The Bottled Truth: Coca-Cola’s New 2035 Environmental Goals Face Sustainability Backlash

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The Bottled Truth: Coca-Cola’s New 2035 Environmental Goals Face Sustainability Backlash

The Coca-Cola Company, which produces billions of bottles and cans each year, announced a new set of environmental goals for 2035, reflecting shifts in its approach to sustainability. These new targets revise earlier commitments across packaging, water stewardship, and carbon emissions. It marks a recalibration of the company’s long-term environmental strategy.

While some objectives remain steadfast, others have been scaled back or removed altogether. As such, Coca-Cola has come under fire from environmental groups for scaling back its carbon emissions and other sustainability commitments.

Here are the company’s new sustainability targets, as outlined in its updated environmental goals.

Climate Action: A New Approach to Carbon Emissions

The beverage giant has set a goal to reach net zero by 2050, while Coca-Cola in Europe has a more ambitious target of achieving it by 2040.

The company has revised its climate targets. Its previous goal was to cut absolute carbon emissions by 25% by 2030, based on a 2015 baseline. The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) classified this target as aligned with a 2°C global warming trajectory.

  • Coca-Cola 2030 carbon emissions reduction goalThe updated 2035 goal, however, no longer includes an absolute emissions reduction target. Instead, Coca-Cola aims to reduce Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions in line with a 1.5°C trajectory, using 2019 as a baseline. 

While this change aligns with more ambitious climate scenarios, it lacks specific percentage reductions previously outlined. This shift raises questions about Coca-Cola’s commitment to ambitious climate action, especially as the 2015 Paris Agreement calls for significant reductions to limit global warming.

As stated in the company’s 2023 environmental update, Coca-Cola has made progress in reducing its absolute carbon emissions based on original targets:

  • 8% decline in absolute emissions against a 2015 baseline.
  • Systemwide renewable electricity use up 24% in 2023, from 21% in 2022.

Below is the company’s greenhouse gas emissions for three years. Both Scopes 1 and 2 have decreased in 2023 compared to 2021. But Scope 3 emissions (value chain emissions) have increased.

Coca-Cola GHG carbon emissions

Packaging Goals: A Shift in Focus

In 2023, Coca-Cola’s operations generated nearly 6 million tonnes of packaging. These include 137 billion plastic bottles and 74 billion aluminum and steel cans, according to company data. This is why the company must focus on this sustainability area.

Packaging has been a cornerstone of Coca-Cola’s sustainability efforts, particularly through its 2018 “World Without Waste” initiative. This program set ambitious goals:

  • Ensuring all packaging is 100% recyclable by 2025,
  • Using at least 50% recycled content by 2030, and
  • Collecting a bottle or can for every one sold by 2030.

In 2022, Coca-Cola added a goal for 25% of its beverages to be sold in refillable containers globally.

In its latest update, Coca-Cola reported significant progress toward making all packaging recyclable, with 90% already meeting this standard. However, the company acknowledged falling short on other packaging goals.

  • The recycled content target has been reduced from 50% by 2030 to a new range of 35%-40% by 2035. Similarly, its collection goal has been adjusted to 70%-75% by 2035, down from 100% by 2030.

The company also removed its goal for refillable packaging, explaining that it will focus on areas with existing infrastructure for reusable containers. Instead, Coca-Cola plans to prioritize increasing recycled content in primary packaging and improving collection rates.

Its revised efforts will center on two key pillars:

  • “Design,” which involves creating packaging that is fully recyclable, and
  • “Partner to Collect,” emphasizing advocacy for well-designed collection systems and investments in local recycling infrastructure.
coca-cola collection
Image from Coca-Cola website

RELATED: Apple’s iPhone 16 Slashes Carbon Footprint by 30%

The soda manufacturer also made significant changes in its water use and agricultural sourcing.

Water Stewardship: A Broadened Commitment

Water management remains a critical component of Coca-Cola’s sustainability framework. The company reaffirmed its commitment to replenish more than 100% of the water used in its finished products globally, a milestone it has consistently achieved since 2015.

  • Additionally, Coca-Cola expanded its focus on water in high-risk locations. Previously, the goal was to return 100% of water used in 175 high-risk sites by 2030.

Now, the target encompasses all high-risk locations—more than 200 sites—by 2035. This broader commitment reflects the company’s growing emphasis on supporting local ecosystems and communities where water resources are under stress.

Agriculture and Sustainable Sourcing

  • Coca-Cola has removed its goal to source 100% of its priority agricultural ingredients according to its Principles for Sustainable Agriculture.

Despite this, the company pledged to continue working with suppliers and third-party stakeholders to advance sustainable sourcing practices. Efforts will focus on reducing water use, lowering emissions, preventing deforestation, and conserving high-risk areas in its supply chain.

From Ambition to Adjustment: A Strategic Recalibration

Coca-Cola considered these adjustments a strategic recalibration based on decades of sustainability work, assessments of progress, and emerging challenges. In its press release, the company acknowledged the complexity of these issues and the need for more efficient resource allocation to deliver meaningful impact.

Bea Perez, Coca-Cola’s Executive Vice President and Global Chief Communications, Sustainability & Strategic Partnerships Officer, emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing these challenges.

“We remain committed to building long-term business resilience and earning our social license to operate through our evolved voluntary environmental goals. These challenges are complex and require us to drive more effective and efficient resource allocation and work collaboratively with partners to deliver lasting positive impact.”

Yet, critics argue the adjustments undermine progress in combating pollution and climate change. Moreover, advocacy groups call on the company to uphold stronger environmental standards.

Revised Targets, Renewed Criticism: What’s Next for Coca-Cola?

Coca-Cola’s retreat comes at a time when global negotiations on reducing plastic pollution face significant hurdles. Talks for the world’s first legally binding UN treaty on plastics recently stalled, reflecting broader challenges in tackling the plastics crisis.

Environmental organizations have strongly criticized Coca-Cola’s revised carbon emissions, packaging, and water management goals. Oceana’s Matt Littlejohn labeled the new approach “short-sighted” and warned it could exacerbate the flood of single-use plastics entering waterways and oceans.

Further, Coca-Cola’s softened sustainability stance coincides with growing legal pressures on beverage companies for their plastic waste. In October 2024, Los Angeles County sued Coca-Cola and PepsiCo for misleading claims about the recyclability of their products, arguing that most plastics cannot be disposed of without harmful environmental effects.

The controversy arising from this environmental update underscores the tension between corporate sustainability promises and the practical challenges of implementing them. Coca-Cola’s revised goals reflect a more cautious approach, but the backlash highlights the growing demand for bold action in addressing global environmental and sustainability crises.

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Rio Tinto and Imperial College London Launch $150 Million Partnership to Power the Energy Transition

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Rio tinto

Rio Tinto, recently announced that it has teamed up with Imperial College London to launch the Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials. It’s a groundbreaking initiative to accelerate the development of sustainable techniques and technologies for delivering materials crucial for the energy transition.

Rio Tinto Boosts UK’s Clean Energy Ambitions

UK’s Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said,

“This investment is a major vote of confidence in the UK and will help us find new sustainable ways to deliver our renewable energy transition, supporting our ambition to become a clean energy superpower. Bringing together academic innovation and industry is vital to secure our vital supply of critical minerals, and create the economic growth our country needs.”

Coming to the funding, the mining giant has invested $150 million into the research center over the next decade, bringing top researchers and industry experts together in one platform. Its goal is to transform the way materials are sourced, processed, used, and recycled to make them more environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable.

The initiative aligns with the UK Government’s vision to establish the country as a “clean energy superpower,” as outlined in its recent Industrial Strategy Green Paper. The UK recognizes clean energy industries as a driving force for economic growth. This is significant particularly because renewable energy demands increased production of essential metals and minerals.

Thus, this initiative received “a major vote of confidence in the UK” from the UK Government.

Revenue of the leading mining companies headquartered in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023UK mining companies Rio TintoSource: Statista

Rio Tinto Chief Executive, Jakob Stausholm, said,

“Innovative partnerships between industry and academia are critical for the world to meet the deeply physical and complex challenge of the global energy transition. The Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials should become a global hub for investment and collaboration that will ultimately create the conditions for technological breakthroughs.”

He further added that innovation has been in Rio Tinto’s DNA since its founding in London over 150 years ago. He emphasized the company’s continuous efforts to improve how it delivers the materials essential for the world. The partnership with leading research institutions, spearheaded by Imperial College London, will play a key role in advancing this ambition.

What’s Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials’ Mission? 

Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, said:

“The Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials will co-create and fund research programmes that empower diverse, interdisciplinary teams to deliver innovative and transformative solutions with environment, society, and governance at their core. This work will transform the ways we extract, process, and reuse critical resources to make them more environmentally, economically and socially sustainable.

The clean energy industry, an engine of economic growth, is rightly at the heart of the government’s Industrial Strategy. Imperial – with its strong disciplinary foundations, highly collaborative culture, passion for innovation, and proven convening power – is well placed to support those ambitions.”

Delving deeper into the collaboration, The Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials will serve as a global hub for innovation, connecting Imperial College London with four leading academic institutions: the University of British Columbia, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of the Witwatersrand, and the Australian National University. This network will address urgent challenges in the materials supply chain needed for the energy transition.

Professor Mary Ryan, Vice Provost (Research and Enterprise) at Imperial College, highlighted the critical role of innovation in achieving electrification goals. She explained that scaling up electrification requires rethinking the technology and economics behind the materials supply chain. The Centre will spearhead cutting-edge, industry-focused research while encouraging groundbreaking, systems-level approaches central to Imperial’s strategy.

The First Step: Overcoming the Copper Challenge

Professor Mary Ryan explained that the Centre’s initial focus will be to address the problem of global shortage of copper which is a significant obstacle to electrification. Copper is indispensable for electricity generation, storage, and transmission, yet more copper is needed in the next decade than was mined in the past century. Current supplies fall short of meeting this growing demand.

Research efforts will explore sustainable methods to extract and recycle copper. Key initiatives include:

  • Extracting copper from fluids in the Earth’s crust.
  • Utilizing microorganisms to harvest metals from rocks with minimal copper content.
  • Optimizing waste recovery from old mining sites.

A strong emphasis will also be placed on ESG considerations, ensuring that solutions align with the interests and well-being of native communities.

This ambitious program aims to redefine how critical materials are sourced and utilized, paving the way for sustainable electrification and a greener future.

Unleashing Imperial College London’s Science for Humanity Strategy

Imperial College London’s Science for Humanity strategy makes it a pioneer in tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. As part of this effort, the college is launching four Schools of Convergence Science, including one focused solely on sustainability, to create innovative research communities.

The Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials aligns with Imperial’s Transition to Zero Pollution (TZP) initiative. This program goes beyond zero carbon goals, targeting all forms of human-induced pollution.

TZP fosters interdisciplinary research, combining science, engineering, health, systems thinking, and policymaking to create comprehensive solutions.

Imperial College has expanded its global reach with the opening of Imperial Global USA in San Francisco. This new hub strengthens partnerships with governments, organizations, and collaborators worldwide, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and innovation.

                                             Copper Outlook: IEAcopper iea Source: IEA

Rio Tinto and Sumitomo Metal Mining Strike Deal for Copper-Gold Project in Western Australia

In another recent announcement, Rio Tinto and Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM) signed a Term Sheet for a joint venture to develop the Winu copper-gold project in Western Australia’s Great Sandy Desert. This collaboration marks a significant step toward unlocking the potential of Winu, a low-risk, long-life deposit discovered by Rio Tinto in 2017. Located near Rio Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore operations, Winu holds substantial promise for expansion beyond its initial development.

Strategic Investment and Partnership Terms

Under the Term Sheet, SMM will acquire a 30% equity stake in the Winu project for $399 million. This includes a $195 million upfront payment and $204 million in deferred considerations tied to specific milestones and agreed adjustments. Rio Tinto will continue as the managing partner, overseeing project development and operations.

The agreement also includes exclusivity provisions for finalizing a binding Definitive Agreement by the first half of 2025. Additionally, Rio Tinto and SMM have entered a letter of intent to establish a broader strategic partnership, exploring collaboration in copper, base metals, and lithium.

Rio Tinto remains committed to working closely with the Nyangumarta Traditional Owners, advancing Project Agreement negotiations to ensure their involvement. The company also plans to submit an Environmental Review Document under the EPA Environmental Impact Assessment framework and complete a pre-feasibility study for Winu by 2025. This study will focus on an initial processing capacity of up to 10 million tonnes per annum (mtpa).

As we have seen copper production remains a bright spot in Rio Tinto’s portfolio, with output forecast to reach 780-850kt in 2025.

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Meta Bets Big on Nuclear Power and $10B on AI Data Center to Meet its Sustainability Target

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Meta

Meta is making a bold move toward clean energy innovation by embracing nuclear power. On December 3, the company announced its plan to collaborate with nuclear power developers to meet growing electricity demands and achieve its artificial intelligence (AI) and environmental goals.

The social media giant announced in its press release,

“Our aim is to add 1-4 GW of new nuclear generation capacity in the U.S. to be delivered starting in the early 2030s. We are looking to identify developers that can help accelerate the availability of new nuclear generators and create sufficient scale to achieve material cost reductions by deploying multiple units, both to provide for Meta’s future energy needs and to advance broader industry decarbonization.”

This strategic decision highlights how nuclear energy will support future technology and sustainability needs.

Meta’s Collaborative Approach to Nuclear Development

To put this in perspective, a typical U.S. nuclear plant produces about 1 GW of electricity. As electric grids and AI infrastructure expand, energy demand will inevitably rise.

This is why Meta plans to bet big on nuclear power to boost electric grids with reliable, low-carbon energy sources. Subsequently, the company will release a request for proposals (RFP) to attract nuclear energy developers who will support its AI and sustainability goals.

They are precisely looking for developers to fast-track new nuclear generators that can lower costs through scalable deployment. Meta will work closely with its partners who will be responsible for designing, financing, building, and operating the nuclear plants with a long-term and strategic approach.

Meta plans to engage in nuclear projects right from the initiation stage to tackle challenges and create agreements crafted according to the needs of the technology. However, this is not something new, they have followed the same strategy and have achieved success with renewable energy. Notably early partnerships led to innovative and mutually beneficial contracts.

Why Meta Wants to Invest in Nuclear?

Meta has always been an advocate for renewable energy adoption, having matched its global operations with 100% clean and renewable energy since 2020.

To date, the company has secured over 12,000 MW of renewable energy contracts, spanning solar, wind, and battery storage projects. Recently, it added geothermal energy to its portfolio.

However, nuclear energy offers a unique opportunity. Unlike solar and wind, nuclear power provides consistent energy output regardless of weather conditions. Meta considers this as crucial for ensuring grid reliability due to rising AI workloads and surging energy demands from data centers.

Yet, nuclear projects are significantly different. They are more capital-intensive, involve longer development timelines, and face stringent regulatory hurdles. Despite these challenges, their extended operational lifespan and potential to reduce carbon emissions make them an attractive option for long-term energy planning.

Additionally, as they look ahead to partnerships across multiple projects and locations, this approach will enable strategic deployment. Furthermore, the RFP process will help Meta address these opportunities carefully and thoughtfully, ensuring all factors are considered.

meta US nuclear energy

Meta Partners with Entergy on $10B AI Data Center Infrastructure Boost

Following its announcement about its nuclear endeavors, Meta unveiled plans to invest $10 billion in constructing its largest AI data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana. This hyperscale facility will handle massive data processing demands essential for advanced digital infrastructure and AI workloads.

To power this enormous facility sustainably, Meta has partnered with utility provider Entergy. Together, they aim to match the data center’s electricity use with 100% clean and renewable energy. Entergy plans to enhance its grid with clean, efficient power plants and will contribute at least 1,500 MW of new renewable energy through its Geaux Zero program.

Meta is also committed to supporting local communities. The company has pledged up to $1 million annually to Entergy’s “The Power to Care” program, which assists low-income ratepayers. Entergy Louisiana will match this contribution, amplifying its impact.

Kevin Janda, Meta Director of Data Center Strategy said,

“Meta is building the future of human connection and the technology that makes it possible. And this data center will be an important part of that mission. “Richland Parish in Louisiana is an outstanding location for Meta to call home for a number of reasons. It provides great access to infrastructure, a reliable grid, a business-friendly climate, and wonderful community partners that have helped us move this project forward. We’re thrilled to be a new member of the Richland Parish community and are committed to investing in its long-term vitality.”

Data center energy Meta

Meta’s Impressive Emissions Reductions in 2023

According to Meta’s latest sustainability report, Since 2021, Meta has slashed its overall emissions by a staggering 16.4 million metric tons of CO2e through renewable energy efforts.

In 2023, Meta reported net emissions of 7.4 million metric tons of CO2e, adhering to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol for transparency. Once again through renewable energy procurement, the tech titan cut operational emissions by 5.1 million tons of CO2e.

They used renewable energy certificates to tackle Scope 3 emissions linked to fuel use, consumer hardware like Meta Quest headsets, and remote work. This reduced value chain emissions by 1.4 million tons of CO2e in 2023 alone.

 Here’s how the company is delivering on its climate commitments:

  • Reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% from 2021 levels by 2031.
  • By 2026, two-thirds of suppliers are expected to adopt science-based emissions targets.
  • Keep Scope 3 emissions at or below 2021 levels by 2031.

meta emissions

Source: Meta

These milestones reflect Meta’s ongoing approach to shrinking its carbon footprint.

As Meta scales its AI capabilities and data infrastructure, sustainability remains a core priority. By combining renewable energy, nuclear power, and community support, Meta is setting a new standard for sustainable innovation in the tech industry.

See how other tech giants are turning to nuclear to sustain their AI and data center expansion plans:

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Solar-Plus-Storage: The Hybrid Solution Revolutionizing America’s Clean Energy Landscape

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Solar-Plus-Storage: The Hybrid Solution Revolutionizing America's Clean Energy Landscape

Solar-plus-storage systems are rapidly emerging as a game-changing solution in renewable energy. These systems tackle two critical issues: the intermittency of solar power and the mismatch between when solar energy is produced and when it is most needed. 

By combining solar panels with battery storage, these hybrid setups deliver consistent energy, enhance grid reliability, and create new income opportunities for solar plants. Solar facilities can now earn through capacity payments and arbitrage—buying energy at low costs, storing it, and selling it when prices are higher.

What Are Solar-Plus-Storage Systems and How They Tackle Energy Gaps

The U.S. solar industry is expanding rapidly, closing the gap with wind power. Utility-scale solar now totals nearly 120 GW of capacity, compared to 155 GW for wind, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights. 

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts nearly 63 GW of utility-scale electric capacity additions in 2024 as shown below. Notably, the bulk of these additions would be this month of December, predominantly from solar energy and battery storage systems.

solar and battery storage in US

However, stand-alone solar projects still dominate, accounting for 93 GW, with eight states hosting two-thirds of this capacity. This heavy concentration is causing market saturation in some areas. During peak daytime hours, solar output is so high that energy prices plummet, cutting into solar plant revenues. 

Additionally, many solar facilities must limit or curtail production because peak solar generation around noon does not align with peak energy demand, which typically occurs in the late afternoon or evening. This challenge is particularly pronounced in regions like California and Texas, where record solar curtailments have already occurred in 2024.

Recognizing these issues, developers and grid operators are shifting toward solar-plus-storage systems. These systems integrate batteries with solar facilities to store excess energy generated during the day and release it during peak demand hours. This combination enhances energy reliability and independence.

This shift is evident in the U.S. energy pipeline and grid interconnection queues. 

Today, operational solar-plus-storage systems contribute around 33 GW of capacity, including 22.8 GW of solar power paired with 10 GW of battery storage, per S&P Global data.

  • Additionally, 162 GW of hybrid solar-plus-storage projects are in the planning stages, with 42% of capacity dedicated to battery storage.

RELATED: SolarBank Charges Ahead with $3M Boost for Battery Energy Storage System Projects

Many of these new projects are strategically located in “energy communities,” areas eligible for a 10% tax credit bonus under the Inflation Reduction Act. This incentive supplements the base tax credits for investment and production, making these projects even more attractive.

New Revenue Streams Energize Solar-Plus-Storage Systems

The solar-plus-storage market is more concentrated than standalone solar. Per Wood Mackenzie’s report, Tesla Energy and Sunrun dominate the residential segment with nearly 50% market share. Non-residential solar-plus-storage follows a similar trend, with the top six installers capturing over 50% of the market in 2023, compared to just 16% for non-residential solar alone.

The next four largest solar-plus-storage installers—SunPower, Titan Solar Power, Freedom Forever, and Semper Solaris—collectively hold an additional 13% of the market.

The move toward solar-plus-storage is also reflected in grid interconnection requests.

  • By April 2024, hybrid solar-plus-storage projects accounted for 658 GW—30% of the total interconnection queue across U.S. grid operators. 

In California, where stand-alone solar projects face market saturation, over 92% of new solar projects seeking interconnection include battery storage.

Over the next decade, experts expect the deployment of solar-plus-storage systems to significantly reshape the energy landscape. These systems will help balance energy supply and demand, reduce curtailment, and increase renewable energy adoption. 

According to S&P Global Market Intelligence’s Power Forecast, utility-scale solar will account for nearly 17% of U.S. electricity generation by 2035, making it the third-largest energy source behind natural gas and wind.

For solar companies, adding battery storage creates exciting new revenue opportunities. These include earnings from arbitrage—charging batteries during low-cost periods and selling stored energy when prices are higher—and capacity revenue, and payments for ensuring resource availability. 

S&P Global shared its annual financial forecast for solar-plus-storage systems market, broken down in different revenue sources.

solar-plus-storage financial forecast

However, the profitability of these systems varies by region. Factors like natural resources, energy demand patterns, fiscal incentives, and local market dynamics play a significant role. Battery sizing also influences revenues, with smaller solar-to-battery capacity ratios expected to boost arbitrage earnings.

The Global Race in Bridging Solar Supply and Demand Divide

Globally, the solar-plus-storage market is expected to exceed 30 GWh by 2025, with China and the U.S. leading the way, according to the InfoLink report. China’s over 260 GW of installed PV capacity, supported by local policies, positions it as the largest solar-plus-storage market. 

global solar-plus-storage annual deployment

InfoLink projects that by 2025, more than 50% of solar deployments will incorporate storage globally. This trend highlights the intertwined growth of renewable energy and energy storage, providing insights into future regional developments. Solar and wind energy progress serve as key indicators for advancing energy storage systems.

As more hybrid projects come online, solar-plus-storage systems are proving to be a critical piece of the energy transition puzzle. They bridge the gap between energy production and demand, enhance grid stability, and open new financial avenues for solar developers.

With strong policy support and technological advancements, solar-plus-storage could play a leading role in achieving the clean energy goals of tomorrow.

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EU Launches €2 Billion Second Renewable Hydrogen Auction to Fuel Net Zero

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EU's €2 Billion Second Renewable Hydrogen Auction Fuels Net-Zero Race

The European Commission (EC) has launched a nearly €2 billion hydrogen auction as part of its broader €4.6 billion initiative to accelerate net-zero technologies. This marks a significant step in the EU’s push for renewable hydrogen as part of region’s clean energy transition. 

The auction, funded by the EU’s Emissions Trading System, aims to support the production of Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) hydrogen within the European Economic Area (EEA).

The funding allocation includes €1.2 billion from the Innovation Fund and an additional €700 million from Spain, Lithuania, and Austria. These resources focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in key industries such as steel, chemicals, and maritime transport. 

€2 Billion on the Table: EC Powers Europe’s Hydrogen Future

The Renewable Hydrogen Auction plays a pivotal role in consolidating green hydrogen’s position as a cornerstone of Europe’s decarbonization efforts. Unlike traditional calls under the Innovation Fund, this auction does not mandate innovation requirements. Thus, it is accessible to a broader range of participants. 

The funding has two distinct categories:

  • General Production: A budget of €1 billion is allocated to RFNBO production projects without restrictions on the sectors or end-users.
  • Maritime Sector: €200 million is specifically dedicated to advancing renewable hydrogen applications in maritime transport, such as vessel bunkering.

The EC particularly notes that:

“With a budget increased by €400 million compared to the first IF23 Auction, the new IF24 Auction will support projects for renewable hydrogen production regardless of the sector in which it will be consumed, with a dedicated budget of €1 billion; as well as hydrogen production in projects with off-takers in the maritime sector, with a dedicated budget of €200 million.” 

This auction also introduces an innovative “Auctions-as-a-Service” mechanism. This means Member States can provide national funding for high-potential projects that were not selected for EU funding due to budget constraints. Such a streamlined approach reduces administrative burdens and ensures additional support for hydrogen projects across Europe.

The video explains what is the European Hydrogen Bank.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

To ensure alignment with the EU’s climate goals, the auction enforces stringent technical, operational, and financial criteria. Projects must meet the following conditions:

  1. Geographic Location: Must be located within the EEA.
  2. Technical Specifications: Require a minimum electrolyzer capacity of 5 MW at a single location.
  3. Resilience Standards: Limit reliance on Chinese-manufactured electrolyzer stacks to 25%, promoting supply chain resilience within Europe.
  4. Timelines: Projects must achieve financial closure within 2.5 years and operational status by 2030.

The auction process involves several phases, starting with the publication of terms and conditions in September 2024. Participants must submit funding requests in the form of fixed premium bids, capped at €4 per kilogram of hydrogen produced. 

Projects are evaluated based on the bid price and assessed for their readiness to meet technical, operational, and financial milestones.

Learning from Success: The First Hydrogen Auction

The second auction builds on the success of the European Commission’s first Renewable Hydrogen Auction, which concluded in February 2024. The pilot initiative garnered 132 proposals, with seven projects from Spain, Finland, Norway, and Portugal securing funding. 

Projects from the first auction, which included participants from Spain, Norway, and Finland, achieved impressive cost reductions, producing hydrogen at €0.37 to €0.48 per kilogram. 

  • These projects will produce 1.58 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen over the next decade, equivalent to preventing the emission of 10 million tonnes of CO2. 

Funding from the first auction bridged the gap between the higher production costs of renewable hydrogen and market prices dominated by non-renewable producers.

Hydrogen’s Role in the EU’s Climate and Net Zero Goals

The EU recognizes hydrogen as a crucial element in achieving its 2050 net-zero targets. In the Net Zero Scenario, Europe fully transitions to electrification and green hydrogen, eliminating fossil fuels by 2050.

Europe net zero with green hydrogen

Hydrogen is not only key to decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like heavy industry and transport but also serves as a strategic energy vector that complements renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

A BloombergNEF analysis reveals that Europe’s green hydrogen economy demands extensive hydrogen-ready infrastructure, including transport, storage, and usage assets. Achieving this vision under the Net Zero Scenario needs 1.2-1.5 terawatts of new wind and solar capacity. This renewable energy expansion will power over 1 terawatt of electrolyzers by 2050, fueling the hydrogen transition.

Europe green hydrogen production 2050

This is where the European Hydrogen Bank’s auctions come in. They are instrumental in addressing the economic barriers that hinder large-scale hydrogen adoption.

Speaking of which, just recently, ArcelorMittal announced delaying its green steel investment plans, which involve using green hydrogen to produce green steel. This is mainly due to a lack of clarity in the EU policy regarding hydrogen. 

By bridging the gap between renewable hydrogen’s production costs and its market price, the EU aims to establish a competitive and sustainable hydrogen economy through this second hydrogen auction.

Driving Decarbonization Across Industries

The Renewable Hydrogen Auction reflects Europe’s commitment to decarbonizing high-emission sectors through green hydrogen innovation. The initiative targets industries such as steel production, chemical manufacturing, and maritime transport, aiming to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives.

By providing financial incentives, the auction encourages industry leaders to overcome economic barriers and adopt green hydrogen solutions. Additionally, it supports the EU’s broader objectives of energy independence and supply chain resilience, fostering regional innovation.

Key Deadlines and Next Steps

  • Application Deadline: February 20, 2025.
  • Evaluation Period: Following the submission deadline, projects will be ranked and assessed for maturity and feasibility.
  • Grant Finalization: Successful applicants will enter into agreements within nine months of the call’s closure.

As the EU continues to lead the global race to decarbonize, renewable hydrogen remains at the forefront of its vision for a sustainable and net zero future.

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Laconic Teams Up with Planet to Revolutionize Forest Carbon Insights for Smarter Carbon Credits Trading

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laconic

Planet Labs PBC a leading provider of global, daily satellite imagery and geospatial solutions announced that they have signed a multi-year, seven-figure deal with Laconic, a company leading a global shift in climate finance, empowering governments to monetize natural carbon assets through its Sovereign Carbon securitization platform.

In this deal, Laconic can use Planet’s 3-meter Forest Carbon Monitoring product and 30-meter Forest Carbon product for the next three years.

Laconic’s CEO Andrew Gilmour said,

“Planet’s Forest Carbon products give us a best-in-class data layer from which we can extract critical insights for our customers. The scope of their product is exceptional. Nowhere else could we get trusted forest carbon data at this high of a cadence or resolution.”

The partnership aims to establish a reliable, data-rich system for generating and trading sovereign carbon, a financial asset created by nations to reduce deforestation in their rainforests.

Planet’s Revolutionary Forest Carbon Monitoring System

Forests play a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide, yet accurately estimating the carbon they store has always been challenging. Traditional methods like ground surveys, costly airborne missions, or inconsistent satellite data have some cons. They are either expensive or impractical on a large scale. Planet’s Forest Carbon Monitoring products address these challenges with advanced, scalable solutions.

What is Forest Carbon Monitoring?

Planet’s Forest Carbon Monitoring provides a global dataset offering detailed estimates of aboveground forest carbon, tree height, and canopy cover. It enables users to analyze every hectare of forest and woodland on Earth. This data uses advanced ML features to combine historical satellite imagery with laser-derived LiDAR data. This ensures high-level precision and scalability.

The system supports crucial activities like carbon project accounting, digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV), reforestation efforts, and deforestation tracking. It can monitor the full range of forest changes ranging from massive wildfires to small agricultural clearings and minor deforestation.

Unique Features of Planet’s Forest Carbon Monitoring

Global Coverage at High Resolution: The 3-meter resolution dataset provides quarterly updates on aboveground carbon, canopy height, and cover across the entire Earth. Dating back to 2021, this is the first global monitoring system at such a high resolution.

Historical Archive: The Forest Carbon Diligence product offers global aboveground carbon data at a 30-meter resolution, covering changes since 2013. This historical archive is invaluable for understanding forest dynamics over time.

Advanced AI Integration: The product leverages Planet’s extensive satellite imagery and a global library of LiDAR data. AI processing ensures data accuracy and consistency, making it an affordable alternative without sacrificing scientific quality.

Planet forest carbonSource: Planet

Why It Matters?

The detailed, consistent data provided by Planet’s products is critical for voluntary carbon markets, regulatory compliance, and deforestation mitigation. Governments can use this system to establish accurate baselines for their forests and measure the success of their carbon sequestration policies. Notably, the system is aligned with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) that defines deforestation boundaries and highlights forest degradation and carbon loss.

The datasheet also provides critical insights for compliance and reporting. This means the data can be used to quantify deforestation with high accuracy. It will further allow stakeholders to track forest changes globally with unmatched precision and confidence.

Now that organizations can access this tool to monitor forest health, they can act effectively against climate change. Additionally, users can chart out impactful reforestation projects, track carbon credits, and contribute to global sustainability goals.

Interestingly, Planet’s Forest Carbon Planetary Variable can measure carbon stocks and forest area changes over time and accurately track losses and gains. The company believes this technique is far more affordable and globally accessible as compared to airborne approaches.

Planet’s CEO Will Marshall expressed his excitement about this partnership by saying,

“It’s time for the world to start valuing trees alive and standing, and putting carbon onto our balance sheets. The technology is here to capture it, and the data is here to validate it. We are very happy about this partnership with Laconic. By getting our Forest Carbon data into their expert hands, we’re excited to see how governments and investors start to make informed carbon trading decisions – changing how we see and value our essential global forests.”

Laconic’s Sovereign Carbon®: A New Frontier in Climate Finance

Laconic delivers high-end environmental intelligence and data management tools that drive transparency and fairness in carbon-linked financial activities. They empower governments, corporations, and financial institutions to engage openly and fairly in the carbon market.
Now their blueprint Sovereign Carbon tool introduces a transformative financial asset class that can potentially generate $1 trillion annually in carbon trading.

This innovative approach advances global Net-Zero efforts by monetizing natural resources like forests and wetlands and turning them into sustainable revenue streams.

Additionally, their Carbon Securitization Platform delivers real-time, secure data to support large-scale carbon transactions aligned with Article 6.

• This platform empowers nations to convert climate commitments into high-value financial products. This will further retain transparency and trust for governments and investors alike.

For instance, through the Securitized Sovereign Carbon nations can transform their natural capital, such as forests and wetlands, into tradable securities. This creates a profitable alternative to deforestation while attracting institutional investors to conservation efforts.

Laconic is headquartered in Chicago, with offices in Toronto, London, and Singapore. The company’s trademarks—SADAR, LUEI, and LUCID—reflect its dedication to driving environmental and financial innovation. The company proudly withholds its motive to redefine climate finance by channeling investments into emissions reduction while supporting the net zero goals of our planet.

By combining Planet’s meticulous Forest Carbon data with Laconic’s Sovereign Carbon securitization platform and industry expertise, the collaboration aims to unlock new ways to value natural capital and drive sustainability-focused markets.

Source: Planet Partners with Laconic to Deliver AI-Powered Forest Carbon Insights, Aiming to Enable Informed Carbon Credit Trading

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SolarBank Charges Ahead with $3M Boost for Battery Energy Storage System Projects

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solarbank bess

SolarBank Corporation, a pioneer in clean and renewable energy in Canada and the U.S., is entering the battery energy storage market by securing $3 million in project financing. The loan, provided by RE Royalties Ltd., marks a significant milestone in SolarBank’s growth strategy, which includes battery energy storage system (BESS) projects.

A Milestone for SolarBank’s Battery Energy Storage Goals

The company aims to capitalize on the market forecast by Fortune Business Insights that predicts project growth at a 16.3% annual rate and reaching $31.2 billion by 2029.

SolarBank is developing three 4.99 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in Ontario. These projects are owned by 1000234763 Ontario Inc. and 1000234813 Ontario Inc. (“ProjectCos”). The loan agreement is under Solar High Yield Projects #1 Ltd. (“the Borrower”).

The company got involved in the projects through its $45 million acquisition of Solar Flow-Through Funds Ltd., which was completed in July 2024. This acquisition expanded the company’s renewable energy assets and opportunities in energy storage. Subsequently, the newly secured financing will help SolarBank leverage this acquisition and refresh its storage project plans. This is also one way to diversify its portfolio for renewable energy solutions.

Matthew Wayrynen, Chair of SolarBank commented,

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with RE Royalties to secure this financing for our BESS projects in Ontario. Having worked with RE Royalties on previous projects, we value their expertise and shared commitment to sustainability. This financing is a key step toward a cleaner future and the further diversification of SolarBank’s growing project portfolio.”

                           Mergers & Acquisitions Opportunistic ExpansionSolarBank solar energy Source: SolarBank

Unlocking the BES Project Loan Agreement

RE Royalties Ltd. will issue the entire $3 million loan to SolarBank’s in a single installment and the company has to repay by November 26, 2025. The loan carries an annual interest rate of 11%. To secure the financing, SolarBank agreed to a 0.40% royalty on the gross revenue from the projects. Notably, if they can repay the within six months, the royalty will drop to 0.25%.

Bernard Tan, CEO of RE Royalties, stated

 “We are excited to be working with the SolarBank management team again on this transaction. The SolarBank team has a long proven track record in developing, building and operating renewable energy assets in North America. These BESS projects will help the province of Ontario support renewable electricity generation, build resiliency in the grid, and help lower emissions compared to conventional sources.”

The press release further revealed some critical details of the loan, illustrated below:

  1. The loan is backed by a first-ranking security interest on all assets of the borrower, excluding shares in the ProjectCos.
  2. The borrower, a fully-owned subsidiary of SolarBank, holds a 50% indirect interest in the ProjectCos. The remaining 50% is owned by a partnership with First Nations communities in Ontario.

This financing will cover development and construction costs for the projects. Additionally, SolarBank is also working on securing a larger financing package to fully fund the construction of their projects.

                                              SolarBank’s AchievementsSolarBank PortfolioSource: SolarBank

Factors Driving Market Growth

Although Asia Pacific is the key player in the BESS market, U.S., the market is also booming. One main reason is the adoption of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Fortune Business Insights says:

  • The global market size was USD 18.20 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 114.05 billion by 2032. Essentially, the U.S. battery energy storage market is projected to reach $31.36 billion in the same forecast period.

battery energy storage system US

Efforts to improve grid stability and resilience through clean energy solutions will further fuel demand for battery energy storage systems (BESS). This includes merging lower carbon emissions options like BESS with renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Together they can become the prime alternatives to fossil fuels.

Additionally, a surge in investments and supportive government policies is driving significant growth in the industry. These factors are creating a strong foundation for the expansion of battery energy storage systems worldwide.

Another reason behind renewable energy companies turning to battery energy storage is the cost advantages. In today’s energy transition, solar and wind are abundant and often more affordable than coal and other fossil fuels. Additionally, the cost of solar and battery energy storage has dropped by 85% over the past decade, making these solutions even more feasible and demanding.

SolarBank noted,

  • The North American solar PV market was valued at US $25.02 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach US $120.74 billion by 2027; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21.7% from 2020 to 2027.

Assessing Potential Project Risks

While the BES project presents growth opportunities, it also has certain risks. Development depends on securing necessary permits and maintaining access to third-party financing. Construction risks and potential delays could also impact progress.

Additionally, changes in government policies and reductions in incentives for battery energy storage could make such projects less viable in the future. Despite these challenges, SolarBank is determined to advance its renewable energy goals.

SolarBank Corporation: Powering the Future with Solar Energy

SolarBank Corporation is a full-service solar energy developer driving innovation and sustainability across North America. With over 250 MW of development opportunities in New York and Maryland since 2017, the company is a leader in commercial, industrial, and community solar solutions in the U.S.

In Canada, the company made huge progress by participating in the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) program under the Green Energy Act. Most importantly, their success came from small FIT solar projects, including rooftop and ground-mounted installations.

                                     Strong Visibility to Continued GrowthSolarBank solar energy Battery energy storageSource: SolarBank

Expanding Renewable Horizons

SolarBank is now part of IESO’s first Long-Term Request for Proposals (E-LT1 RFP and LT1 RFP). This initiative targets 4,000 MW of new, year-round dispatchable electricity capacity from cutting-edge technologies like BESS.

The company has already entered the electric vehicle (EV) charging market as a service provider to business and residential customers. Thus, with years of expertise, they have become a trusted partner for ESG-focused businesses, driving advancements in energy storage, EV charging, and solar solutions to support their Net-Zero goals.

                                     A Decade of Strong Revenue GrowthSolarBank solar energy battery energy storageSource: SolarBank

In conclusion, the financial backup and a clear growth trajectory SolarBank can make a remarkable impact on the battery energy storage sector.

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Alaska Energy Metals Expands Higher-Grade Mineralization and Unveils Promising Targets at Eureka Deposit

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Alaska Energy Metals Expands Higher-Grade Mineralization and Unveils Promising Targets at Eureka Deposit

Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (AEMC) continues to make significant progress at its flagship Nikolai Project in central Alaska. The company has announced exciting results from its 2024 drilling program, which extended the higher-grade core zone by 600 meters to the southeast and revealed coarse-grained magmatic sulfides—a new target for exploration.

These developments further strengthen AEMC Eureka Deposit’s position as a potential major source of critical minerals essential for clean energy and national security applications.

Its flagship Nikolai Project is a large-scale, polymetallic deposit with significant potential to support America’s clean energy transition. The nickel company also holds the Angliers-Belleterre project in Quebec, targeting high-grade nickel-copper sulfide deposits and potential white hydrogen production.

AEMC Nikolai Project – Property Location Map

AEMC Nikolai project location map

Striking Gold—And Nickel: AEMC Expands Its High-Grade Core Zone

AEMC’s 2024 resource expansion drilling program consisted of four diamond drill holes, totaling 1,597.6 meters, per the company’s press release. Results from two of these holes—EZ-24-009 and EZ-24-010—were recently released, delivering highly encouraging outcomes.

AEMC Eureka 2024 drill completed

AEMC drill hole location map

Here are the summaries of the results for each drill:

Hole EZ-24-009

  • Intersected 308.2 meters of polymetallic mineralization at 0.30% NiEq (nickel equivalent), including a 67.3-meter higher-grade core grading 0.39% NiEq.
  • Discovered a 5.3-meter zone of coarse-grained magmatic sulfides grading 0.63% NiEq, with a peak interval of 0.9 meters at 0.95% NiEq.
  • Extended the high-grade core zone by 600 meters to the southeast, increasing its total strike length to 2 kilometers.
  • Provided a new exploration target with sulfide mineralization near a gabbroic dike.

Hole EZ-24-010

  • Intersected 320.8 meters of polymetallic mineralization at 0.31% NiEq, including a 72.5-meter higher-grade core grading 0.39% NiEq.
  • Confirmed mineralization extends further southeast, showing similar grades and thickness as EZ-24-009.
  • Highlighted consistent mineralization, enhancing the deposit’s bulk-tonnage potential.
  • Detected a downhole electromagnetic anomaly below the hole, warranting further investigation.

These results extended the strike length of the high-grade core zone to around 2 kilometers, significantly beyond the limits of the current Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). This discovery is expected to drive a substantial increase in the AEMC’s indicated resource.

A New Target Emerges: Coarse-Grained Sulfides

The most exciting discovery from this campaign is the identification of coarse-grained magmatic sulfides in EZ-24-009. Located near a gabbroic dike, these sulfides suggest a potential remobilized or coarser mineralization component within the Eureka Zone.

AEMC Coarse-grained magmatic sulfides

Alaska Energy Metals Chief Geologist Gabe Graf noted, 

“Drilling results continue to show the continuity and homogeneity of the Eureka Zone. With results from the remaining two drill holes anticipated soon, we can begin calculating an updated Mineral Resource Estimate. For the first time, coarse-grained magmatic sulfides were intersected and are being considered as an additional future exploration target.”

The sulfides could hold key insights into the geologic processes shaping the deposit, offering opportunities to uncover higher-grade zones and expand the resource base further.

The Expanding Promise of the Eureka Deposit

The results from EZ-24-009 and EZ-24-010 confirm the homogeneity of the Eureka Zone’s mineralization, highlighting its bulk-tonnage potential. The consistent grades and thick mineralized intersections reflect a robust system that is both predictable and scalable.

The remaining two drill holes (EZ-24-011 and EZ-24-012) are expected to provide additional data, potentially unlocking further extensions of the core zone. These findings will be incorporated into an updated MRE, which is already anticipated to reflect significant resource growth.

Strategic Importance of the Nikolai Project

The Nikolai Project is strategically located in Interior Alaska, benefiting from proximity to existing transportation and power infrastructure. This positions it as a highly accessible source of critical minerals, reducing logistical challenges often faced by remote projects.

The Eureka Deposit is particularly valuable due to its rich polymetallic profile, containing:

  • Nickel, cobalt, chromium, platinum, and palladium: Designated critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies and electric vehicle batteries.
  • Copper: A critical material for renewable energy systems and electrification.
  • Iron and gold: Additional contributors to the deposit’s economic viability.

Remarkably, four of these materials are classified as Defense Production Act Title III materials, emphasizing their importance to U.S. national security.

Sustainable Mining Meets Strategic Importance: AEMC’s Vision for North America

AEMC prioritizes sustainability and adheres to stringent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. This commitment is reflected in its exploration and resource development processes, which focus on minimizing environmental impact while delivering value to stakeholders.

The company’s quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) protocols ensure the integrity of its data. Drill core samples are carefully processed and analyzed at SGS Laboratories, with rigorous oversight to prevent contamination and ensure accuracy.

For its next steps, AEMC’s immediate focus includes finalizing assays for the remaining drill holes and updating the MRE to reflect the expanded strike length and newly discovered sulfide mineralization. Additionally, the coarse-grained sulfides will undergo detailed evaluation as a priority exploration target.

These efforts align with AEMC’s strategy to advance the Nikolai Project as a major domestic source of strategic energy-related metals for North America.

All in all, Alaska Energy Metals Corporation is rapidly advancing its flagship project, demonstrating a combination of resource expansion, innovative discoveries, and sustainable practices. The extension of the higher-grade core zone and the identification of coarse-grained sulfides mark significant milestones for AEMC. It further strengthens the company’s position as a key player in the critical minerals space.

 

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Xpansiv Powers Carbon Removals Trading with CBL Spot Exchange

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Xpansiv

Xpansiv, one of the most reputed companies in market infrastructure and environmental commodities announced the launching of innovative tools that will enhance trading and management of carbon removal credits. Xpansiv users can now trade these credits as a distinct market segment on the CBL Spot Exchange, which is the world’s largest spot exchange platform for carbon credits.

The company highlighted,

“The new capabilities streamline full-lifecycle workflows for removal credits, which are treated separately under various existing and proposed voluntary and compliance programs.”

Xpansiv: Powering the Global Energy Transition

Xpansiv provides critical infrastructure to drive the energy transition. It operates the largest spot exchange for environmental commodities, including carbon credits and renewable energy certificates, and leads in registry services for energy and environmental markets.

Some significant achievements include:

  • Managing North America’s top platform for buying and selling solar renewable energy credits.
  • Offering transaction and advisory services in global carbon and renewable energy markets through its Carbon Financial Services and Evolution Markets units.

Significantly, Xpansiv strengthens its global reputation in climate solutions with the trust and support of prominent investors. To name them, Blackstone Group, S&P Global Ventures, Aware Super, BP Ventures, Commonwealth Bank, the Australian Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Aramco Ventures are backing Xpansiv.

Now coming to the most unique feature of its portfolio, Xpansiv Connect™. It is a highly sophisticated tool that simplifies environmental asset management with a “multi-registry and multi-asset portfolio” system. The press release revealed that Xpansiv has upgraded its features which are explained below. 

The Latest Upgrade: Xpansiv Connect™ Portfolio Management System

To make trading more user-friendly, the company introduced the modified version- Xpansiv Connect™ Portfolio Management System. This platform will allow environmental commodity market participants to manage multi-registry carbon removal positions in one unified view. Notably, it can handle one billion asset transfers annually and offer seamless workflow integration for the markets.

Xpansiv Connect™ Portfolio Management System

Xpansiv Connect

Expanding Access to Tagged Credits

Xpansiv’s infrastructure supports both nature-based and technological removal credits. The new features make it easier for participants to trade tagged removal credits from registries like ACR, Climate Action Reserve, and Verra on CBL. The platform recently added removal credits from Puro.earth and plans to integrate more registries.

Russell Karas, Senior Vice President, Xpansiv, said

“We developed these new trading and portfolio management segmentation capabilities in response to customer interest in removals as a distinct market segment. The registry tagging capabilities we are using for removals is of growing importance to enable participants to identify and track credit eligibilities corresponding to a proliferating range of voluntary and compliance programs and meta-standards, including the ICVCM Core Carbon Principles, CORSIA, and Article 6. We are pleased to streamline this complicated tracking challenge for participants across our seamless market infrastructure.”

With all these advancements, Xpansiv is making it easier for businesses to engage with carbon removal markets. This way they can also meet their sustainability goals and contribute to a lower-carbon future.

Anew Climate Credits Now Available for Trading

Among the newly available credits are 75,000 nature-based removal credits from Anew Climate, a leading U.S. project developer. The company also has offices in Canada, Spain, and Hungary.

These credits originate from three projects focused on forest restoration and management. Subsequently, each project contributes to significant carbon removal while promoting biodiversity and forest health.

The Bayfield County Forest Carbon Project spans 159,656 acres in Wisconsin and is the first forest carbon project on county lands. It reduces timber harvests and adopts sustainable practices, prioritizing carbon storage. Notably, this approach has inspired other countries to launch similar projects.

Secondly, the Iron County Forestry Project covers 156,517 acres of hardwood forest in Wisconsin. Carbon payments support reduced timber harvesting, fund land acquisition, and protect habitats for species like the Connecticut Warbler.

Lastly, the Kanawha River Forestry Project manages 80,724 acres in West Virginia. Aurora Sustainable Lands owns this high-biodiversity area near the Kanawha River. It preserves forests to store carbon and improves watershed health.

These forest restoration projects demonstrate Anew’s efforts to reduce or offset carbon footprints, restore ecosystems, and deliver economic and climate benefits across private and public sectors.

Thus, it’s evident how efficiently Xpansiv is driving the global energy transition with its innovative infrastructure and transparency. Last but not least, with Xpansiv leading the way, the future of environmental markets and climate solutions holds great promise.

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