November 18 - November 22, 2024
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In this Week’s Issue: $17.6 billion across 28 deals in Transition Finance ($9.6 billion), NbS ($621 million), Carbon Removal ($7 billion), and the Blue Economy ($330 million).
10 Essential Deals and Commitments:
Transition Finance
- Societe Generale sets a new $524 billion by 2030 goal for sustainable finance
- Firstmac issues $1.5 billion in solar proxy loan RMBS
- Blue Bear Capital raises $200 million for climate-focused AI fund and vehicles
- Extantia Capital closes a $212 million climate tech fund
- IDB allocates $3.7 billion in sustainable and green bond proceeds
Nature-based Solutions
- Triodos Bank pledges $527 million in NbS investments by 2030
- The UK announces $299 million in investments to halt deforestation
- BNP Paribas raises $130 million for its new Future Forest Fund
- DFC invests $37 million in Mombak’s Amazon reforestation initiatives
Carbon Removal
Blue Economy
- The Bahamas completes a first-of-its-kind $300 million marine-focused debt-for-nature loan agreement
News Highlights
Policy and Regulation
- COP29 agrees on a climate finance target of $300 billion / year by 2035 to support developing countries, causing controversy
- Japan mandates emissions trading for large emitters
- The European Council approves a delay of the EUDR but nixes weakening the law
Climate & NbS Finance
- Northvolt’s bankruptcy prompts Goldman Sachs to write off $900 million in investments
- HSBC discontinues plans for a carbon credit desk
- CPI and partners publish a new report on gaps in agri-food system transition finance
Emerging Science
- UNEP releases its peatland hotspot atlas
- A new paper in MDPI examines techniques for selecting agricultural land for restoration
- A new paper in Nature argues for a geological approach to net zero calculations
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Nature-based Solutions ≥ $1M
Commitments and deals
Commitments
Triodos Bank Pledges $527 million for nature-based solutions by 2030 [carbon herald]
- Triodos Bank has pledged $527 million (€500 million) by 2030 to fund nature-based solutions, focusing on biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and societal well-being. Projects are expected to include conservation, sustainable land management, and urban ecosystem development, to provide co-benefits on investment including carbon sequestration and soil regeneration. The bank has published a white paper "Financing the Nature-Based Solutions Sector" to detail its approach, which includes launching biodiversity impact reporting by 2026 and strict standards to mitigate biodiversity risks. This commitment aligns with global biodiversity frameworks, emphasizing sustainable financing and ecosystem restoration, and investing across five transformation areas—Energy, Food, Resources, Society, and Wellbeing.
Al Dahra Agriculture Egypt plans $30 million investment in expansion and sustainable farming [zawya]
- Al Dahra Agriculture Egypt, a subsidiary of UAE-based Al Dahra, plans to invest $30 million over the next three years to expand operations, including land reclamation in Toshka and upgrades to its sorting station and farm equipment. The investment aims to support Egypt's food security and agricultural goals, with plans to acquire 80,000 acres of land. Al Dahra has already invested $250 million in Egypt, focusing on strategic crops, exports, and sustainable farming practices to increase productivity.
Deals
UK dedicates $299.4 million in funding to halt deforestation [environmental finance] [UK Gov]
- The UK government has announced £239 million ($299 million) to support deforestation reduction in developing countries and protect carbon sinks, as part of its existing £3 billion ($3.8 billion) by 2026 commitment to nature-based climate finance. The amount includes £188 million ($238 million) in funding for the Scaling Climate Action by Lowering Emissions (SCALE) program £48 million ($60 million) for blended finance to unlock private investment in sustainable forest enterprises across the tropical forest belt, and £3 million ($3.8 million) for the UNFCCC to help countries protect their forests.
- Norway has committed $60 million to Brazil's Amazon Fund, supporting the country's efforts to reduce deforestation by 31% over the past year. The funding, announced during the G20 Summit, is performance-based and allocated only after deforestation reductions are achieved. This contribution will help sustain ongoing projects that protect indigenous territories, support sustainable businesses, and enforce environmental laws across the Amazon region.
Fund Formation
- BNP Paribas Asset Management has launched the Future Forest Fund, a sustainable forestry fund targeting developed markets, with an initial $130 million raised and a $500 million goal with a $750 million hard cap. The fund, developed in partnership with the International Woodland Company (IWC), will invest in 8-12 assets across the US, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, focusing on sustainable timber production and biodiversity monitoring. Revenue sources include timber sales and carbon credits, with a preference for removal credits over avoided emissions. The fund aims to align with the EU's Sustainable Financial Disclosure Regulation (Article 9) and EU Taxonomy for sustainable investments.
Hort Innovation and Artesian launch $60 million agtech venture fund [start up daily]
- Hort Innovation and Artesian have launched a $60 million agtech venture fund to support early-stage startups addressing challenges in Australia’s horticulture sector. Hort Innovation will contribute $24 million, with the rest from co-investments sourced by Artesian. Focus areas include productivity, sustainability, and consumption, targeting solutions like AI, automation, and water optimization to improve grower resilience and sustainability. Investments will range from $250,000 to $3 million, aiming to drive innovation in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and nursery plants.
DFC invests $37 million in Mombak’s Amazon reforestation projects [us embassy brazil]
- DFC approves a $37 million loan for Mombak’s reforestation projects in the Brazilian Amazon, focusing on restoring degraded areas using native species. The initiative will generate CO₂ removal credits, create local jobs, and strengthen the reforestation value chain. Mombak has already planted 3 million trees and aims to expand restoration efforts, aiming to align with global climate and biodiversity goals.
EarthOptics raises $24 million for soil sensing technology [finsmes]
- EarthOptics, a soil digitization and predictive agronomy company, has raised $24 million in a funding round led by Conti Ventures and The Production Board, with participation from multiple investors including Bayer, Shell Ventures, and Rabo Ventures. The funds will support technological advancements, geographic expansion, and the company's role as a key provider of soil insights. EarthOptics, led by CEO Lars Dyrud, uses soil-sensing technologies and data science to offer actionable insights into soil properties, helping farmers optimize spending and adopt sustainable practices. Its merger with Pattern Ag combines field-based sensing with lab-based analysis for comprehensive soil data solutions.
- TRACT has secured an $11.2 million investment to advance its agricultural sustainability reporting and compliance tools. Backed by existing investors like ADM, Cargill, and Olam, alongside new investors Rabo Investments and The Working Capital Fund, the platform aims to support emissions monitoring, farmer income insights, and EU regulation compliance. TRACT's tools look to address supply chain transparency challenges, including deforestation and human rights risks.
- Green Logic Europe GmbH (GLE) has acquired a majority stake (at an undisclosed amount) in Green Logic Switzerland AG, a company managing 35,000 Paulownia trees across 80 hectares in Croatia. The investment aims to strengthen GLE’s focus on decarbonization through tree plantations, timber harvesting, and carbon reduction.
Catona Climate invests in NatureRe project [carbon herald]
- Catona Climate has partnered with NatureRe to invest in an Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) project in Antioquia, Colombia, for an undisclosed amount with the aim to restore over 60,000 hectares of degraded land and sequester 18 million tons of CO2e. The project is expected to have co-benefits, including biodiversity restoration, water quality improvements, fire risk reduction, and local job creation.
Transition Finance ≥ $100M
Commitments and deals
Commitments
Societe Generale targets $524 billion in sustainable finance by 2030 [esg today]
- Societe Generale has set a new goal to facilitate €500 billion ($524) billion in sustainable finance from 2024 to 2030, focusing 80% on environmental activities and 20% on social initiatives. The new goal comes after the bank announced that it had achieved its goal of facilitating €300 billion in sustainable finance by 2025 ahead of schedule. The bank has also reduced its upstream oil and gas exposure by over 50% since 2019 and decreased its thermal coal sector exposure to less than 0.1% of its financing portfolio.
Deals
- CalPERS has committed $3.6 billion to climate solutions in private equity and infrastructure, advancing its $100 billion Climate Action Plan. This follows the deployment of $53 billion in climate investments, contributing to its goal of halving its carbon footprint by 2030. Recent investments include partnerships with Brookfield and TPG Rise Climate, focusing on energy transition, green mobility, and sustainable fuels. CalPERS is also reviewing an additional $3.2 billion in climate-related investments that may be executed soon.
- Brazil's development bank BNDES has signed an agreement with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for a $2.89 billion investment in projects supporting Brazil's climate fund and government growth policies. The deal focuses on infrastructure, energy, transport, and sanitation, aiming to foster economic integration between Brazil and Asia. It also seeks to attract private capital for infrastructure development. The agreement was finalized at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Blackstone invests $500 million in Lancium [yahoo finance] [data center dynamics]
- Blackstone has closed a $500 million equity investment in Lancium, a Texas-based data center company, to support its plan to build five data center campuses across West Texas totaling 5GW by 2028. The company, which initially focused on crypto mining, now aims to develop renewable energy-powered data centers across Texas. Current projects include a 325MW campus in Fort Stockton and a 200MW site in Abilene, which could expand to 2GW. Additional sites in development may eventually total 3.9GW of capacity.
Tokamak energy raises $125 million [tokamak energy]
- Tokamak Energy has raised $125 million in a funding round led by East X Ventures and Lingotto Investment Management, with contributions from Furukawa Electric, British Patient Capital, BW Group, and Sabanci Climate Ventures, bringing the total funds raised by the fusion energy company to $335 million. The fundraising round will accelerate the company's fusion energy commercialization, expand TE Magnetics' high-temperature superconducting (HTS) technology for fusion and other industries, and advance the company's fusion pilot plant and spherical tokamak research. Tokamak Energy is the first private firm to achieve a 100-million-degree Celsius plasma ion temperature in a spherical tokamak and is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Fusion Development Program.
- RHB Banking Group has signed a RM400 million ($89.7 million) portfolio guarantee agreement with Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia (CGC), including a RM100 million ($22.4 million) allocation to Malaysia’s first Low Carbon Transition Facility (LCTF). The agreement provides SMEs with up to 80% guarantee coverage and financing options up to RM5 million ($1.1 million) for sustainable practices, supporting green renewable energy, commercial property, working capital, and equipment financing. RHB aims to deliver RM1.6 billion ($358.9 million) in green financing by year-end, with over RM411 million ($92.2 million) already approved under LCTF.
- The Rockefeller Foundation has announced $10.9 million in grants to advance clean energy solutions across Africa, complementing its previous $10 million commitment. The funding will support various initiatives, including $5 million for Zambia's mini power grid project, $3 million for the African School of Regulation, and $2.1 million for the African Energy Futures Initiative. The investments aim to enhance energy access, build resilience, and promote economic development through clean energy.
QIC invests $6.5 million in Virescent Ventures' $125 million climate tech fund [innovationaus]
- Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) has invested approximately A$10 million ($6.5 million) into Virescent Ventures' A$125 million ($81 million) climate technology fund, aiming to support local startups and expand its global climate mandate. The fund, with backing from investors like Westpac and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, plans to invest up to A$200 million ($130 million) in Australian clean-tech startups over the next decade.
Tangible secures $5 million funding to bridge climate hardware financing gap [tech.eu]
- Tangible has secured £4 million ($5 million) in funding to bridge the financing gap for climate hardware by turning it into bankable assets that institutional capital can support. The platform uses software to model and manage asset-backed financing, helping climate technologies access capital through structured, scalable transactions. It collaborates with 28 investment banks to standardize financing for emerging climate assets, aiming to accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy.
Fund Formation
Extantia Capital closes $212 million climate tech fund [tech funding news]
- Berlin-based Extantia Capital closed its oversubscribed €204 million ($212 million) Article 9 flagship fund, attracting investment from a global range of institutional backers. The firm, founded in 2020, focuses on supporting climate tech innovations through its Extantia Flagship and Extantia Allstars initiatives, targeting Seed to Series A rounds in software and hardware solutions. Initial investments range from €1-5 million, with a focus on high-impact, near-term climate opportunities. Extantia uses its EPIC methodology to track carbon savings and other environmental impacts.
Blue Bear Capital raises $200 million for climate-focused AI fund [bloomberg]
- Blue Bear Capital raised $160 million for its Fund III and $40 million in follow-on vehicles, to invest in startups using AI to enhance energy, infrastructure, and climate technologies. The firm's investment strategy focuses on shorter investment cycles and higher returns, leveraging AI to improve clean-energy assets like EV charging and power grids. This strategy contrasts with traditional capital-intensive climate investments, which have struggled to attract funding.
- British International Investment (BII) has invested $16 million in the Africa Go Green Fund (AGGF), the continent's first structured debt vehicle focused on energy efficiency solutions. Managed by Cygnum Capital Asset Management, the fund aims to boost climate resilience by supporting early-stage businesses in sectors like energy efficiency, green buildings, and clean cooking. With over $166 million raised, AGGF targets sectors often overlooked by traditional lenders and has already backed initiatives across Africa in clean energy and electric mobility.
AVPN and Bayer Foundation launch $5M Climate x Health fund for Asia [biospectrum asia]
- AVPN and Bayer Foundation have launched the $5M Climate x Health: Lighthouse for Asia Fund to address climate change's impact on health in Asia. Announced at COP29, the fund will provide up to $200,000 to selected nonprofits for initiatives like food security, infectious disease management, and climate-health intelligence. The fund aims to catalyze over 20 innovations and attract co-investments from the public and private sectors. Applications open in early 2025, with all applicants receiving capacity-building support.
Ofgem proposes up to $10.2 billion fund to accelerate UK's green energy targets [reuters]
- The UK's energy regulator Ofgem has initiated consultations on a proposed investment fund of up to £8 billion ($10.16 billion) to support energy transmission and accelerate the delivery of projects. The fund would allow transmission owners to purchase key equipment in advance, helping to meet net-zero and clean energy goals by 2030. The consultation, which runs until December 18, aims to reduce delays and costs while ensuring funds are used efficiently. Unused allowances will be returned to consumers to minimize the impact on energy bills.
Green Bonds ≥ $100M
Commitments and deals
Completed Issuances
Firstmac issues $1.5 billion green RMBS featuring solar-proxy loans [mpa mag]
- Firstmac issued a $1.5 billion residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) deal featuring solar-proxy green loans certified by the Climate Bonds Initiative. The deal, privately pre-placed, follows a $1.75 billion issuance in October and includes a solar bond targeting eco-conscious investors, particularly in Japan. Firstmac’s solar home loan product offers a 0.6% interest discount for borrowers installing qualifying solar systems, supporting energy-efficient housing and climate goals.
- Iberdrola issued A$750 million ($487 million) in green bonds to finance renewable energy and hydrogen projects in Australia. The bond was oversubscribed 2.8 times, structured in two tranches with maturities of 6 and 10 years. The company secured a weighted average cost of 5.65%, attracting over 80 investors, including those focused on ESG.
- IDB Invest allocated $3.7 billion from 18 sustainable bonds to 109 green and social projects across Latin America and the Caribbean, supporting MSMEs, renewable energy, and social inclusion. The funds financed 1.2 million MSMEs, created 145,000 jobs, and reduced over 11 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. This marks the third allocation under IDB Invest's Sustainable Debt Framework, confirmed by Sustainalytics for adherence to Green and Social Bond Principles. The report was unveiled at COP29, highlighting significant socioeconomic and environmental impacts.
Carbon Removal ≥ $1M
Commitments and deals
Deals
BP and partners commit $7 billion for a carbon capture project in Papua, Indonesia [carbon herald]
- BP and partners, including CNOOC and Mitsubishi have committed $7 billion to develop the Ubadari gas field in Papua, Indonesia, and implement large-scale carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology. The project aims to unlock 3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas while sequestering 15 million tonnes of CO2 from the Tangguh LNG facility, with captured emissions enhancing production efficiency. This marks Indonesia's first major CCUS initiative and highlights growing confidence in the country's energy transition. The project, led by BP with partners including CNOOC and Mitsubishi, is part of a broader $8.5 billion investment by British firms across multiple sectors. BP will hold a 40.2% stake in the Tangguh Production Sharing Contract, which will spearhead the project's development.
Netherlands invests $2.2 million in Paebbl [carbon herald]
- Carbon utilization company Paebbl has secured a $2.2 million grant from the Dutch Ministry of Climate and Green Growth to support its first demonstration plant in Rotterdam, aimed at producing CO2-storing supplementary cementitious materials (SCM). Paebbl also raised $24 million from investors including Holcim and Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund to accelerate the plant's construction. The facility represents a rapid progression for Peabbl from gram-scale tests to a pilot plant producing 250 kg daily in under two years. Supported by partners SPIE, Schneider Electric, and Vicoma, the project demonstrates the potential for scaling sustainable construction materials at unprecedented speed.
- Rothschild & Co has signed a multiyear agreement with carbon removal company Capture6 to purchase carbon credits (at an undisclosed amount), supporting the firm’s climate targets for 2030. This partnership aims to enhance carbon removal solutions, with Capture6’s technology using wastewater brine to capture CO2 while addressing water scarcity. The deal will provide financial backing for Capture6 to scale its affordable carbon removal technology and expand its operations in California and New Zealand.
Blue Economy ≥ $1M
Commitments and deals
Deals
Bahamas completes $300 million marine-focused debt-for-nature loan agreement [environmental finance]
- The Bahamas has completed a planned $300 million loan transaction focused on restructuring the country's debt and conserving marine environments. The 15-year, completely guaranteed loan was provided by Standard Chartered, with transaction support from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The IDB provided a $200 million 'first-to-fund' credit guarantee, with Builders Vision providing a $70 million credit guarantee, alongside $30 million in credit insurance from Axa XL. The credit enhancement helped to secure an annual interest rate of 4.7%, reducing interest payments compared to existing debt and allowing the Bahamas to buy back around $300 million in debt. The $124 million in estimated savings over 15 years will be invested in marine conservation projects and represents the fifth 'Nature Bond' transaction completed by TNC, and the first of those transactions conducted as a loan instead of a bond.
Plantible raises $30 million for duckweed-based alternative protein [the fish site]
- Plantible Foods has secured $30 million in Series B funding to scale production of its Rubi Protein, derived from duckweed, at a 100-acre farm in West Texas. Founded in 2018, the company uses a proprietary manufacturing platform to meet the growing demand for sustainable, allergen-friendly proteins with superior functional and nutritional properties. The funding, co-led by Piva Capital and Siddhi Capital, will support expanded operations and fulfillment of large-scale agreements with major food companies.
Research and Knowledge Sharing
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Policy and Regulations
- As a troubled COP29 drew towards a close, delegates were able to agree on a new goal for climate financing from developed countries to developing ones. The goal of "at least $300 billion a year by 2035" was $1 trillion less than the $1.3 trillion requested by a coalition of developing states. The COP proposed that the gap be made up through private investment and other sources, which received heavy criticism from major developing countries including India and Nigeria. The deal is still higher than a previously proposed $200 billion target that prompted walkouts from many Least Developed Countries. The conference also ended without agreement on how to embed COP28's global stocktake into future planning, which would be decided at COP30 in Brazil instead, following pressure from major fossil fuel producers like Saudi Arabia to downplay COP28's statement on moving away from fossil fuels. In addition to news on the finance process, Carbon Brief provides updates on other aspects of COP29 in this article, including the final decisions on article 6.4 and ongoing arguments about Loss and Damage. Our partners at Nature4Climate have also provided a recap of the COP29 process, with a special focus on its impact on financing for nature.
Japan mandates emission trading for companies emitting over 100,000 tons of CO2 [carbon herald]
- Japan plans to include all industrial companies emitting over 100,000 tons of CO2 annually in its emissions trading scheme (ETS) starting in fiscal 2026, encompassing approximately 400 companies and 60% of national CO2 emissions. Similar to ETS systems in the EU and China, companies exceeding emissions quotas will pay fees, while those below quotas can trade or carry forward allowances. Japan’s ETS, developed from the 2023 Green Transformation League trial, uniquely incorporates carbon removal credits from the outset, a feature under consideration by the EU and UK.
U.S. federal agencies release roadmap to accelerate sustainable aviation fuel production [US DOE]
- The U.S. Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, and Federal Aviation Administration have released a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge Roadmap Implementation Framework to accelerate the production of SAF. The framework outlines the agencies' coordinated efforts, covering feedstock innovation, technology, supply chain building, policy analysis, and more to meet ambitious SAF production targets. The U.S. aims to produce 3 billion gallons of SAF by 2030 and 35 billion gallons by 2050, to reduce aviation emissions.
- The ongoing negotiations over the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) continued as the European Council blocked attempts by the European Parliament to weaken the EUDR, rejecting amendments that proposed exempting “no risk” countries from reporting requirements. While confirming a one-year delay to the regulation’s application, the Council upheld the original draft approved by the European Commission. The regulation now takes effect on December 30, 2025, for large companies, and a year later for small and micro companies.
Indonesia moves up coal phase-out date [environmental finance]
- At the G20 Summit in Brazil, Indonesia's President, Prabowo Subianto announced that the country would move the phase-out date for its coal-fired fossil plants 16 years forward, to 2040. The Country plans to build 75GW of renewable energy capacity, alongside biodiesel production, to offset the lost coal capacity.
- Indonesia and Singapore have agreed to collaborate on blue economy programs, focusing on marine conservation, sustainable fishing, coastal management, and reducing marine plastic waste. Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries highlighted plans to expand marine conservation areas, revitalize aquaculture, and promote tilapia farming. Singapore pledged support in marine resource cultivation and conservation efforts, building on Indonesia’s $113.4 million marine exports to Singapore in 2023. The partnership aims to boost economic growth while ensuring marine ecosystem sustainability.
Finance Research and Updates
HSBC leaves Carbon Market [carbon herald]
- HSBC has halted plans to create a carbon credit desk, in response to ongoing controversies and issues in the voluntary carbon market. The pullout is a major blow to voluntary carbon markets, coming soon after Google's announcement it will stop purchasing VCM credits. It is unclear how the agreement on global carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement will affect HSBC's future decisions regarding carbon trading.
- The Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) has urged public and private sectors to account for nature as an asset to improve balance sheet accuracy and drive investment in natural capital. Its "G20 Nature Investment Roadmap" argues that treating nature solely as a cost obscures its value, discouraging private capital for environmental projects. The report recommends mandating frameworks like the International Accounting Standards Board’s S37 and S38, and making nature- and climate-related financial disclosure frameworks mandatory. Governments are encouraged to quantify natural assets in national accounts and strategies, alongside measures like tax incentives and enhanced data infrastructure, to establish nature as an asset class.
CPI publishes "The Triple Gap in Finance for Agrifood Systems" [CPI]
- CPI, the UN FAO, CLIC, and others have published a new paper on the investment needs of the agri-food sector as it works to transition towards a lower carbon and nature-positive equilibrium. The analysis finds that the major gaps facing the agrifood transition are shortfalls in climate finance, difficulties in planning on both a landscape and institutional level, and data deficiencies. The report lays out suggestions for policymakers on how to improve decision-making and bridge these gaps.
Alterra fund delayed in disbursements compared to timeline goals [bloomberg]
- Alterra, which was launched at COP28 with a pledge to mobilize $250 billion for climate finance by the end of the decade, has thus far committed only $6.5 to $7 billion of the $30 million earmarked for the project in December of 2023. The lag in investment has been blamed primarily on a lack of investable pipeline.
- Goldman Sachs will write off nearly $900 million after Swedish battery maker Northvolt filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The private equity funds managed by Goldman, which hold a 19% stake in Northvolt, had invested in multiple funding rounds, but the company, burdened with $5.8 billion in debt, was unable to secure long-term financing. Despite efforts to restructure and support Northvolt, Goldman will mark its investment to zero by year-end.
Latitude Media looks at CalPERS progress on its $100 billion climate commitment [latitude media]
- Latitude Media has published an in-depth analysis of the first year of CalPERS’ pledge to invest $100 billion in climate solutions by 2030. The project, which has committed more than $53 billion to climate investments so far, invests across mitigation, adaptation, or decarbonization, including both proven solutions and nascent technologies. The article provides overviews of CalPERS current investment strategies, interviews with fund managers and other experts, and the potential impact of the incoming Trump Administration on CalPER's strategy.
Emerging Science
UNEP releases peatland hotspot atlas [unep]
- The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released the Global Peatland Hotspot Atlas, highlighting peatlands as vital carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots found in 177 of 193 UN Member States. Despite covering only 3-4% of Earth's surface, peatlands store one-third of global soil carbon and support essential ecosystems. Degradation due to agriculture, urbanization, deforestation, and climate change contributes to 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The atlas emphasizes the need for protection, restoration, and sustainable management to mitigate climate change and preserve biodiversity.
A new paper examines the selection of agricultural land for NbS [mdpi]
- With the EU Nature Restoration Law mandating reforestation and restoration throughout the bloc, scientists at the University of Molise have published a new paper in MDPI exploring approaches for choosing cropland for nature restoration. The study, which examines areas in Molise, Italy, analyzes cropland clusters throughout the province using GIS satellite data, and uses metrics and indicators including ecological disturbance, proximity to forestland, and economic indicators, to help determine candidates for restoration on a landscape scale.
Paper examines the health benefits of reduced deforestation in the Amazon [nature]
- A new paper in Nature examines how the reduction in Amazonian deforestation in the 2000s has correlated with changes in health outcomes in affected regions in Brazil. The study found that there was a significant reduction in deaths associated with respiratory problems when deforestation-related burning was reduced and that pregnancy-related health problems fell as well under more robust conservation.
Nature paper argues for "geological net zero" [carbon herald]
- A new paper published in Nature argues for a "Geological Net Zero" approach to carbon accounting for climate change mitigation planning, with one tonne of CO2 permanently sequestered for every tonne generated by fossil sources. The paper argues against including passive sources of CO2 sequestration, such as increased plant growth due to higher CO2 concentrations, in net-zero calculations.
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