How Carbon Credits Can Increase Land Conservation Efforts

Carbon Credits
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How Carbon Credits Can Increase Land Conservation Efforts

For years, timber harvests and development opportunities have been a source of income for landowners worldwide. Carbon credits are changing that.

One metric ton of carbon is offset from the atmosphere for every carbon credit purchased. This happens through an environmental project, such as reforestation.

The more carbon credits purchased, the greener a company can be – which is why the industry is booming.

But there is another benefit here.

Revenue from carbon offsets could provide $250 billion annually for conservation efforts.

This means landowners can now receive compensation for conserving land instead of destroying it. So, carbon credits may, in fact, encourage conservation.

For land to qualify, it must be at risk of harvest or conversion. Landowners then sign an agreement to ensure they are committed to seeing these environmental projects through.

This makes sure that landowners are in it for the long haul. They cannot just sign up and then sell out.

According to the World Economic Forum, forest carbon projects undergo an intense verification process to help meet goals. It takes almost two years before their credits even hit the marketplace. So, the incentive to stick with this long-term is there.

There are decades of research used to let us know just how much carbon can be sequestered through a forest.

Then, a year after landowners sign their agreement, tree growth is checked to see if it is on track with projections. Only then are carbon credits issued.

Critics have always claimed that the lack of oversight within the carbon credit industry was why they could not support it.

However, increased ways to verify carbon sequestration are beginning to change that. Plus, leaders at COP26 have agreed on a global standard, putting many concerns to rest.

As more landowners take on sustainable forest projects, conservation has a chance.

Shell & EKI Energy to Invest $1.6 Billion in Carbon Credits

Carbon Credits
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Shell & EKI Energy to Invest $1.6 Billion in Carbon Credits

Royal Dutch Shell has partnered up with EKI Energy from India to develop nature-based solutions for carbon capture.

The JV is expected to invest $1.6 Billion over a 5-year period to develop 155 million Carbon Credits.

EKI Energy, is the largest carbon credit developer and supplier from the developing world. They currently serve over 2,500 corporate customers with ~70% based in India.

The JV will work on conserving, enhancing, and restoring natural ecosystems such as grasslands, wetlands, forests, agriculture, and blue carbon.

Shell has set a target to become a net-zero emission energy business by 2050.

The carbon credits generated from these projects can be used either by Shell for its internal consumption or to sell in the open market.

A carbon credit is a certificate signifying that one tonne of carbon dioxide emission has been reduced from the atmosphere.

This can be done through nature solutions, such as planting trees, or through industrial applications such as using carbon-reducing agents at emission points.

These carbon credits can be traded to help more polluting entities meet increasingly stringent carbon-emission norms.

Shell and EKI have signed on the exclusivity clause in contract to form the JV.

The carbon credits generated from the projects the JV undertakes will be shared in proportion to the investment Shell or EKI makes.

If Shell invests 75% of the capital in a project, it will get 75% of the carbon credits generated from it.

Positive sentiment driving this share is due to the growth of net-zero commitments being made as the world focuses on lowering the carbon footprint.

Increased Demand for Carbon Offsets in Asia

Carbon Credits
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Increased Demand for Carbon Offsets in Asia

Demand for carbon offsets in Asia is increasing across the global supply chain, IT, and banking industries.

Many companies want to lower their carbon footprint, especially after COP26. One way they are doing this is through the use of carbon offsets.

Carbon offsets are when a company offsets its carbon emissions by buying carbon credits. One metric ton of carbon is offset by an environmental project for every carbon credit bought.

Simply put, one carbon credit equals one metric ton of carbon.

With no global standard, offsets were often criticized. But that has now changed.

At COP26, leaders agreed to:

  • Set a global standard to create, account for, and verify carbon credits. This will help prevent double counting. It will also improve the quality of offset projects.
  • Allow certified emissions reductions (CERs) to be traded through Internationally Transferred Mitigation outcomes (ITMOs).
  • Provide countries with the choice to use or sell offsets to other countries.

With these changes, companies see the potential of the carbon offset industry, causing it to boom. But that isn’t all. Demand for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) is increasing as well.

RECs are just like carbon credits – except their focus is on renewable energy. One REC equals one megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable electricity with RECs.

Singapore-based T-REC.ai is one of eight companies approved by the US to register and verify RECs.  Demand has reached 20 million RECs – accounting for half of the city-state’s power consumption.

However, demand was so high, they could only fulfill orders for 500,000 certificates.

Kang Jen Wee, founder and CEO of the exchange told Reuters that the company was working to register more renewable power suppliers.

Global companies want their suppliers across Asia to purchase RECs to offset emissions. Right now, the price ranges from $3 – $30 per REC.

Kang believes the exchange will grow by 10 million RECs next year. He expects it to reach 100 million by 2025.

Blockchain Carbon Credit Token Lists on Coinbase

Carbon Credits
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Blockchain Carbon Credit Token Lists on Coinbase

Moss (MCO2), a blockchain carbon credit token company, recently listed on one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges, Coinbase.

Moss is a Brazilian startup that created the first carbon credit-backed token used to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

Since then, Moss has processed about $20 million in transactions and has assisted in the conservation of ~735 million trees in the Amazon through internationally verified and audited programs.

The MCO2 Token is equal to one carbon credit, or one metric ton of CO2 that is no longer emitted into the atmosphere as a result of REDD and REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) program.

MCO2 has already been employed by over 300 companies worldwide. Moss recently provided the offsets for One River Asset Management’s carbon-neutral bitcoin fund.

Moss has also collaborated with Brazil’s largest airline, GOL, to allow its customers to offset their emissions by purchasing the MCO2 token.

Gol has the world’s fifth-largest Boeing fleet and transports over 20 million passengers per year.

This collaboration amounts to more than 2.3 million MCO2 exchanged, or more than 2% of the total volume of carbon credits traded globally each year.

Honeywell Carbon Capture Partnership with University of Texas

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Honeywell Carbon Capture Partnership with University of Texas

Honeywell and the University of Texas at Austin have partnered together to drive down the cost of carbon capture from power plants and heavy industry.

The UT Austin team has created a system that will improve carbon capture performance.

This makes the process more efficient for industries such as steel, cement, chemical plants, coal, natural gas, and bio-energy power plants.

The licensing agreement with Honeywell enables UT Austin to commercially scale & make major contributions toward zero emissions.

The difference between UT Austin’s system and others is that they utilize an advanced solvent. This technology can be used within existing plants or included within new systems.

This can make carbon capture less expensive and more efficient.

Honeywell is capturing, storing, and utilizing approximately 15 million tons of carbon per year – with the potential to capture 40 million tons annually.

They are committed to reaching carbon-neutral operations and facilities by 2035.

Like carbon offset projects, Carbon Capture and Storage projects (CCS) are growing in popularity.

In 2020 alone, CCS projects captured and stored 40 million metric tons of carbon. However, to meet new emissions goals, CCS must increase to 840 million metric tons by 2030.

While increasing CCS project capacity 20x seems like a challenge, partnerships such as Honeywell and UT Austin can help get us there.

UT Austin has been a leader in carbon capture research for more than 20 years.

Wall Street’s Carbon Crisis

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Wall Street’s Carbon Crisis

A new report shows that Wall Street is the fifth-largest carbon emitter, coming in just after Russia and before Indonesia.

In 2020, 8 of the largest US Banks and 10 of the largest US asset managers financed $2 billion tons of carbon emissions.

Though major corporations have shared their support for net-zero initiatives, the “Wall Street’s Carbon Bubble” report by the Sierra Club and the Center for American Progress (CAP) says it isn’t enough.

Some banks are continuing to fund oil and heavy industries, but many have joined the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) to limit their investment in heavy emitters.

“If left unaddressed, climate change could lead to a financial crisis larger than any in living memory,” said Andres Vinelli, vice president of economic policy at CAP.

According to Insurer Swiss Re, the global economy could lose 18% of current GDP by 2048 if no action against climate change is taken. So, whether you are an environmentally-conscious investor or not, there is cause for concern.

The report went on to say that financial institutions across the 20 largest economies have $22 trillion worth of assets within carbon-intensive sectors.

Following the report’s release, SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw acknowledged the concerns expressed but drew attention to actions taken at COP26.

Many public companies have pledged to reach net-zero with world leader support.

However, she did say, “It’s sometimes unclear to me how companies will achieve these goals. Nor is it clear that companies will provide investors with the information they need to assess the merits of these pledges and to monitor their implementation over time.”

Crenshaw added that “metrics calculated using reliable and comparable methodologies that enable investors to decide whether companies mean what they say” will play a significant role moving forward.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is looking at more rigid climate reporting rules from publicly traded companies, including banks.

A ruling could take place as soon as next year.

Shipping Industry Insurance Companies Join the Net-zero Movement

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Shipping Industry Insurance Companies Join the Net-zero Movement

Six of the world’s major marine insurers have undertaken a ground-breaking project to give carbon emissions transparency and promote the shipping industry’s green transition.

The Poseidon Principles for Maritime Insurance (PPMI) establishes a methodology for quantifying and disclosing the climate alignment of marine insurers’ underwriting portfolios.

This aims at developing a sector-specific methodology to support the ambition of the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA).

NZIA members have committed to transitioning their underwriting portfolios to net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

This is in line with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) who adopted a zero-emissions target by 2050 at the COP 26 climate summit.

Signatories to the PPMI have committed to assessing and disclosing the climate alignment of their hull and machinery portfolios.

They have also benchmarked their alignment with two initial pathways:

  1. A 50% reduction in annual CO2 emissions by 2050 compared to 2008 (this is in line with the IMO’s Initial GHG Strategy)
  2. A 100% reduction in emissions by 2050.

Members include: Swiss Re, Gard, Hellenic Hull Management, SCOR, Victor International, and the Norwegian Hull Club.

More marine insurers are anticipated to join in the not-too-distant future.

Finite Carbon Launches Carbon Credit Program for Canada

Carbon Credits
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Finite Carbon Launches Carbon Credit Program for Canada

Finite Carbon, North America’s leading developer and supplier of forest carbon credits recently launched a forest carbon credit program in Canada.

Last year BP purchased a majority stake in Finite Carbon for an undisclosed amount.

Finite has generated over 1/3rd of all compliance offset supply and delivered more than $800 Million to landowners. Their project portfolio is over 3.1 million acres across the US and is now expanding to Canada.

The new Canadian program will allow forestland owners and First Nations to receive revenue from the carbon credit sales.

The owners will be able to manage their lands independently to remove and store CO2 across Canada’s vast forestlands.

Canada has 9% of the world’s forests and this effort can help significantly to the worldwide Net Zero movement.

This new program is in response to the American Carbon Registry’s recent Methodology for Improved Forest Management (IFM) on Canadian Forestlands (ACR).

The new framework allows for carbon credit project development, registration, and verification of emission reductions.

This is a new pathway for privately held Canadian forestlands to play a role in carbon reductions has opened up.

It is open to all Canadian landowners who are not subject to provincial or federal forest management restrictions.

Finite is also launching a platform for smaller landowners with as little as 40 acres.

Elysian Carbon Management Secures $350M

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Elysian Carbon Management Secures $350M

Earlier this month, Elysian Carbon Management secured a $350 million investment from EnCap Flatrock Midstream (EFM).

Elysian provides integrated, full-service carbon capture and storage solutions across industries and power facilities.

The funds will allow Elysian to focus on developing integrated carbon capture and storage solutions. The overall goal is to reduce carbon emissions by at least 10 million metric tons per year.

EnCap Flatrock Midstream was formed in 2008 and manages nearly $9 billion in assets. They are based in San Antonio, with Oklahoma City and Houston offices.

As more companies seek ways to offset their carbon emissions – the carbon capture and storage industry is expected to increase – just like the carbon credit industry.

EFM Managing Partner David J. Kurtz, a member of the Elysian board of directors, said, “Elysian is at the forefront of developing projects necessary to support carbon reduction goals across North America. Few independent teams in this nascent sector have a comparable depth and breadth of the technical, financial, and operational experience needed to bring CCS projects to fruition.”

As the climate crisis continues, carbon capture, carbon storage, and carbon offsets will be needed to help mitigate environmental risk. Continued partnerships, such as Elysian and EFM, will help make environmental, social, and governance goals attainable.

Energy CEO Skeptical of Carbon Capture

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Energy CEO Skeptical of Carbon Capture

Francesco Starace, CEO of Enel, a multinational Italian energy firm, isn’t so sure about carbon capture and storage.

He suggests that it is not a solution to the climate change crisis.

Carbon capture aims to stop CO2 from reaching the atmosphere by keeping it underground in geological formations, but Starace sees it differently.

“We have tried and tried — and when I say ‘we,’ I mean the electricity industry,” Starace told CNBC.

“You can imagine, we tried hard in the past 10 years — maybe more, 15 years — because if we had a reliable and economically interesting solution, why would we go and shut down all these coal plants [when] we could decarbonize the system?”

“The fact is, it doesn’t work; it hasn’t worked for us so far,” he said. “And there is a rule of thumb here: If a technology doesn’t really pick up in five years — and here we’re talking about more than five, we’re talking about 15, at least — you better drop it.”

Starace went on to say that there is one solution.

“Basically, stop emitting carbon.”

Though Starace has not seen much success with carbon capture and storage within his own industry, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have a role to play.

Like carbon offsets – carbon capture and storage should be used alongside new technologies that reduce carbon emissions, not just neutralize, or capture them.

The carbon offset industry continues to grow – and with COP26 leaders setting a global standard, experts believe it will be integral in helping companies meet increasing regulations.

Alongside Starace’s announcement, Enel has moved its net-zero target date from 2050 to 2040. They expressed a desire to exit coal generation by 2027 and gas by 2040.

Per Starace, “We’re saying we’re going to be zero carbon, which means we’re not going to emit carbon.”

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