserving their traditional way of life and safeguarding the environment for future generations. This initiative highlights the importance of empowering indigenous peoples and local communities in climate solutions, as they are the real experts in rainforest protection and sustainable resource management. Through projects like the roofing iron initiative, communities can generate income, strengthen their homes against climate impacts, and contribute to the preservation of vital ecosystems.

    https://www.coolearth.org/news/best-rainforest-protection-in-papua-new-guinea/

  • The Mangrove Breakthrough is Mobilizing Global Leadership and Large-Scale Finance

    The Mangrove Breakthrough initiative aims to protect and restore mangroves by mobilizing $4 billion to conserve 15 million hectares by 2030. This global movement focuses on embedding mangrove conservation within the local economy to build resilient communities. The initiative promotes radical collaboration, science-based financial decisions, and investing in local leadership. The Hub, hosted by the Chilean NGO Ambition Loop, drives the mission by sustaining partnerships and building infrastructure for lasting impact. The Mangrove Breakthrough is introducing the Mangrove Catalytic Facility to bridge financing gaps and enable systemic transformation in mangrove-positive actions and businesses, with over $750 million mobilized in mangrove-positive investments since 2020.

    https://www.mangrovealliance.org/news/cop30-flagship-ministerial-event

  • What do African countries want from COP30?

    African government negotiators at COP30 are prioritizing fair sharing of the bill for climate change, seeking finance solutions to help them become more resilient to climate disasters and transition to cleaner energy without adding to their debt loads. Several African countries have lowered emissions cutting ambitions in their latest national climate plans due to lack of funding. The goal is to ensure practical solutions are recognized for African countries experiencing global warming, with a focus on debt-free finance and increased provision of climate cash from public and private sources. African negotiators are pushing for $1.3 trillion in annual financial support by 2035, with the majority being grant-based resources to avoid increasing the continent's debt burden. Africa's total external debt has risen to $1.15 trillion by the end of 2023, with debt servicing reaching $163 billion in 2024. African negotiators are aiming to unlock cash to implement national adaptation plans and adopt metrics tailored to Africa's circumstances. Discussions are ongoing to finalize a set of around 100 indicators for adaptation progress. African countries are eager to see national adaptation plans become a reality on the ground, with a focus on building resilience and capacity for emergency response. The Congo Basin is receiving limited international forest-related financing, and African delegates are interested in the Tropical Forest Forever Facility launched by Brazil at COP30. African civil society groups are calling for COP30 to recognize the Congo Basin as a vital global climate asset and ensure equitable finance flows for its protection. They also want support for Africa-led initiatives like the Great Green Wall and AFR100 to strengthen nature-based solutions. Activists are pushing for a Just Transition Work Programme to ensure social justice and equity in job creation and finance during the global shift to cleaner energy sources. African countries are also advocating for discussions at COP30 on critical minerals to focus on powering Africa's transition and supporting their development. Loss and damage costs in Africa due to climate impacts are estimated to be between $280 billion-$440 billion a year from 2020 to 2030. Africa is facing "irreplaceable loss" due to climate change impacts, including damage to cultural heritage sites, shrinking farmlands, and worsening health. The country is calling for international support to cope with these challenges. At COP30, African civil society groups are advocating for the new global Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) to provide grants for climate-vulnerable nations in Africa. The fund should offer assistance for both sudden and slow-onset crises, such as losses from rising seas or desertification. Africa's COP30 envoy emphasizes the need for an efficient fund that can address loss and damage on an emergency basis, criticizing the slow progress and lack of significant donations to the FRLD.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2025/11/10/what-do-african-countries-want-from-cop30/

  • Ceres applauds launch of Tropical Forest Forever Facility, urges more government and private sector support

    The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) was launched at COP30 Leader's Summit with $5.5 billion in investment commitments to protect tropical forests, aiming to safeguard over 1 billion hectares by paying nations to keep them standing. Endorsed by 34 tropical forest countries, the fund mandates at least 20% of payments go to Indigenous Peoples and local communities, using a blended finance model to generate returns for investors and create an enabling environment for companies to close supply chain gaps. Ceres will release a report analyzing corporate progress on deforestation and offering pathways for business action in at-risk sectors.

    https://www.ceres.org/resources/news/ceres-applauds-launch-of-tropical-forest-forever-facility-urges-more-government-and-private-sector-support

  • Sheep Frolic In Massive New Solar Power Plant

    Solar power plants in Texas are on the rise, with the state leading in wind power and competing for the top spot in solar power. The state's unique economic policy has allowed for the development of large-scale solar projects, such as Enel's GulfStar solar power plant with energy storage. Energy storage systems are being used to enhance the value of solar projects, providing reliability and support to the grid. Solar power plants are gaining support from industries like data centers and high-volume electricity users due to their quick construction and ability to deliver electricity at utility scale. The solar grazing movement is also gaining momentum in Texas, with Enel contracting 6,000 sheep to manage vegetation at solar power plants covering over 10,000 acres. This represents a significant leap for the solar grazing movement in the US, with Enel estimating that solar grazing covered 100,000 acres by 2024. Power plants across the country are creating opportunities for farmers, such as Agrivoltaic Solutions which has expanded to a 500-sheep operation on 1,500 acres of solar sites. State policy makers, like in New York, are taking action to support agrivoltaic projects with a $7 million demonstration and research program. Enel has commissioned its largest solar power plant in the US where sheep will manage vegetation and enhance soil. This initiative showcases the potential for combining agriculture and renewable energy to address climate change.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/07/sheep-will-frolic-in-massive-new-solar-power-plant-in-texas/

  • Cropped 5 November 2025: Nature finance at COP30; Storms devastate crops; Brazilian deforestation decline

    Key climate-related points from the section include Brazil's announcement of an 11% drop in deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, Malaysia and Indonesia updating their climate targets ahead of COP30, and the failure of UN biodiversity negotiations to agree on recommendations for the next major round of discussions. Additionally, Hurricane Melissa caused damage to crops in the Caribbean, while Cyclone Montha affected the agricultural sector in India, leading to significant losses for farmers. Around 1.7 billion people worldwide are living in places where human-driven land degradation is leading to falling crop yields, posing a threat to agricultural productivity and food security. Nigeria approved a new national carbon market framework to unlock up to $3bn annually in carbon finance, reinstated funding for climate change initiatives, and committed to mainstreaming climate action into national development. American pop star Billie Eilish announced a donation of $11.5m from her upcoming tour proceeds to causes dedicated to food equity, climate justice, and reducing carbon pollution. Eel trafficking in Europe, combined with habitat loss, pollution, and the climate crisis, is driving the slippery fish towards extinction. The COP30 UN climate talks in Brazil are focusing on the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) as a new funding mechanism to protect tropical forests. However, concerns have been raised about the fund's design and effectiveness in preserving forests. Brazil is also pushing for increased use of sustainable fuels and the development of biodiversity offsets and carbon credit markets. Despite a deadline for new climate pledges, only a third of countries have submitted them so far. Climate finance experts are concerned that the focus on private sector involvement is weakening official funds for climate solutions at COP30. They argue that addressing root drivers of tropical forest loss, such as changing diets and shifting harmful subsidies, would unlock serious grant money for countries. New science highlights the impact of expanding irrigation on water depletion and the potential climate implications of ammonia emissions from farming. The article also includes information on greenwashing in agriculture, wildlife trafficking, rainforest threats in Nigeria, and life in Sulawesi island.

    https://www.carbonbrief.org/cropped-5-november-2025-nature-finance-at-cop30-storms-devastate-crops-brazilian-deforestation-decline/

  • Global cities unite to tackle the risks of extreme heat

    The Cool Cities Accelerator, a global coalition of 33 cities, aims to address extreme heat in urban areas by implementing innovative heat governance structures, appointing a Chief Heat Officer, and taking actions such as heat risk communication, cool shelters, tree planting, and urban greening initiatives. Supported by organizations like The Rockefeller Foundation and C40 Cities, the initiative seeks to create cooler, greener, and safer cities for all residents, aligning with global standards for climate leadership. The United Nations Secretary-General's call to action on extreme heat underscores the urgent need for cities to take immediate and long-term action to protect communities from the increasing threat of extreme heat. The Accelerator provides a framework for cities to develop heat adaptation targets and implement solutions to mitigate the effects of extreme heat, supporting a broader mission of bold, science-based climate action in urban areas worldwide.

    https://www.c40.org/news/global-cities-unite-to-tackle-the-risks-of-extreme-heat/