Canada’s Giant Nickel Mine Could Remove 1.5 Million Tons of CO₂ Every Year

Jennifer L
-
0
Canada’s Giant Nickel Mine Could Remove 1.5 Million Tons of CO₂ Every Year

Canada has approved one of its biggest critical minerals projects. The federal government has given the green light to the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project in Ontario. The mine is being developed by Canada Nickel Company and could become one of the world’s largest producers of nickel while also storing large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂).

The approval follows a federal impact assessment. It includes 371 legally binding conditions. These cover environmental protection, Indigenous participation, water quality, wildlife, and long-term monitoring.

The project is also expected to deliver major economic benefits. According to Canada Nickel, Crawford could create about 5,000 jobs during construction and around 1,300 permanent jobs once the mine begins operating.

The company estimates the project could contribute more than C$70 billion to Canada’s economy over its operating life. Construction could begin after the remaining provincial permits are secured.

Mining Nickel While Pulling Carbon From the Air

Crawford is different from most mining projects. Instead of only producing minerals, the mine is designed to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Canada Nickel states that the project could achieve permanent storage of up to 1.5 million metric tons of CO₂ each year during operations through a process called mineral carbonation.

The mine contains large amounts of ultramafic rock, which naturally reacts with carbon dioxide. When exposed to air, these rocks slowly lock CO₂ into stable carbonate minerals. This keeps the carbon stored for thousands of years without needing underground injection or long-term monitoring.

The company plans to speed up this natural process using its proprietary In-Process Tailings (IPT) Carbonation technology. Instead of treating mine waste as a problem, Crawford will use it to capture carbon while producing nickel.

Canada Nickel Crawford project
Source: Canada Nickel

Canada Nickel claims this could make Crawford one of the first net-zero nickel mines. It might even become one of the few mining projects that can go carbon negative over time.

Canada Nickel CEO Mark Selby said:

“Today’s decision recognizes the strategic importance of responsibly developing Canada’s critical mineral resources in partnership with all levels of government and Indigenous Nations while maintaining rigorous environmental standards.”

Why Nickel Is Powering the Clean Energy Boom

The timing is significant. Nickel is one of the world’s most important critical minerals. It’s commonly found in stainless steel. However, demand is growing due to electric vehicles, battery storage, and clean energy technologies.

According to the International Energy Agency, demand for nickel could more than double by 2040 under countries’ current climate commitments. Under the agency’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 plan, demand may rise more as battery production grows.

nickel outlook by the IEA demand 2040
Source: IEA

The United States Geological Survey estimates global nickel mine production reached about 3.7 million metric tons in 2025. Indonesia remained the world’s largest producer, supplying more than half of global output.

Canada ranked among the leading producers and continues to expand its role in supplying critical minerals to North America and Europe. Crawford could strengthen that position.

The project hosts one of the world’s largest nickel sulphide resources. Canada Nickel estimates measured and indicated resources of more than 3.7 billion tonnes, making it the second-largest nickel reserve globally. Unlike laterite deposits, sulphide ores are easier to process. They are also great for making battery-grade nickel.

If successful, Crawford would help supply the growing demand for low-carbon nickel while showing that mining and carbon storage can work together.

global-nickel-production-forecast

Critical Minerals Are Becoming a Climate Priority

Crawford comes at an important time for the global mining industry. Countries are racing to secure supplies of critical minerals needed for the clean energy transition. Nickel is one of the most important because it is used in electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy systems, and stainless steel.

The IEA warns that demand for critical minerals will continue to rise as countries expand clean energy. At the same time, many governments want these minerals to come from cleaner and more reliable sources.

Canada is well positioned to benefit. The Canadian government has identified nickel as a strategic mineral under its Critical Minerals Strategy. Crawford supports that goal by increasing domestic production while lowering emissions from mining.

Canada critical mineral reserves vs production

The project also fits Canada’s broader climate target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40% to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

Can the Mining Industry Become Carbon Negative?

Mining has long been linked to high emissions. Producing the metals needed for clean energy often requires large amounts of fuel and electricity.

New data from the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) show that mining and metals together produced about 11% of global Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Mining accounted for 3%, while metal processing contributed another 8%.

global mining ghg emissions 2024 ICMM

That has raised concerns about whether the energy transition simply shifts emissions from one industry to another.

Projects like Crawford could help change that. By combining nickel production with permanent carbon storage, the project aims to lower the carbon footprint of mining instead of adding to it. Canada Nickel also plans to produce the following through its planned NetZero Metals processing facility:

  • NetZero Nickel™,
  • NetZero Cobalt™, and
  • NetZero Iron™.

The company says this could supply manufacturers looking for lower-carbon materials for batteries, vehicles, and steel. If successful, Crawford could become a model for future mines built on ultramafic rock deposits around the world.

A New Direction for Low-Carbon Mining

Crawford is more than another nickel mine. It shows how mining companies are beginning to combine critical mineral production with climate solutions. Instead of treating carbon as a by-product, the project plans to capture and permanently store it while producing the metals needed for the clean energy economy.

However, many challenges remain. The company still needs provincial approvals and must prove the carbon capture technology works at full commercial scale. It also needs to deliver the project on time and within budget.

Still, the opportunity is significant. As governments and manufacturers look for cleaner supplies of critical minerals, projects that produce metals while removing carbon could gain a competitive advantage.

For Canada Nickel, Crawford is a chance to build one of the world’s largest nickel mines. For the mining industry, it could show that the next generation of critical mineral projects can help support both the energy transition and global climate goals.

Microsoft Bets on Wastewater to Power the Next Wave of Carbon Removal

Jennifer L
-
0
Microsoft Bets on Wastewater to Power the Next Wave of Carbon Removal

Microsoft is adding another technology to its growing carbon removal portfolio. The company has agreed to purchase up to 23,602 carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits from U.S.-based startup CREW Carbon. The credits will come from projects that remove carbon while treating wastewater, opening a new pathway for durable carbon removal.

The agreement is small compared with some of Microsoft’s million-ton carbon removal purchases, but it highlights something bigger. The tech giant is continuing to diversify the technologies it supports.

Instead of relying only on direct air capture, biochar, or bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), it is backing newer solutions that could scale faster and lower costs. The deal also shows that wastewater treatment may become an unexpected source of permanent carbon removal.

Phillip Goodman, Carbon Removal Portfolio Director at Microsoft, stated:

“Microsoft’s offtake agreement with CREW supports the advancement of a novel, wastewater-based approach that is highly durable and measurable. CREW has shown that carbon removal in the wastewater sector is implementable and scalable with high Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) certainty.”

Turning Wastewater Into a Carbon Sink: How It Can Lock Away Carbon for Millennia

Wastewater plants are built to treat wastewater, not to remove carbon. CREW Carbon wants to change that.

The company has developed a process that adds alkaline minerals to wastewater. These minerals react with dissolved carbon dioxide and convert it into stable bicarbonate ions that eventually flow into the ocean. There, the carbon can remain stored for thousands of years as part of the natural carbon cycle.

Unlike many engineered carbon removal systems, the process uses existing wastewater infrastructure. Utilities do not need to build entirely new plants. Instead, they can add CREW’s technology to facilities already treating municipal wastewater.

CREW Carbon waste treatment process
Source: CREW Carbon

The company says the process offers another benefit. It can improve wastewater treatment performance while helping utilities lower operating costs. This year, CREW Carbon raised $25 million in Series A funding. The money will help expand its projects to more wastewater treatment plants in North America.

This makes wastewater one of several emerging carbon removal pathways now moving from pilot projects toward commercial deployment.

The agreement builds on CREW’s existing long-term carbon removal deals with major corporate buyers, including JPMorgan, Google, Autodesk, and Stripe through Frontier. Together, these commitments bring CREW’s total contracted carbon removal portfolio to more than $40 million.

Microsoft Keeps Building the World’s Largest Carbon Removal Portfolio

The latest agreement fits Microsoft’s long-term climate strategy. The company has pledged to become carbon-negative by 2030 and remove all the carbon it has emitted since its founding in 1975 by 2050. Those goals require far more than cutting emissions.

The tech giant also needs permanent carbon removal.

Microsoft’s latest carbon removal update shows it has signed contracts for over 78 million metric tons of carbon removal. This includes more than 60 projects and 10 different carbon removal pathways.

In fiscal 2025, it signed contracts for projects to remove over 45 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. These projects cover 29 initiatives across five continents and various carbon removal methods. These methods include direct air capture, biochar, reforestation, enhanced rock weathering, and BECCs.

The company states that these commitments are just a small part of the 7–9 billion metric tons of CO₂ the world needs to remove each year, which is essential to keep global warming near 1.5°C.

microsoft carbon removal contracts 2023-2025

The tech giant has become the world’s largest corporate buyer of durable carbon removal. In 2026 alone, it signed agreements covering:

  • 1 million biochar credits,
  • 626,000 BECCS credits,
  • nearly 37,000 enhanced rock weathering credits, and
  • several direct air capture and mineralization projects.

Carbon Removal Helps Microsoft Address Rising AI Emissions

Microsoft’s growing investment in carbon removal reflects a much bigger climate challenge. The company’s greenhouse gas emissions reached 20.3 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent (MtCO₂e) in fiscal year 2025, up 25% from 16.2 MtCO₂e in 2024. The rise came mainly from the fast growth of AI and cloud infrastructure. New data centers need a lot of steel, cement, semiconductors, and electricity.

Microsoft ghg emissions 2025
Source: Microsoft

Scope 3 emissions remain Microsoft’s biggest source of emissions, accounting for 85.8% of its total carbon footprint in 2025. The largest contributor was capital goods, which made up 44.6% of total emissions. Purchased goods and services added 25.3%, reflecting the carbon-intensive materials and equipment needed to build AI infrastructure.

Despite the increase, Microsoft remains committed to becoming carbon negative by 2030. The company is expanding one of the world’s largest corporate carbon removal portfolios to address emissions that cannot yet be eliminated.

Microsoft states that investing in new technologies, like wastewater carbon removal, will boost future supplies of high-quality carbon credits. This move will also speed up innovation in the industry.

Corporate Demand Is Fueling the Carbon Removal Boom

Microsoft’s latest deal reflects a much bigger trend. Companies are buying more durable carbon removal as they work toward net-zero goals.

According to CDR.fyi, buyers contracted more than 8 million metric tons of durable carbon removal in 2025, setting another annual record. Technology companies remain the biggest buyers because they face growing emissions from AI, cloud computing, and expanding digital infrastructure.

The market still has a long way to go. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that the world must remove billions of tons of CO₂ each year this century. This is needed to balance emissions that are hard to cut. The International Energy Agency (IEA) also says carbon removal will play an important role in reaching global net-zero emissions by 2050.

Investment is rising as well. McKinsey & Company estimates the carbon removal market could grow into a $1.2 trillion industry by 2050 if countries stay on track to meet climate goals.

Could Wastewater Become Carbon Removal’s Next Big Market?

Most carbon removal projects today focus on forests, biochar, direct air capture, or enhanced rock weathering. Wastewater offers another opportunity.

According to the International Energy Agency, the global wastewater sector produces about 2% of energy-related methane emissions. Methane is a strong greenhouse gas. It warms the Earth about 80 times more than carbon dioxide over 20 years, says the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Microsoft carbon removal with CREW Carbon

Using wastewater plants to remove carbon while improving water treatment could create two climate benefits at the same time. Because thousands of wastewater treatment plants already operate worldwide, the technology may also scale faster than solutions that require entirely new facilities.

A New Frontier for Net Zero Climate Finance

Microsoft’s latest purchase is modest compared with its larger carbon removal agreements. But it highlights an important shift in the market.

The company is no longer investing only in proven technologies. It is also helping early-stage carbon removal companies move from pilot projects to commercial deployment. That strategy could speed up innovation while expanding future supplies of durable carbon removal.

For Microsoft, wastewater carbon removal adds another tool to help reach its goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030 and removing its historical emissions by 2050.

For the broader carbon market, the agreement shows that the next generation of carbon removal may come from unexpected places. Alongside forests, biochar, and direct air capture, wastewater could become another important part of the world’s effort to remove carbon permanently and achieve net zero.

Walmart Cuts Emissions 25% as AI, E-Commerce, and Project Gigaton Power Growth

Jennifer L
-
0
Walmart Cuts Emissions 25% as AI, E-Commerce, and Project Gigaton Power Growth

Walmart is showing that even the world’s largest retailer can grow while cutting emissions. The company reported that it has reduced its operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) by 25% from its 2015 baseline. This marks another step toward its goal of becoming a zero-emissions company by 2040.

The climate progress comes as Walmart continues to grow its business. The company is expanding e-commerce, investing in artificial intelligence (AI), improving automation, and building a cleaner logistics network.

Strong Earnings Support Walmart’s Long-Term Growth

Walmart continued its strong performance in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, which ended April 30, 2026. The company reported growth in total revenue and net sales. 

Sales at existing Walmart U.S. stores increased 4.1%. More customers visited stores, and shoppers also spent more during each trip. Operating income increased 5.0%, although higher fuel costs for transportation and deliveries reduced part of the gain.

Walmart’s digital business also kept growing.

Walmart financial results Q1 FY2027
Source: Walmart

Its online marketplace, advertising business, and Walmart+ membership program continue to generate higher profits. At the same time, the company is using AI, automation, and modern fulfillment centers to improve efficiency and serve customers faster.

Today, Walmart serves about 280 million customers and members every week through more than 10,900 stores and e-commerce websites in 19 countries. The company also employs over 2 million associates, making it the world’s largest private employer.

Yet, Walmart’s biggest climate challenge is still ahead.

Unlike many companies, most of Walmart’s emissions do not come from its stores, offices, or trucks. They come from the products it buys, makes, transports, and sells through one of the world’s largest supply chains.

That means it cannot reach its climate goals alone. It also needs thousands of suppliers around the world to reduce their emissions.

Cleaner Stores, Trucks, and Power Are Cutting Emissions

Walmart’s business growth is happening alongside steady progress on climate. According to its latest FY2026 ESG Report, the company has reduced its absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 25% compared with 2015.

Walmart annual GHG emissions 2026
Source: Walmart 2026 ESG Report

Walmart achieved this by buying more renewable electricity, improving energy efficiency, upgrading refrigeration systems, and using cleaner transportation.

Renewable power remains one of Walmart’s biggest tools for cutting emissions.

The company continues to install solar power at its facilities and sign long-term renewable energy agreements. It is also making stores, offices, and distribution centers more energy efficient. Older refrigeration equipment is being replaced with systems that use refrigerants with lower global warming potential and consume less electricity.

By the end of FY2026, 53% of Walmart’s global electricity needs were supplied by renewable sources. This exceeds its 2025 target of 50% and moves the company closer to its goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2035.

Walmart renewable energy capacity 2026
Source: Walmart

The retail giant directly procured 35.0% of its global electricity through renewable energy contracts. Its total clean energy portfolio also reached 5,698 megawatts (MW). This includes 3,386 MW enabled through current FY2026 investments as the company works toward enabling 10 gigawatts (GW) of new clean energy projects by 2030.

Transportation is another major focus.

Walmart is testing battery-electric trucks and hydrogen fuel cell trucks. It is also expanding EV charging stations and using smarter delivery routes to reduce fuel use. These efforts support the company’s goal of operating a zero-emissions fleet by 2040.

Even with this progress, Walmart says its own operations account for only a small part of its total emissions. The much bigger challenge is Scope 3 emissions. These come from the products suppliers manufacture, package, and transport before they reach Walmart stores.

Scope 3 accounts for almost 98% of the retailer’s total GHG emissions at 635 million metric tons of CO2e. Meanwhile, Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions represent only 2% of its entire carbon footprint, totaling only 14.4 MMT CO2e.

Walmart GHG emissions 2026

That is why Walmart is working closely with suppliers. Cutting emissions across its global supply chain could have a much bigger impact than reducing emissions from its own buildings and vehicles alone.

Kathleen McLaughlin, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Walmart, said:

“As well, suppliers engaged through our Project Gigaton platform reported projects since 2017 expected to avoid, reduce, or sequester 1.37 billion metric tons of CO2e through 2030.”

Retail’s Carbon Challenge Starts in the Supply Chain

Walmart is not the only retailer working to lower emissions. The whole retail industry faces the same challenge. Companies must keep prices low, deliver products faster, and reduce emissions at the same time.

Most emissions do not come from stores. They come from making products, moving goods around the world, and delivering orders to customers.

According to the International Energy Agency, freight transport accounts for about 8% of global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. As online shopping continues to grow, moving products efficiently while cutting emissions is becoming more important.

Retailers are also investing more in cleaner transportation. Many are adding electric delivery vehicles, improving warehouse efficiency, and using AI to plan better delivery routes. These changes help lower fuel use, reduce costs, and cut emissions at the same time.

For Walmart, this work supports both its climate goals and its long-term business strategy.

Project Gigaton Is Driving Bigger Emissions Cuts

Walmart knows it cannot reach net zero without its suppliers. That is why Project Gigaton has become one of the company’s biggest climate programs.

The initiative encourages suppliers to reduce emissions across manufacturing, farming, transportation, packaging, waste, and product design.

According to Walmart’s FY2026 ESG Report, suppliers participating in Project Gigaton have now reported almost 1.4 billion metric tons of avoided or reduced greenhouse gas emissions since the program began in 2017. That is one of the largest voluntary supply chain climate programs in the world.

The company is also working with suppliers to expand renewable energy, improve fertilizer use, protect forests, and reduce food waste.

These efforts matter because Scope 3 emissions make up the majority of Walmart’s total carbon footprint, while emissions from its own operations account for only a small share.

Walmart carbon ghg emissions

Can Walmart Reach Net Zero by 2040?

Walmart has made solid progress, but the hardest work still lies ahead.

The company has already reduced its operational emissions by 25% from 2015 levels. It continues to add renewable electricity, improve energy efficiency, modernize refrigeration systems, and test cleaner trucks.

Still, reaching net zero by 2040 will depend mainly on cutting emissions across its global supply chain. That will require thousands of suppliers to switch to cleaner energy, improve manufacturing, and reduce emissions from the products they sell.

However, the company is showing that growing its business while making progress on climate is possible. Revenue continues to increase. E-commerce is expanding quickly. At the same time, Walmart is reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, and helping suppliers lower their carbon footprint.

Overall, Walmart’s latest results suggest that climate action is no longer separate from business growth. It is becoming an important part of staying competitive in modern retail.

Amazon (AMZN) Stock Jumps on Record $200B Q2 Revenue, Fueled by AI Growth and Water-Positive Goals

Saptakee S
-
0
Amazon (AMZN) Stock Jumps on Record $200B Q2 Revenue, Fueled by AI Growth and Water-Positive Goals

Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) had a strong quarter, fueled by growth in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), advertising, and online retail. The company reported higher revenue and profits for Q2 2026 as demand for AI infrastructure surged.

However, Amazon’s big investments in AI pushed free cash flow into negative territory. The company also noted progress on its long-term sustainability goals, including renewable energy, water conservation, and lower-carbon construction materials for its expanding global data center network.

Amazon’s Revenue Tops $200 Billion in Q2

For the quarter ending June 30, 2026, Amazon reported net sales of $200.6 billion, a 20% increase from $167.7 billion last year. Currency fluctuations had little effect, indicating that the business grew by about 20%.

This growth came from all three major segments.

  • North America remained Amazon’s largest market, generating $116.2 billion in sales, up 16% year over year.
  • International sales rose 15% to $42.2 billion, showing steady growth despite a mixed global economy.
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS) led the way with a 37% revenue jump to $42.2 billion, driven by strong demand for cloud computing and AI services.

AWS Continues to Power Amazon’s Growth

AWS was Amazon’s biggest profit driver this quarter.

Operating income from AWS grew to $16.6 billion, up from $10.2 billion a year ago. This division accounted for over half of Amazon’s total operating profit.

  • CEO Andy Jassy noted that AWS saw its fastest growth in over four years. He stated that AWS’s AI business now exceeds a $25 billion annual revenue run rate, alongside Amazon’s custom chip business. Both are growing at triple-digit rates.

The company is expanding its AI offerings with custom silicon, cloud infrastructure, and partnerships, including an investment in AI startup Anthropic.

Operating Profit Climbs Despite Heavy Investment

Amazon’s operating income rose sharply to $27.5 billion, compared to $19.2 billion in Q2 2025. Across its businesses:

  • North America operating income increased to $9.1 billion, from $7.5 billion.
  • International operating income improved to $1.7 billion, from $1.5 billion.
  • AWS operating income jumped to $16.6 billion, from $10.2 billion.

Net income reached $62.6 billion, or $5.75 per diluted share, compared to $18.2 billion, or $1.68 per share, last year.

Much of this increase came from a $53.4 billion pre-tax gain, primarily tied to Amazon’s investment in Anthropic. Excluding this one-time gain, operating performance still showed solid improvement.

amazon revenue
Source: Amazon Press Release

AI Spending Weighs on Free Cash Flow But AMZN Stock Gains 

Despite higher profits, free cash flow turned negative as Amazon ramped up AI infrastructure investments. It showed a $7.6 billion outflow, down from a positive $18.2 billion the previous year.

This decline was largely due to an extra $66.1 billion spent on property and equipment. Most of that went to expanding AI infrastructure, like data centers and custom AI chips.

  • However, operating cash flow over the past year rose 33% to $161.4 billion.

Also, Amazon’s stock (NASDAQ: AMZN) reacted positively to the earnings report.

Shares rose about 9% in after-hours trading, following better-than-expected AWS growth and rising AI revenue. Investors responded well to AWS’s fastest growth in 18 quarters and Amazon’s growing AI business. Some analysts, however, noted that rising AI spending and negative free cash flow are areas to watch.

amazon stock
Source: Yahoo Finance

Q3 2026 Forecast

  • For Q3 2026, Amazon projects net sales between $197 billion and $202 billion, indicating growth of 9% to 12% compared to last year.

The company mentioned that timing differences for Prime Day affect year-over-year comparisons. Excluding these effects, third-quarter revenue growth would be nearly four percentage points higher.

The retail giant also forecasts operating income between $22.5 billion and $26.5 billion, up from $17.4 billion in Q3 2025. This guidance suggests continued demand for cloud computing, AI services, advertising, and e-commerce despite economic uncertainty.

Amazon Advances Water and Renewable Energy Goals

Alongside its financial results, Amazon reported ongoing progress on its environmental commitments. The company stated its global data centers are now more than seven times more water-efficient than the industry average.

It has reached 75% of its goal to become water positive across its global data center operations by 2030. This means returning more water to local communities than the company uses in its operations.

It also announced it achieved water-positive status in India ahead of its 2027 target, marking an important regional milestone.

water positive amazon
Source: Amazon

On clean energy, it matched 100% of the electricity used across its global operations with renewable energy in 2025, reaching this goal five years early. The company has maintained that achievement for three consecutive years, reducing emissions even as electricity demand grows.

Lower-Carbon Materials Help Reduce Construction Emissions

As Amazon expands its global data center footprint, it also aims to lower emissions from construction materials. Some examples include:

  • Built 33 data centers using lower-carbon steel, adding to 67 facilities completed since 2023. It also utilized lower-carbon steel in 22 logistics and operations buildings.
  • Constructed 39 data centers with lower-carbon concrete in 2025, bringing the total to 74 projects since 2023. Another 14 operations buildings also used this material.
  • Increasingly using mass timber in new buildings, with six projects in design or construction in 2025, including a delivery station in Indiana.
  • MUST READ: Rio Tinto and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Join Forces to Supply Low-Carbon Copper for U.S. Data Centers 

Amazon’s Carbon Emissions Continue to Decline

Amazon’s latest sustainability data show it continues to lower its carbon footprint while expanding its business.

In 2024, Amazon reported 68.25 million metric tons of CO₂e across its operations, down from 70.74 million metric tons in 2023 and nearly 17% below its 2021 peak.

The emissions were distributed across three greenhouse gas categories:

  • Scope 1: 4.78 million metric tons CO₂e, mainly from fuel used in transport and operations.
  • Scope 2 (market-based): 0.77 million metric tons CO₂e, reflecting electricity purchases after renewable energy matching.
  • Scope 3: 62.70 million metric tons CO₂e, making up about 92% of Amazon’s total footprint. These emissions come primarily from purchased goods and services, construction materials, and transportation.

The stark difference between Scope 1 and Scope 3 highlights the challenge for Amazon and other tech firms. While renewable electricity cuts operational emissions, most emissions occur in complex global supply chains.

Amazon carbon emissions
Source: Amazon

As Amazon invests billions in AI data centers, reducing embodied carbon in materials like steel and concrete will be crucial for meeting long-term climate goals.

The company aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 under The Climate Pledge, balancing rapid AI growth with investments in renewable energy, water conservation, and lower-carbon infrastructure.

PayPal Expands Its Net Zero Strategy With 3Degrees’ Carbon Removal Portfolio

Jennifer L
-
0
PayPal Expands Its Net Zero Strategy With 3Degrees’ Carbon Removal Portfolio

PayPal, the digital payments company, expands its climate strategy by supporting next-generation carbon removal projects. These include biochar and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). The investments aim to cut emissions that are hard to eliminate and support the growth of the new carbon removal market.

The move reflects a broader shift taking place across corporate climate strategies. Many companies have already reduced emissions through renewable electricity, energy efficiency, and cleaner supply chains.

As those options become harder to expand, attention is turning toward permanent carbon removal to address the remaining emissions needed to reach net zero.

Cullen Mitchell, Sustainability Manager at PayPal, noted:

“As we work toward our 2040 net-zero target, investing in high-durability carbon removals was a vital step for PayPal… [3Degrees enables our company] to confidently invest in high-integrity, diversified carbon removals that fit both our budget and our climate ambitions.”

3Degrees Builds a Diversified Carbon Removal Portfolio

PayPal is investing with 3Degrees, a climate solutions company. Their solutions help businesses cut emissions and create carbon removal portfolios.

3Degrees built a diverse portfolio for PayPal. Instead of buying credits from just one project, it spreads investment across various carbon removal technologies and locations.

The portfolio features Heartyculture Biochar in India. This process turns agricultural waste into biochar, helping lock carbon in soils. It also includes Gevo’s North Dakota BECCS facility. This facility captures carbon dioxide from ethanol production and stores it underground for good.

3Degrees says this varied approach reduces technical and commercial risks. It also helps grow the next generation of lasting carbon removal technologies.

For PayPal, carbon removal is not a replacement for emissions reductions. It is becoming the final piece of a much larger climate strategy.

Years of Emissions Cuts Set the Stage for the Next Move

PayPal has made significant progress in reducing emissions from its own operations. According to its 2025 Global Impact Report, the company has reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by over 80% compared with its 2019 baseline.

PayPal GHG emissions 2025
Source: PayPal

These reductions came from:

  • purchasing renewable electricity,
  • improving office energy efficiency, and
  • reducing emissions from its facilities and operations.

The company has also maintained 100% renewable electricity across its global data centers while continuing to improve the efficiency of its technology infrastructure.

PayPal’s long-term goal is to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2040. The target has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and aligns with limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

The company’s updated transition plan also sets several interim goals by 2030. These include maintaining near-zero operational emissions while reducing supply chain emissions through stronger supplier engagement and cleaner procurement practices.

PayPal Net Zero roadmap and progress 2025
Source: PayPal

Scope 3 Remains PayPal’s Biggest Challenge

Like most technology companies, PayPal has already made strong progress in cutting emissions from its own operations. Its total GHG emissions fell from 515.1 thousand MTCO₂e in 2023 to 478.1 thousand MTCO₂e in 2024. But it rose to 578.6 thousand MTCO₂e again in 2025.

Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions remained relatively low and stable, while the increase in 2025 was driven almost entirely by Scope 3 emissions, as shown in the chart below.

According to its Climate Transition Plan, Scope 3 emissions account for about 98% of PayPal’s total carbon footprint. These emissions come mainly from purchased goods and services, capital equipment, business travel, and employee commuting.

The use of cloud computing and technology services throughout its value chain also contributes.

PayPal 2025 GHG emissions by scope

That means PayPal cannot reach net zero by improving only its own buildings or electricity use. It also needs suppliers to lower their emissions.

To help achieve that goal, the company is working closely with key vendors. PayPal expects strategic suppliers to measure their emissions, set science-based climate targets, and increase their use of renewable electricity. The company is also including climate performance in supplier engagement and procurement decisions.

This reflects a growing trend across the technology industry. As operational emissions continue to fall, supply chain emissions are becoming the biggest obstacle to achieving corporate climate goals.

Why PayPal Is Investing in Carbon Removal

Even with deep emissions cuts, some emissions will remain difficult to eliminate by 2040. These are known as residual emissions. PayPal will focus on high-durability carbon removal instead of just traditional carbon offsets to tackle its remaining emissions.

The company is partnering with 3Degrees, a climate solutions provider, to buy carbon removal. This will support projects that permanently take carbon out of the atmosphere.

Current investments focus on two technologies. The first is biochar, which converts agricultural waste into a stable form of carbon that can remain stored in soils for hundreds of years while improving soil health.

The second is bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). This technology captures carbon dioxide from biomass energy production. It then stores it deep underground, stopping it from going back into the atmosphere.

PayPal states that these investments aim to boost technologies needed to achieve global net-zero goals in the coming decades.

PayPal carbon removal biochar story
Source: PayPal

Durable carbon removal is different from traditional carbon credits. While many credits just aim to avoid future emissions, durable carbon removal actually takes carbon out of the atmosphere. It stores this carbon for a long time.

That makes it one of the fastest-growing areas of the voluntary carbon market.

Carbon Removal Is Becoming a Bigger Climate Investment

PayPal is not alone in backing carbon removal. More companies now see carbon removal as an important tool for reaching net zero. According to CDR.fyi, buyers contracted more than 8 million metric tons of durable carbon removal in 2025, setting another annual record.

Technology companies remain the biggest buyers, including Microsoft, Google, Stripe, Shopify, and Frontier.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says carbon removal will be necessary because some industries, such as aviation, shipping, and heavy manufacturing, will continue to produce emissions even after making deep cuts.

The market is also expected to grow rapidly. McKinsey & Company estimates carbon removal could become a $1.2 trillion market by 2050 as demand rises for permanent carbon removal solutions.

Carbon Removal Comes After Emissions Cuts

PayPal net zero carbon removal strategy

PayPal’s climate plan follows a clear order. The company reduces emissions first. It uses renewable electricity, improves energy efficiency, and works with suppliers to lower emissions across its value chain. Only then does it invest in durable carbon removal to address the emissions that remain.

This approach aligns with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). It states that companies should focus on cutting direct emissions first; then they can use carbon removal for any residual emissions.

A New Phase of Corporate Climate Action

PayPal has already reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 80% from its 2019 baseline. Its next challenge is tackling the much larger Scope 3 emissions across its supply chain.

The company’s latest investments show how corporate climate strategies are changing. Businesses are no longer relying only on renewable electricity and energy efficiency. Many are beginning to invest in the carbon removal technologies they expect to need in the future.

For the carbon market, this is an important shift. Companies are moving beyond buying traditional offsets and helping finance the next generation of permanent carbon removal. If more businesses follow PayPal’s approach, demand for high-quality carbon removal credits could continue to grow as the global race to net zero accelerates.

Apple (AAPL Stock) Revenue Hits Record as Carbon-Neutral Goal Moves Closer

Jennifer L
-
0
Apple (AAPL Stock) Revenue Hits Record as Carbon-Neutral Goal Moves Closer

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) delivered another strong quarter, beating Wall Street expectations as iPhone sales rebounded and services reached another record. However, the company’s biggest long-term story may not be its latest devices. It is building a business that aims to grow while cutting its carbon footprint.

That strategy is becoming more important as technology companies invest billions of dollars in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and advanced chips. These technologies need more electricity, more data centers, and more raw materials.

Investors are now watching not only how fast companies grow, but also how they manage rising energy use and emissions. Apple believes it can do both.

Apple Beats Expectations as Revenue Reaches New High 

The iPhone maker reported $109.4 billion in revenue for its fiscal third quarter ended June 27, 2026, up 16% from a year earlier. It was the company’s highest June-quarter revenue ever, as shown in its financial statement below.

Apple 3rd quarter 2026 financial results
Source: Apple

Net income also climbed 27% to $29.8 billion, while diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased 29% to $2.02, both setting new June-quarter records. The results were stronger than Wall Street expected, driven by solid growth across most of Apple’s major businesses.

Growth was broad across Apple’s global business. Revenue rose in all regions:

  • Americas: $45.8 billion
  • Europe: $29.4 billion
  • Greater China: $18.8 billion
  • Japan: $6.6 billion
  • Rest of Asia Pacific: $8.9 billion

The iPhone remained Apple’s biggest source of revenue, generating $54 billion, up 22% from the same quarter last year. Services reached another all-time high at over $30 billion, growing 12% year over year.

earnings by region and product
Source: Apple

Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook remarked:

“Today, Apple is proud to report our strongest June quarter ever, with double-digit revenue growth across iPhone, Mac and Services, and in every geographic segment.”

He also highlighted continued progress in Apple Intelligence, saying the company is expanding AI features across more products and platforms.

How Apple Stock Reacted

Investors welcomed the results. Apple (AAPL) stock went up in after-hours trading after the earnings release. The revenue and earnings were better than expected, easing worries about slowing consumer demand.

However, the gains did not last. Apple shares dropped in after-hours trading. Management warned that supply limits on advanced memory chips might affect iPhone production in the next quarter.

Apple stock AAPL price

The company also projected September-quarter revenue growth of 9% to 11%, below Wall Street’s expectations of about 12%. Investor sentiment was weighed down by concerns about slower Services growth, despite Apple’s record revenue and earnings in the June quarter.

Why Apple’s Climate Strategy Is Also a Growth Strategy

Apple’s strong financial results come as the company continues to make progress toward its climate goals.

Apple aims to cut emissions not just in its offices, but throughout its entire value chain. This sets it apart from many tech companies that only focus on their own operations. That includes suppliers, manufacturing, transportation, product use, and recycling.

The company reports a reduction of over 60% in its gross greenhouse gas emissions since 2015. This progress helps it move closer to its Apple 2030 goal of achieving carbon neutrality across its business, supply chain, and product life cycle.

Apple carbon neutrality 2030 progress
Source: Apple

Much of that progress comes from cleaner manufacturing.

According to Apple’s latest Environmental Progress Report, more than 320 suppliers have committed to using 100% renewable electricity for Apple production. Together, they now support over 18 gigawatts of renewable energy worldwide.

The big tech estimates these projects avoided more than 21 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 alone.

The company is also expanding its use of recycled materials. Many Apple products now include recycled aluminum, cobalt, rare earth elements, gold, lithium, and steel. These efforts reduce demand for newly mined materials while lowering emissions from manufacturing.

Apple has powered its own corporate operations with 100% renewable electricity since 2018. Today, the bigger challenge is helping suppliers make the same transition, because manufacturing remains the largest source of the company’s emissions.

That strategy reflects a broader shift across the technology industry. As companies enhance AI systems and create advanced devices, cutting emissions in global supply chains is now as crucial as boosting product performance.

Apple financial earnings 2026 and emissions cuts

Using Carbon Credits for Remaining Emissions

Apple also uses carbon credits, but only after reducing as many emissions as possible. The tech giant reported that it retired high-quality, nature-based carbon credits in 2025 to offset a small share of emissions that it cannot yet eliminate.

The company’s portfolio includes:

  • The Lumin/Eucapine reforestation project in Uruguay, which retired 422,395 metric tons of CO₂e (2020 vintage), and
  • The Windrock Improved Forest Management project in the United States, which retired 319,785 metric tons of CO₂e (2022 vintage).

These projects restore forests, improve land management, and increase long-term carbon storage while protecting biodiversity.

Apple says its priority remains cutting emissions at the source through renewable electricity, recycled materials, lower-carbon manufacturing, and cleaner supply chains. Carbon credits are used only to address the limited emissions that remain as the company works toward its goal of becoming carbon neutral across its entire value chain by 2030.

The Electronics Industry Is Under Pressure to Cut Emissions

Apple is not the only technology company working to lower emissions. The industry faces growing pressure as demand rises for AI devices, smartphones, and cloud services.

According to the International Energy Agency, electricity use from data centers could more than double by 2030, reaching about 945 terawatt-hours (TWh) each year. At the same time, electronics manufacturing depends on energy-intensive materials such as lithium, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements.

Apple is responding by focusing on its supply chain, where most of its emissions occur. More than 320 suppliers have committed to using 100% renewable electricity for Apple production. This supports over 18 gigawatts of clean energy worldwide.

renewable energy profile 2025
Source: Apple

Apple reports that these projects avoided over 21 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2025. This effort helped reduce emissions and improved the efficiency and resilience of its supply chain.

Can Apple Reach Carbon Neutral by 2030?

Apple has made significant progress, but its biggest challenge still lies ahead.

Most of the company’s emissions come from manufacturing and suppliers rather than its own offices. That means reaching its 2030 carbon-neutral goal will depend heavily on thousands of suppliers around the world continuing to reduce emissions.

The company has already shown that progress is possible. Gross greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by more than 60% since 2015, even as Apple has continued to grow its business.

Revenue hit a record high this June quarter. The company also grew its renewable energy, increased recycled materials, and partnered with more suppliers to reduce emissions.

For Apple stock investors, that sends an important message. The company’s latest earnings show that financial growth and climate action can move together.

Apple believes that building a lower-carbon business is not separate from growth—it is becoming one of the ways to achieve it.

One Carbon Rulebook? GHG Protocol and ISO Join Forces to Rewrite Global Emissions Reporting

Jennifer L
-
0
One Carbon Rulebook? GHG Protocol and ISO Join Forces to Rewrite Global Emissions Reporting

Companies around the world have spent years measuring their greenhouse gas emissions, but many still face the same problem. Different reporting standards can produce different results.

A company may calculate its emissions one way under the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and another under ISO standards. That makes it harder for investors, regulators, and customers to compare companies fairly. This could soon change.

The GHG Protocol and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have announced plans to develop one interoperable global greenhouse gas accounting framework. The new effort will combine the strengths of both systems to create a more consistent way of measuring and reporting emissions worldwide.

The partnership is part of a broader update at the GHG Protocol. The organization is modernizing its corporate standards. It is also strengthening governance and adding a new independent process for setting standards. This change aims to meet the rising demand for reliable carbon accounting.

One Global Standard Could Cut Complexity

Carbon reporting has become much more complicated in recent years. The GHG Protocol is the world’s most widely used greenhouse gas accounting system.

According to the organization, 97% of Fortune Global 500 companies that report emissions use its standards. At the same time, ISO develops international standards that governments, businesses, and certification bodies use across many industries.

Both systems are widely trusted, but they were created separately.

As climate reporting has expanded, many companies now have to follow several reporting frameworks at once. A big multinational company can report under the GHG Protocol. It can also meet ISO standards, national rules, investor needs, and voluntary reporting programs.

That takes more time, increases costs, and often creates confusion. The new joint standard aims to simplify the process. Instead of following different accounting methods, companies could use one common approach to calculate and report emissions.

This consolidation merges ISO 14064-1 with GHG Protocol’s Scope 1, 2, 3, and Actions and Market Instruments (AMI) standards. By unifying these frameworks, businesses can track emissions more efficiently. Additionally, a single, coordinated public consultation process ensures more meaningful feedback from stakeholders.

Tim Mohin, CEO of GHG Protocol, noted:

“A consolidated corporate standard represents a significant step toward integrating and harmonizing greenhouse gas accounting across the world. For the organizations applying these standards to measure their greenhouse gas emissions, a single corporate standard will simplify reporting, reduce duplication, and provide greater consistency across markets and jurisdictions. This will in turn allow companies to spend more time reducing emissions.”

Carbon Reporting Is Becoming a Business Requirement

This change comes as carbon reporting becomes a normal part of doing business. More companies are setting net-zero targets, measuring emissions, and reporting climate risks than ever before. They need data that is accurate, consistent, and easy to compare.

The pressure to report emissions continues to grow.

cdp companies disclosing climate data
Source: CDP

According to CDP, a record 24,800 companies disclosed environmental data through its platform in 2024. Businesses are getting ready for new disclosure rules in key markets. This includes the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and California’s climate laws. These laws require many large companies to report on their greenhouse gas emissions, including parts of their value chains.

Global reporting standards are also becoming more aligned.

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) launched the IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures standard. This standard is based on greenhouse gas accounting for climate reporting. Many jurisdictions are now adopting or considering ISSB standards, increasing the need for consistent emissions data worldwide.

The biggest challenge, however, remains Scope 3 emissions.

These emissions come from suppliers, customers, transportation, purchased goods, and product use rather than a company’s own operations. For many businesses, Scope 3 represents the largest share of their climate footprint.

  • In some industries, it accounts for more than 90% of total emissions, according to the GHG Protocol.

Measuring those emissions accurately has proven difficult because companies depend on data from hundreds or even thousands of suppliers.

That is one reason why the GHG Protocol and ISO believe a common, unified global framework has become increasingly important. Improving consistency can boost reporting quality. It can also cut confusion and make emissions data more useful for investors, regulators, and businesses.

Better Carbon Data Could Strengthen Carbon Markets

A single global accounting standard could also strengthen carbon markets.

Carbon credits depend on accurate emissions data. When companies calculate emissions in different ways, it gets harder to measure reductions. This makes it tough to set climate targets and figure out how many carbon credits are needed.

global carbon credit market size 2030

That is becoming more important as carbon markets continue to grow. Compliance carbon markets could hit up to $500 billion by 2030, while voluntary markets could reach $40 billion by the same period. 

Meanwhile, Article 6 of the Paris Agreement is creating new international carbon markets. More countries are developing rules to trade carbon credits across borders. Accurate emissions accounting is key. It helps measure credits consistently and prevents double counting.

A common global reporting standard could help provide that foundation. Over time, the standard could improve consistency across carbon credit projects and support higher-quality carbon markets.

A New Foundation for Net Zero Reporting

GHG Protocol and ISO carbon accounting

The new standards will take time to develop. The GHG Protocol and ISO said they will follow an open standards development process with public consultations and technical reviews. Businesses, governments, investors, scientists, and other stakeholders will all have opportunities to provide feedback before the standards are finalized.

If completed, these changes would mark one of the biggest updates to corporate carbon accounting in more than 20 years. The goal is simple: make emissions reporting easier, more consistent, and more useful around the world.

That would reduce reporting costs, improve the quality of emissions data, and make climate disclosures easier to compare across companies and countries.

It could also strengthen other climate initiatives. Organizations such as the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM), and the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) all rely on credible emissions data to support corporate net-zero claims and high-integrity carbon markets.

For businesses, the benefits are clear: less time dealing with different reporting rules and more time reducing emissions. For investors, it means more reliable climate data.

And for carbon markets, it could provide a stronger foundation for measuring emissions, tracking progress, and building trust as the world moves toward a low-carbon economy.

Verra Approves Rwanda’s 5.69 Million Article 6 Carbon Credits, A Major Boost for Clean Cooking

Jennifer L
-
0
Verra Approves Rwanda’s 5.69 Million Article 6 Carbon Credits, A Major Boost for Clean Cooking

Rwanda has reached an important milestone in the global carbon market. The country has completed the accounting needed to authorize 5.69 million carbon credits from the DelAgua Clean Cooking Grouped Project under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

The credits can now be traded internationally with a Corresponding Adjustment. This accounting rule prevents the same emissions reductions from being counted by both Rwanda and the country or company buying the credits.

The credits are also eligible for use under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), the global carbon market created by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

One of Africa’s Largest Cookstove Projects

This is one of the largest cookstove credit authorizations completed under Article 6 so far. It shows that Article 6 is moving from planning to real market activity.

The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) has finalized and submitted the accounting records needed to track these emissions reductions at the national level. Verra has now accepted those records, confirming that the process meets the international requirements for Article 6 transfers.

The authorization covers 5,690,481 carbon credits generated between 2021 and 2024 from three DelAgua clean cooking projects:

  • Clean Cooking Grouped Project – VCS 2749 with 551,326 tCO₂e.
  • Improved Cookstove Grouped Project – VCS 3699 with 1.73 million tCO₂e.
  •  Clean Cooking Grouped Project in Rwanda – VCS 4150, which accounts for 3.40 million tCO₂e.

By recording these credits in Rwanda’s official greenhouse gas accounts, the country has confirmed that the associated emissions reductions have been transferred internationally and will not also count toward its own climate targets.

The milestone is important for everyone involved. It gives buyers more confidence in the quality of the credits and opens new markets for project developers. It also helps countries like Rwanda attract more climate finance while supporting their national climate goals.

Euan McDougall, CEO of DelAgua Group, remarked:

“We are proud to stand alongside the Government of Rwanda in demonstrating what is possible when project developers and host governments are fully aligned. For the market, this sets a benchmark while for our buyers, it provides the assurance they have rightly demanded.”

The carbon credits come from one of the biggest clean cooking programs in Africa.

Rwanda Completes the Full Article 6 Accounting Process

The DelAgua Clean Cooking Grouped Project has distributed 1.8 million improved cookstoves to households across Rwanda since 2016. According to DelAgua, the program now reaches about one-quarter of Rwanda’s population.

The project replaces traditional three-stone fires with fuel-efficient wood-burning stoves. These cooking tools use much less firewood and produce far less smoke inside homes.

Rwanda cookstoves carbon project DelAgua
Source: DelAgua

The benefits go beyond cutting emissions.

  • DelAgua estimates the project has avoided more than 19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent since it began.
  • Families spend less time collecting firewood, helping reduce pressure on Rwanda’s forests.
  • Cleaner indoor air also lowers exposure to harmful smoke, which can cause lung and heart diseases.
  • The project also creates jobs. Local workers help distribute the stoves, train households, monitor results, and support communities.

Carbon finance makes the program possible.

Instead of asking families to pay the full cost of the stoves, money from carbon credit sales helps cover distribution, monitoring, and long-term support. This allows many low-income households to receive cleaner cooking technology at little or no upfront cost.

Billions of People Still Lack Clean Cooking

Rwanda’s project addresses a global problem.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), about 2.1 billion people still cook with wood, charcoal, animal dung, or agricultural waste. Most live in sub-Saharan Africa, where access to clean cooking has not kept pace with population growth. People without access increased by around 14 million in 2024.

Population cooking by fuel and by region in sub-Saharan Africa, 2024
Source: IEA

The health impacts are serious.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that household air pollution causes about 3.2 million premature deaths every year. Women and children are most affected because they spend more time near cooking fires.

Traditional cooking also affects the environment. Burning wood and charcoal contributes to forest loss, releases black carbon and other pollutants, and increases greenhouse gas emissions.

The IEA estimates that to give everyone clean cooking access by 2030, the world needs about $8 billion each year. This amount is much higher than what we currently fund.

That funding gap has made carbon markets increasingly important. The Clean Cooking Alliance says carbon finance has become one of the biggest sources of private funding for clean cooking projects.

Revenue from carbon credit sales helps developers:

  • Distribute efficient stoves
  • Maintain projects
  • Measure climate and social benefits over the years

Rwanda’s latest approval shows how this market is changing. Projects that follow Article 6 rules can now connect with buyers seeking carbon credits. That could increase demand for high-quality cookstove credits while bringing more climate finance to developing countries.

Article 6 Opens a Bigger Market for Cookstove Credits

Rwanda’s approval gives DelAgua’s cookstove credits access to higher-value international markets.

Under Article 6, countries can trade carbon credits using common carbon accounting rules. A key requirement is the Corresponding Adjustment, which prevents the same emissions reduction from being counted twice. That makes the credits more trusted by governments and businesses.

The credits are also eligible under CORSIA, the UN-backed carbon market for international aviation, where airlines need high-integrity carbon credits to offset part of their emissions.

For cookstove projects, this could mean stronger buyer confidence, better pricing, and access to larger international markets.

Africa Is Becoming a Bigger Player in Carbon Markets

Rwanda’s success also highlights Africa’s growing role in global carbon markets. The continent offers huge chances to cut emissions. This is possible through nature-based projects, clean energy, and better household technologies, like improved cookstoves.

The African Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI) estimates that by 2030, Africa could produce 300 million carbon credits each year. This number might grow to 1.5 billion credits annually by 2050.

ACMI ambition
Source: ACMI

ACMI estimates the industry could bring in up to US$6 billion in revenue by 2030. By 2050, this could grow to US$120 billion. This growth may also create millions of jobs across the continent.

Cookstove projects are expected to remain an important part of that growth.

Unlike many industrial carbon projects, clean cooking programs deliver several benefits at the same time. They reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health, lower fuel costs for families, reduce pressure on forests, and create local jobs.

That combination makes them attractive to buyers looking for carbon credits with measurable social and environmental impacts.

A New Benchmark for High-Integrity Cookstove Credits

Rwanda’s approval is about more than one carbon project, and it shows how carbon markets are changing.

Buyers are placing greater value on credits backed by strong accounting, government approval, and clear environmental benefits. Countries are also becoming more active, authorizing projects under Article 6 rather than relying solely on voluntary markets.

For Rwanda, the 5.69 million approved credits represent new climate finance that can support clean cooking, healthier communities, and forest protection.

For the wider market, the milestone shows that cookstove projects can meet some of the world’s highest carbon market standards.

Meta Q2 2026 Earnings: AI Drives 28% Revenue Growth as Clean Energy Investments Expand

Saptakee S
-
0
Meta Q2 2026 Earnings: AI Drives 28% Revenue Growth as Clean Energy Investments Expand

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) reported strong revenue growth, showcasing how artificial intelligence (AI) boosts its advertising business. However, profits dipped in Q2 2026 due to legal charges and restructuring costs.

Meta continues to invest in AI infrastructure, renewable energy, battery storage, nuclear power, and carbon reduction. These efforts align with its strategy to build energy-intensive AI data centers and achieve net-zero emissions.

Meta’s Q2 2026 earnings: Revenue up 28%

Meta’s revenue for the second quarter hit $60.8 billion, a 28% increase from $47.52 billion last year. This surpassed Wall Street’s estimate of $60.22 billion, driven by strong digital advertising and user engagement.

Despite the revenue growth, net income fell to $15.85 billion, or $6.18 per share, down from $18.34 billion, or $7.14 per share, a year prior. Analysts had expected earnings of $7.19 per share, so Meta missed profit estimates despite higher sales.

Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO, stated that AI is now the company’s major growth driver.

“AI is accelerating our core business today. It powers our next generation of products and opens new enterprise opportunities. We already see positive results and are optimistic about the future.”

meta revenue earnings

AI enhances Meta’s advertising business

AI is increasingly crucial across Meta’s apps, improving ad performance and user engagement. In June 2026, the company’s Family Daily Active People (DAP) reached 3.60 billion, a 3% rise from last year.

Meta also reported:

  • Ad impressions grew 14% year over year.
  • Average ad prices increased 12%.
  • Instagram now has over 2 billion daily active users.
  • Threads reached 500 million monthly active users.

These numbers indicate strong advertiser spending on Meta’s platforms, with AI helping users engage more on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Threads.

Meta is rapidly integrating generative AI into its advertising platform. This allows businesses to create marketing campaigns more quickly and improve targeting.

Legal costs and layoffs reduce profits

Although revenue remained strong, Meta’s expenses rose sharply during the quarter. Total costs and expenses climbed 55% to $42.03 billion.

The increase was largely driven by:

  • $2.40 billion in legal-related charges.
  • $1.18 billion in severance costs following workforce reductions announced in May 2026.

These one-time expenses significantly reduced quarterly earnings. The company noted that ongoing legal and regulatory cases, including several youth-related lawsuits in the United States, could continue affecting future financial results

Aggressive AI investments continue

Meanwhile, Meta continued investing aggressively in AI infrastructure. Capital expenditures reached $31.08 billion during the quarter, highlighting the enormous cost of building next-generation AI data centers.

  • The company generated $31.86 billion in operating cash flow, while free cash flow totaled $784 million after accounting for its large capital investments.

Higher Spending, Strong Outlook

Looking ahead, Meta expects third-quarter revenue of $61 billion to $64 billion, with foreign exchange expected to reduce year-over-year growth by about 1%.

The company also raised the lower end of its full-year expense forecast to $165 billion-$169 billion, mainly reflecting the legal charges recorded in the second quarter.

Meta narrowed its 2026 capital expenditure outlook to $130 billion-$145 billion, compared with its previous guidance of $125 billion-$145 billion, as it continues investing heavily in AI infrastructure. Despite the higher spending, management expects 2026 operating income to remain above 2025 levels.

Meta Stock Drops Despite Revenue Rise 

Meta’s stock fell about 6–10% as investors reacted to weaker-than-expected earnings per share (EPS), a 91% drop in free cash flow, and higher spending plans for AI infrastructure.

Although revenue rose 28%, many analysts remain positive about Meta’s long-term growth. However, investors now want clearer proof that the company’s heavy AI investments will generate stronger profits and improve cash flow.

meta stock
Source: Google Finance

Renewable Energy and Low-Carbon Power Portfolio

Meta has become one of the largest corporate buyers of renewable electricity. In 2025, it was the largest corporate clean energy buyer, securing contracts for about 10.24 gigawatts (GW) of renewable capacity.

The company aims for 100% renewable energy for its offices and data centers while pursuing net-zero emissions by 2030.

To support AI operations, it is diversifying its clean energy sources.

  • Nuclear power: The company collaborates with developers for 1 GW to 4 GW of new nuclear capacity in the U.S., ensuring reliable, carbon-free power for AI data centers.
  • Geothermal energy: Meta is partnering with Sage Geosystems for up to 150 megawatts (MW) of geothermal power, providing consistent clean electricity.
  • Solar and wind: Meta expanded its partnership with Invenergy, covering 791 MW of projects in Ohio, Arkansas, and Texas. This boosts their renewable energy collaboration to about 1.8 GW.
  • Long-duration battery storage: Partnering with Noon Energy, Meta plans to develop 1 GW / 100 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of long-duration battery storage, including a 25 MW / 2.5 GWh pilot project for improved electricity reliability.
  • Space-based solar power: Meta is exploring technologies with Overview Energy, potentially providing 1 GW of power from space-based solar systems.

Climate Strategy for Carbon Emissions

Alongside renewable energy efforts, Meta is cutting emissions in its operations and supply chain. The company reduced operational greenhouse gas emissions by about 6 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) in 2024.

  • Meta also utilized Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) to lower Scope 3 emissions linked to fuel use, devices, and remote work, cutting another 1.4 million metric tons of CO₂e.

Overall, its renewable energy strategy has helped avoid or reduce around 23.8 million metric tons of CO₂e since 2021.

meta clean energy portfolio
Source: Meta

As AI computing grows, Meta’s financial health increasingly hinges on balancing infrastructure investments with reliable low-carbon electricity supplies. Rising legal costs affected Q2 profits. Still, strong revenue growth, expanding AI capabilities, and bold clean energy investments position Meta for future growth and climate goals.

Frontier Infrastructure Holdings and Carbonfuture Announce Largest Ethanol BECCS Carbon Credit Agreement

Saptakee S
-
0
Frontier Infrastructure Holdings and Carbonfuture Announce Largest Ethanol BECCS Carbon Credit Agreement

Demand for permanent carbon removal is increasing. Companies aim to achieve net-zero goals by scaling projects that pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Frontier Infrastructure Holdings, a U.S. developer of low-carbon infrastructure in the Mountain West and Texas, has partnered with Germany-based Carbonfuture, a leader in durable carbon removal.

Together, they inked the largest ethanol bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) carbon removal agreement ever. This multi-year partnership will provide 750,000 durable carbon removal credits from Frontier’s Project Sprint to global corporate buyers through Carbonfuture’s marketplace.

This agreement highlights the growing need for high-quality carbon removal that stores carbon underground rather than simply avoiding emissions.

beccs
Source: IETA

Project Sprint to Supply 750,000 Carbon Removal Credits

Explaining further, Carbonfuture will market 750,000 carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits from Frontier’s ethanol BECCS project, Project Sprint, through this collaboration.

The goal is to connect corporate buyers with verified, durable carbon removals before the project begins operations. This agreement also gives buyers early access to future supplies in a market with limited long-term availability.

They aim to begin permanently storing carbon dioxide in the fourth quarter of 2027.

How it Works?

  • Project Sprint captures biogenic CO₂ produced during ethanol production, keeping it out of the atmosphere.
  • The captured carbon dioxide will be transported via Frontier’s CO₂-by-rail network, linking ethanol plants in the U.S. Midwest to storage sites in Wyoming.

Using rail allows ethanol producers to enter carbon removal markets sooner. Once delivered, the CO₂ will be injected into deep underground formations for permanent storage.

The carbon removals will be certified under Puro.earth’s Geologically Stored Carbon (GSC) Methodology, with Mangrove Systems overseeing monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV).

This method aims to provide buyers with high-confidence carbon removal credits backed by permanent storage.

Frontier Infrastructure’s BECCS Facility

FRONTIER ethanol
Source: Frontier Infrastructure Holdings

Why Ethanol BECCS Is Gaining Attention

BECCS combines renewable biomass with carbon capture technology.

Plants absorb carbon dioxide as they grow. When biomass like corn is processed into ethanol, that carbon is released. Capturing and storing those emissions creates net-negative emissions, meaning more carbon is removed than emitted.

Ethanol facilities are ideal for BECCS since they produce relatively pure CO₂ streams. This makes capture more affordable than in industries like cement or steel.

As governments strengthen carbon policies and companies pursue climate targets, ethanol BECCS is seen as a scalable source of durable carbon removal.

Durable Carbon Removal Demand Keeps Rising

The Frontier-Carbonfuture agreement comes as demand for permanent carbon removal grows, even amid downturns in voluntary carbon markets.

According to Sylvera’s Q2 2026 Carbon Data Snapshot, disclosed carbon removal volumes dropped sharply in the first half of 2026. This decline largely reflects lower purchases from Microsoft, not overall market weakness.

Sylvera estimates that companies following the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) may need around 55 million carbon credits annually by 2030. If more companies strengthen their climate goals, demand could exceed 1 billion carbon credits a year by 2035.

carbon credits carbon market sylvera

This expected demand far surpasses today’s supply of durable removals.

Supply Remains the Biggest Challenge

Despite rising buyer interest, permanent carbon removal projects are still scarce.

The latest State of Carbon Dioxide Removal report found that most global carbon removal comes from traditional methods like forests and soil management. Newer methods, such as:

  • BECCS
  • direct air capture
  • biochar
  • enhanced weathering and mineralization

They account for less than 1% of total carbon removal worldwide.

Sylvera also notes that the market increasingly rewards high-quality, durable projects. Buyers pay premiums for credits with strong verification, while investment-grade credits gain market share.

This tightening supply encourages companies to secure future carbon removals before projects begin. This helps developers finance construction while ensuring buyers access to limited future supplies.

Growing Competition for High-Integrity Credits

Large tech companies now lead the durable carbon removal market. They are signing agreements for millions of tons in BECCS, direct air capture, and biochar projects.

As more industries aim for net-zero goals, the competition for verified removals will increase. Buyers now prefer projects with permanent storage, clear monitoring, and independent verification instead of cheaper avoidance credits.

Frontier’s deal with Carbonfuture illustrates this shift. They combine carbon capture tools, rail transport, geological storage, and clear certification standards. Their goal is to provide a steady supply of high-quality carbon removal credits. This is crucial in a market facing major supply challenges.

If Project Sprint starts operations on time in late 2027, it could be one of North America’s largest ethanol-based BECCS projects. This will boost lasting carbon removals as corporate climate demands rise.

1234...290Page 3 of 290