By Stewart Mior in News — Sep 27, 2024

Weekly News Roundup, September 27

How can technology accelerate reforestation and improve climate resilience?

Terraformation Launches Terraware🌳

Terraformation has launched Terraware, an innovative global forestry management platform designed to streamline reforestation projects from seed to forest. Built by foresters, for foresters, Terraware simplifies complex tasks like seed collection, nursery management, carbon tracking, and more. Already adopted by 300+ organizations across 60 countries, this tool bridges the gap between remote sensing and ground data, making reforestation efforts more efficient and transparent.

👉 How can technology accelerate reforestation and improve climate resilience?

https://carbonherald.com/terraformation-officially-launches-terraware-closing-the-technology-gap-in-global-reforestation/

New Global Carbon Markets Hub Boosts Transparency and Equity 🌍

Ecosystems Marketplace has launched the Global Carbon Markets Hub, offering free access to the largest voluntary carbon markets database. Created by Ecosystem Marketplace (EM), this tool empowers communities, small enterprises, and the public by providing transparent data on over 20,000 carbon projects. 🌱 This resource aims to ensure equitable benefits for climate and sustainable development by making market insights accessible to all—no paywalls required!

🔍 How can improved access to carbon market data drive more ethical climate finance?

👉 Explore the Hub here: https://hub.ecosystemmarketplace.com

EU Stands Firm on Deforestation Regulation Despite Global Pushback 🌲

The European Union has confirmed it will not delay its deforestation regulation (EUDR), set to take effect on December 30, 2024. Major exporters like Brazil, India, and the US raised concerns at a recent WTO meeting, arguing the rules create trade barriers for products like coffee, leather, and paperboard. India, for instance, faces $1.3 billion in export losses annually due to the regulation, which requires proof that these products are not linked to deforestation post-2020. The EU remains firm, prioritizing environmental protections despite objections.

🌱 How should countries balance environmental policies with trade?

Scant Evidence Behind the 80% Biodiversity Claim in Indigenous Lands 🌿

A widely quoted claim that 80% of the world’s biodiversity resides in Indigenous territories is under scrutiny. Experts argue that there is no scientific basis for this figure, despite its frequent use by UN agencies, NGOs, and activists. While Indigenous peoples play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, overstating figures without hard data risks undermining their credibility. The focus should shift to a more accurate, partnership-based recognition of Indigenous stewardship. 🌍 Is it time for more rigor in biodiversity claims?

👉 Should we rethink how we quantify biodiversity in Indigenous lands?https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-02811-w

MSCI Shakes Up Voluntary Carbon Markets with Bold Ratings 💥

MSCI Carbon Markets just dropped a bombshell on the voluntary carbon market (VCM), revealing that of 4,000 projects reviewed, fewer than 8% were classified as "high integrity." Not a single project earned a AAA rating, which requires real emissions impact and positive social/environmental outcomes. 🌍

🔍 How can we focus on real climate solutions rather than flawed market fixes?

🌱 Should corporate climate action prioritize research and emissions reductions over PR campaigns?

Sentry’s Bold Open Source Pledge: Supporting Maintainers 💻

Chad Whitacre, Head of Open Source at Sentry, joins the SustainOSS podcast to discuss the Open Source Pledge—a game-changer for sustainability in open source. Companies are committing to pay $2,000 annually per developer to support open source maintainers. With an upcoming media campaign set to launch on October 8, the pledge aims to shift the norm in open source sustainability by encouraging more companies to contribute. 🎙️

👉 Is financial support the key to a sustainable open source ecosystem?

Listen here: https://podcast.sustainoss.org/247

Hack4Earth: Hack for a Sustainable Future 🌍

GMES North Africa is excited to announce Hack4Earth, a hackathon dedicated to solving climate and sustainability challenges through emerging technologies! 🌱 Held alongside the 21st IEEE International Conference on Computer Systems and Applications (AICCSA 2024), Hack4Earth invites multidisciplinary teams of 3-5 members to collaborate on innovative projects addressing the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From data science to robotics, participants will use open-source platforms to create impactful solutions for a sustainable world.

📅 Join them from October 4-18, 2024, at Tunisia Polytechnic School. Ready to hack for the planet?

👉 How can technology drive sustainability in your field?