Data ReFined #30: International Collaboration in the VCM, Guidelines for Carbon Buyers, Deforestation-free Coffee

The Newsletter about Climate Data, Regenerative Finance, and Climate Risk ⛅

Thanks for tuning in to the latest issue of dClimate's biweekly newsletter. As always, we have handpicked several high-signal articles to keep you up-to-date with developments in the voluntary carbon markets, climate-related financial risks, and data-driven climate science.

In this edition, we'd like to draw special attention to our latest article on global coordination efforts to scale carbon financing and the new guidelines from the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) for corporate buyers of carbon credits.

Keep scrolling to catch all the news! 👇

Industry News

International Cooperation in Carbon Markets

The voluntary carbon market (VCM) is an essential mechanism for financing on-the-ground climate action. In our latest article, we explore how Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), as well as global frameworks for monitoring, reporting, and verification, help to scale the VCM.

Read our blog post below for more details! 🙏

Global Mitigation Efforts

Achieving global net-zero emissions requires private efforts and public interventions, often underscored by robust international collaboration. Private sector initiatives are crucial for innovation, yet governmental action is essential in implementing environmental standards and economic incentives within their jurisdictions. International cooperation aims to synchronize worldwide strategies and norms to combat climate

dClimatedClimate

New IETA Guidelines for Corporate Carbon Buyers

At the European Climate Summit in Florence, the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) introduced a paper offering guidance for corporate buyers on using carbon credits with high integrity and in alignment with the Paris Agreement goals.

Please find the official press release here.

Neutral Lists Biochar Carbon Credits

Neutral, an exchange for environmental assets, has listed CHAR biochar credits on its platform. This integration aims to advance carbon removal markets by providing a regulated and transparent trading environment, which helps to improve trust and accessibility of using high-quality carbon credits in corporate net-zero strategies.

Neutral partners with Puro Earth and Toucan to list CHAR on its trading platform - Neutral

Puro biochar credits are now available on Neutral through Toucan’s CHAR.

NeutralNeutral TeamApr 17, 2024·3min read

Insurance for Coastal Communities

Arbol has launched Lilypad Insurance, an initiative to serve the specific needs of homeowners in coastal areas. Lilypad aims to fill the coverage gaps left by insurers retreating from high-risk regions like Florida, California, and Louisiana, expanding the use of parametric insurance innovations for climate-related risks.

Arbol Announces Launch of Lilypad Insurance, Aiming to Address Coverage Gaps in Coastal Communities

Newly Launched Lilypad Insurance Acquires Centauri Insurance Carriers, Strengthening Its Coastal Market Offerings

The Costs of Natural Catastrophes

Swiss Re's latest report highlights that natural disasters in 2023 caused $280 billion in economic losses globally. The reinsurer projects this trend will escalate, predicting an average annual growth in damages of 5-7% in real terms. This increase suggests that the current economic burden of climate-related damages could double within the next decade.

sigma 1/2024 in short | Swiss Re

Global annual insured losses from natural catastrophes of more than USD 100 billion have become the norm.

Swiss Re Institute

U.S. Hurricane Season Forecast

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is forecasted to be extremely active, according to the Colorado State University (CSU) hurricane forecasting team. They predict 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes. Factors contributing to this prediction include warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures and a likely transition from El Niño to La Niña conditions.

Forecasters predict an extremely active 2024 Atlantic hurricane season » Yale Climate Connections

Colorado State University’s hurricane forecasting team is calling for a near-record active season with 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes.

Yale Climate ConnectionsJeff Masters

Deforestation-free Coffee

Ethiopian coffee growers face significant challenges due to the new EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires proof that coffee beans do not come from deforested land. Due to the large number of smallholder farmers, there is a lack of expertise to work with the complex data needed to show compliance, which can potentially threaten Ethiopia's coffee exports and economic stability.

‘We would not survive without coffee’: how rules made in Europe put Ethiopian farmers at risk

Coffee is the country’s biggest export, but millions of smallholders are being asked to provide paperwork to prove their land is not deforested

The GuardianFred Harter

Tree Loss Data

New global tree cover loss datasets on Global Forest Watch indicate persistent rates despite declines in some countries. The data platform, enhanced by new algorithms and satellite capabilities, provides a nuanced view of forest changes as it distinguishes between various types of tree cover loss including deforestation, wildfires, and natural disturbances.

Check out the explainer article for more details.

Global Forest Watch’s 2023 Tree Cover Loss Data Explained | GFW Blog

New data shows persistent primary forest loss in 2023. What does the data measure and how does it compare to other official estimates of deforestation?

Global Forest Watch Content

Using Remote Sensing Technologies for Soil Mapping

Researchers have developed a new method to map global soil salinity with 10-meter resolution, using a model that combines Sentinel-1/2 satellite images, climate data, terrain information, and machine learning algorithms. The high-resolution mapping offers crucial insights for sustainable land and agricultural practices, significantly advancing the capacity to manage and restore soil health globally.

Mapping the world’s salted soils: A leap forward in combating land degradation

A team of researchers has developed an approach that maps the soil salt content around the world with an exceptional detail of 10 meters. This advance tackles the pressing need for accurate assessments of soil salinity, a formidable challenge that jeopardizes agricultural productivity and soil vitality on a global scale.

Phys.orgScience X

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