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Scientists say atmospheric levels of damaging gases peaked five years ahead of projections, as substances phased out

International efforts to protect the ozone layer have been a “huge global success”, scientists have said, after revealing that damaging gases in the atmosphere were declining faster than expected.

The Montreal protocol, signed in 1987, aimed to phase out ozone-depleting substances found primarily in refrigeration, air conditioning and aerosol sprays.

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Verra’s consolidated methodology for REDD+ could still see voluntary carbon project developers use inside knowledge to cherry pick forests that are unlikely to be chopped down, because they have been overlooked in the jurisdictional maps used to assess the risk of deforestation, warns a new academic paper.

Conservationists criticise ‘disappointing’ and ‘dangerous’ move to allow harpooning of fin whales after curbs last year

Iceland has granted a licence to Europe’s last whaling company to kill more than 100 animals this year, despite hopes the practice might have been halted after concerns about cruelty led to a temporary suspension last year.

Animal rights groups described the news as “deeply disappointing” and “dangerous”.

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Kenya, a regional frontrunner in the voluntary market (VCM), has announced plans to facilitate carbon project development on flower farms to mitigate emissions and increase foreign exchange earnings for the country, according to local media.

The increasing disclosure requirements placed on companies under the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) from next year will help to inform investment decision making and level the playing field in terms of what companies disclose, a sustainability executive said at a conference today.

Coal and gas-fired power plant owners say interim target an important step to net zero by 2050

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The owners of Australian coal and gas-fired power plants have joined the country’s leading business groups in saying the Coalition should keep Labor’s 2030 climate target if it wins the next election.

The Australian Energy Council, which represents electricity companies and gas wholesalers and retailers, the Business Council of Australia and the Australian Industry Group said maintaining an interim target – legislated as a 43% cut compared with 2005 levels – was an important step in getting to net zero emissions by mid-century.

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European plastics producers are looking to the inclusion of waste incineration in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) for further impetus to boost recycling and cut emissions - but incinerators worry they will bear the brunt of the new carbon costs. 

A firm providing insurance to buyers of voluntary carbon credits, offering payouts for non-delivery either in cash or in kind, has added over a dozen new project developers to its supplier pool.

In the run-up to July's general election, the Guardian video team is touring the UK looking at the issues that matter to voters. After swimmers and rowers fell sick from sewage discharges into the River Thames we went to the seat of Henley and Thame to see how environmental concerns rank for voters in a seat that has been Conservative for more than 100 years

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Microsoft has continued to ramp up its voluntary removal purchases as part of its plan to become carbon negative by 2030, adding nearly 1 million nature-based units to its portfolio as part of a deal announced Tuesday.

The first company from an emerging economy, and only the second overall, has announced a Platinum Claim under the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI), which certifies ‘high-integrity’ statements about corporate use of carbon credits to address residual emissions.

Carbon stored through biochar may remain in the soil or certain materials for decades, centuries, or even millennia, making it a valid option for the upcoming EU certification methodology if stricter rules apply, according to a study.

Halting overfishing can make a huge difference in tackling climate change, as the practice poses significant threats to the ocean's ability to store CO2 and preserve ecosystems, a study released on Tuesday has shown.

European carbon prices were little changed at midday on Tuesday, holding steady in the relatively narrow price channel they have occupied in recent days, as traders reported technical-driven trading focused on the approaching options expiry.

A major European industrial conglomerate says it has taken a major step towards net zero manufacturing at a factory in Bulgaria, largely driven by energy optimisation measures.

An insurance provider has launched a new product to safeguard the purchase of carbon credits in case they are cancelled or invalidated as a result of political risks such as regulatory changes or the impact of weather on carbon projects, it announced on Tuesday.

Governments will soon be able to receive emissions reductions validation via a new policy crediting pilot launched by Gold Standard on Tuesday, with the units expected to be tradable as ITMOs under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

An Australian soil carbon tech developer on Tuesday announced a complete review of its carbon business due to what it described as “disappointing results to date” and the departure of its managing director and CEO.

Anthony Albanese says Australia is 'very much on track' to meet the Paris agreement's 2030 emissions reductions targets. Speaking at Parliament House this afternoon, he labelled opposition leader Peter Dutton’s comments about climate policy 'rather extraordinary'

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• Coalition won’t reveal 2030 emissions target unless it wins election, Peter Dutton says

• Peter Dutton’s plans will breach the Paris agreement on climate – that much is clear

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Maharlika Carbon, which hosts the Philippines’ Article 6 registry, on Tuesday issued a call for nature-based, biodiversity, renewable energy, and green technology projects across the Philippines to register on its platform for participation in environmental markets.