Global Climate News

US-based Land Life has announced a partnership with the Colorado State Land Board to reforest up to 1,000 acres of wildfire-affected land in Colorado. This initiative will use private finance to generate carbon credits, which will be sold on the voluntary carbon market to support public schools. The project will focus on state trust lands in Grand, Huerfano, and Larimer counties, with tree planting set to begin in Fall 2025. The project aims to improve watershed health, wildlife habitat, and landscape resilience to climate-induced stressors.

The United States hosted a technical program on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) from March 3-5, 2025, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX. The event featured presentations and discussions on various themes including subsurface storage, site selection, injectivity challenges, and global CCUS implementation. Companies like Net Power, ExxonMobil, and Chevron participated, highlighting advancements in CO2 storage and utilization technologies. The program also included discussions on policy innovations for CCUS in India and a model for developing oil and gas regions globally, such as the Niger Delta.

InPlanet has advanced its Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) approach to carbon capture by exploring the dissolution of rock powders that release essential cations into the soil. The team, led by Dr. Junyao Kang and Dr. Matthew Clarkson,’s efforts resulted in quantifying CO₂ capture to verify 235.53 tons of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits from an initial potential of 755 tons. This approach involves a conservative estimation process to ensure the credibility of carbon capture metrics, especially considering impacts from fertilizers that may artificially inflate dissolution calculations.

InPlanet's team of scientists worked on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) using Enhanced Rock Weathering. They measured the losses during the process diligently, identifying sources such as soil, plants, and water that resulted in CO₂ re-release. The work led to a careful estimation of captured CO₂ to ensure accuracy in reporting, reflecting that 700 tons of CO₂ were effectively captured after accounting for losses. This initiative plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by ensuring that carbon removal efforts are as effective and transparent as possible.

The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC) has released a report titled "Scaling Up Carbon Dioxide Removals", recommending the establishment of legally binding targets for gross emission reductions, permanent and temporary carbon removals, and the development of robust monitoring and verification systems. The ESABCC advocates for increasing EU funding to at least €2.6 billion for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) innovation in the upcoming funding cycle. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for better CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure as well as compliance markets for CDR, while encouraging stronger government procurement frameworks and responsibilities for current polluters.

US-based MTR Carbon Capture has partnered with Pall Corporation to enhance carbon capture solutions tailored for various industrial sectors aimed at achieving decarbonization. This collaboration merges Pall's cutting-edge flue gas filtration technology with MTR's Polaris™ membrane system to create a modular and scalable system for carbon capture. They aim to assist clients in emission-heavy industries—such as cement and steel production—in adopting carbon capture technologies effectively, thus supporting their net-zero emissions goals.

Japan has designated a specific area off the coast of Tomakomai, Hokkaido, as a designated area for a carbon dioxide storage project under the CCS Act. This decision follows the need to approve test drilling applications, with the guidelines established under the CCS Act. The site is recognized for its potential to store CO2 effectively, advancing Japan's CCS initiatives. The legal framework, established by the CCS Act, allows for the designation of areas suitable for storage, beginning the important phase of research and exploration for carbon capture and storage operations.

New Zealand has made key decisions on a Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) framework to enable businesses to store carbon underground, supporting the reduction of net carbon emissions. Energy and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced that the framework will reward businesses capturing and storing CO2 through the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The government aims to align with international practices, promoting economic growth and innovation while ensuring safe CO2 storage. Legislation for the CCUS framework is expected to be introduced this year.

The ICM Forum, established in 2021, has released a major report on Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) that outlines the essential actions needed to unlock its full potential. The report emphasizes the need for regulatory simplifications, stronger carbon accounting frameworks under the EU ETS, and long-term policy adjustments to boost investment certainty. It advocates for the integration of CCU into existing policy frameworks and the establishment of financial and market mechanisms to ensure its adoption, demonstrating the collaborative effort required across multiple sectors to achieve climate goals.

The CDRterra researchers, Antonia Holland-Cunz and JProf. Dr Christian Baatz, published a significant study on governance frameworks for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies in the scientific journal Climate Policy. Their framework assesses policy measures for CDR based on various criteria including feasibility and cost-effectiveness, aiding policymakers in making informed decisions. They emphasize the importance of CDR in mitigating climate change and the necessity of well-structured governance to realize its full potential.

Spain-based Sidenor participated in the SCALE-UP project, an initiative funded by the Basque Government's HAZITEK program. This project aims to develop innovative methodologies to validate the reliability of large scale wind turbine components without the need for extensive testing facilities. Focused on optimizing induction hardening processes for offshore wind turbine fasteners, Sidenor integrates experimental trials and simulation models to enhance mechanical properties and durability. This effort also aligns with their commitment to reduce carbon emissions in steel production using renewable energies.

China's Yancheng Institute of Technology and Nanjing University have synthesized a UiO66-NH2@In2O3 heterostructure for enhanced photocatalytic CO2 reduction. This advanced photocatalyst achieved a CO production rate of 83.68 μmol g−1 in the first hour and a total yield of 485.08 μmol g−1 after 7 hours. The significant results are attributed to the effective charge separation and enhanced CO2 adsorption properties enabled by the heterjunction formation between UiO66-NH2 and In2O3.

Belgium-based ICM Forum released a report detailing key policy recommendations to enhance the deployment of Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technologies in Europe. The report highlights the need to address regulatory barriers, enhance financial incentives, and support the adoption of CCU technologies. It suggests simplifying regulations, establishing a supportive carbon accounting framework under the EU ETS, and adjusting sunset clauses for long-term investment certainty. The report also advocates for a minimum percentage of circular carbon in products and the development of a robust financing ecosystem.

In a significant advancement towards carbon recycling, researchers have developed an electrochemical oxidation-reduction reconstruction method to enhance the performance of CO2 electrocatalytic conversion. The new Cu2O-Cu (111) catalysts exhibit nanoporous structures that improve the selectivity and activity in producing CH4 and C2H4. The study highlights a faradaic efficiency of 56.63% for CH4 at a current density of 41.6 mA cm-2 at -1.38 V (vs. RHE). This innovation addresses challenges in the industrial application of electrochemical reduction of CO2 by optimizing the catalyst's performance through the synergistic effects at the Cu₂O-Cu interface, leading to greater CO2-to-CH4 conversion efficiency.

US-based Alissa Park, a professor at UCLA and former professor at Columbia University, emphasized the necessity of Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technologies for addressing climate change. During her time at Columbia, she led discussions on CCUS and received multiple awards for her contributions to sustainable energy research.

US-based Twelve Company has developed eFuels aimed at decarbonizing transportation and logistics at scale. Their innovative eFuel products, including E-Jet® SAF and Electrol™ eDiesel, provide a sustainable alternative for aviation and trucking, respectively, achieving up to 90% lower lifecycle emissions compared to conventional fuels. This significant reduction supports global efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining the efficiency of supply chains. Twelve's solutions are crucial for sectors where electrification remains a challenge.

Finland-based Wärtsilä Corporation has reinforced its commitment to decarbonisation by setting a new target of reducing 25% of greenhouse gas emissions from direct suppliers by 2030. This target will focus on Tier 1 suppliers and includes Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions related to their deliveries. The baseline for this target will be established using data collected from suppliers in 2024. The company is already on track to achieve carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2024, having decreased emissions by 50% compared to the 2021 baseline. Wärtsilä continues to innovate sustainable technologies and has launched several zero-carbon fuel solutions for the marine and energy sectors.

Switzerland must achieve its net zero climate target by 2050, necessitating both a reduction in CO2 emissions and a solution for permanent CO2 storage. Researchers from ETH Zurich conducted a comprehensive study to assess the possibility of underground CO2 storage in the Swiss Alps, focusing on suitable rock types and geological conditions. They identified candidate areas but emphasized that significant technical challenges persist, such as complex geological structures and high water requirements. Alternative methods, including saline aquifer storage, are also being explored.

A recent study investigated Ag-based dual-functional materials (DFMs) for CO2 capture and reduction. The research highlighted that Ag and K co-loaded Al2O3 showed superior performance in CO formation compared to other materials. It was noted that Cu-K/Al2O3 faced limitations due to oxidation, unlike Ag-K/Al2O3, which maintained its reduced state during CO2 capture. These findings point to the potential for Ag-based DFMs in sustainable CO utilization under mild reaction conditions.

Netherlands-based SeaO₂ has partnered with Svašek Hydraulics to develop high-resolution modeling for the dilution of decarbonized seawater. This collaboration aims to provide critical data to inform the optimal placement of SeaO₂'s carbon removal technology, ensuring environmental safety and effectiveness in countering ocean acidification. Utilizing advanced 3D non-hydrostatic models, the partnership will analyze dilution patterns and spatial scales of mixing zones in coastal environments, enhancing understanding of Direct Ocean Capture's interaction with marine ecosystems.