CTX February 2025 Newsletter | Issue #157

Asian Expansion for CTX and GCR?Massive Growth Expected with Strategic Partners in Malaysia and Singapore

The recent announcement of?Global Carbon Registry Asia?in Malaysia is now further enhanced with a strategic partnership for?CTX Asia, meaning buyers and sellers across the region can originate, list and trade credits from projects in the region fully electronically.

In collaboration with?Carbon Vault?and?TI TerraCarbon?the new operations will be domiciled in Singapore and Malaysia as the new regional hub for the CTX Global operations.

In recent years a flurry of new carbon trading platforms has emerged in Southeast Asia but have struggled to generate meaningful results or profits due to differing business models. As the first and still the global leader in this space, Carbon Trade eXchange (CTX) has demonstrated a proven, profitable business model that maximises benefits for both buyers and sellers.

For more information, please email?[email protected] ?

El-Trumpo Withdrawal Has Little Impact?

‘USA had little offset action anyway’

The Paris Agreement has been floundering under the captive control of Fossil Fuels at back-to-back UNFCCC COP events, so Trump’s withdrawal of the USA did little more than create another round of negative media headlines. CTX had pulled out of the US markets over five years ago and rejected investments from Fossil Fuels ‘owned’ corporates or institutions – which our US based competitors seem to have accepted.?

The time for?‘Wait for Government to take Action’?is long past – only the business and banking sectors can deliver the leadership and changes needed to address the impacts of Climate Change, which are escalating globally at alarming rates.

It is sad to say that many American companies seem focused solely on money, with scant regard for the environment or our planet’s ecosystems. Perhaps like many in Australia, they think future generations can ‘eat coal’ and breathe methane?

Of the hundreds of events in 2024 featuring ‘carbon market experts’ talking about Climate, ESG, NetZero, and carbon, we cannot find one that was carbon neutral. Various ‘Integrity’ bodies have never originated, bought, sold, or offset a carbon credit we can see. Neither have the many banks who ultimately fund them, and yet they tout ‘ESG Data’ like its liquid gold.

In a world full of hypocrisy and ‘talk’, the only thing that matters is?action. No matter how much we are disappointed in Trump’s environmental decisions, no one can accuse him or his leadership team of hypocrisy or lack of action. What have you done last year? Or so far this year? ?

New Verra Registry Fees

Let’s make Lemonade out of Lemons:

CTX has long held the view that?transfer and retirement fees?are unnecessary, given that the CTX Exchange tech and / or staff handle all transfers, and account holders (or CTX) manage retirements. For CTX members, the only CTX clearance and settlement ‘agreement’ (registry) that does not exclude these fees is Verra VCS, so unfortunately, we have had to pass these costs on to the buyers. CTX has activated this fee into its latest technology release, to make it as seamless as possible, so buyers pay on CTX, and sellers only pay to transfer them to CTX to list (to Verra not CTX) – still?no additional fees?to list credits.

Another additional new fee (not ours) is that if the credits need to be transferred back to the owner from our escrow – should they wish to sell them elsewhere - we also must charge these fees (in advance).

The good news?is that if a?CTX member?has Verra VCS credits (or any others) listed with CTX (held in escrow), and they want to sell them OTC, we support that via our?50% fees?discount?deal - 2.5% to the seller and the buyer pays 2 cents per credit in the trade. So, for any OTC trade under $3.00 per credit, it is a no brainer when you do the math on up to 6 cents per credit payable for multiple transfers OTC yourself.

For buyers or sellers, why not get the best of both worlds?

Banking?Revolut-ion

Old School is done

CTX has changed UK Bank Accounts to?Revolut?Bank - a UK specialist FX and online bank. Like many UK businesses, we are terminating our 17-year relationship with HSBC who brought nothing to the table in service only higher costs. While the CTX clients funds for trading accounts remain with?Westpac?Bank (Australia’s oldest bank) as that’s a relationship that has stood the test of time for 15 years, we have successfully migrated all our UK CTX Business Banking to Revolut in London, and all CTX renewals and new membership payments will go there.

Thanks to this new Bank, CTX now offers you the opportunity to pay with your credit or debit card (using Revolut Merchant facilities) or via traditional bank transfer (GBP, USD, EURO and AUD) to our new Revolut Accounts. In March we will also launch a monthly renewals payment facility.

CTX Members, if you have any questions, please contact us at?[email protected] ?

GCR - Account Fee Only

More service means a slight increase

We do not wish to appear hypocritical, but with the newly announced GCR Asia deal, Global Carbon Registry (GCR) account fees must increase marginally. Yet, despite the extra support, project and issuance fees remain the same. Effective March 1, 2025, GCR's annual account fees will increase from US$300 to US$500.

To ensure you can take advantage of the current fee, we encourage all clients who have initiated their account registration or participated in a demonstration with one of our Business Development Managers to complete their payment by February 28, 2025.

GCR maintains that there are no transfer or retirement fees and appreciates your understanding and continued support as we strive to grow the registry and enhance our services to provide you with the best value and the world’s leading carbon credit experience.

Additionally, we have introduced new account fees for carbon trading platform (exchange) accounts, including those of CTX competitors.

Projects of The Month?

CDM UNFCCC?

Small Hydro Project

4 SDGs | Armenia (Europe) | USD $1.60??

The Small Hydroelectric Power Plant is a 5.958 MW grid-connected facility located on the Akhuryan irrigation canal in Armenia's Shirak region and generates clean hydroelectric energy while contributing to Armenia’s climate change mitigation efforts. By selling electricity to the Armenian Electricity Network (AEN), the initiative bolsters the country’s transition to sustainable energy production, reducing reliance on imported energy sources and enhancing energy independence.?

The project has a significant impact on social and economic development in the region. It creates job opportunities for both skilled and unskilled labor, particularly in an area with high unemployment. Local workers will gain valuable training, building long-term expertise in construction and renewable energy. The project also generates substantial tax revenue, estimated at $200,000 annually, and attracts $2.5 million in investments. These economic benefits, alongside the use of locally produced equipment, further promote Armenia’s renewable energy sector. Environmentally, the project avoids negative impacts on river water quality and local wellbeing, as confirmed by the Environmental Impact Assessment.?

?Aligned with Armenia’s national energy strategy, the project supports the country’s policy goals of expanding renewable energy capacity and reducing dependency on imported natural gas. By decreasing capital outflows and fostering energy self-sufficiency, the initiative strengthens Armenia’s sustainable development framework. The project also demonstrates how clean energy projects can align with national priorities while providing significant environmental, social, and economic benefits. The estimated average annual emissions reductions are 8,734 tCO2e for a total of 87.340 tCO2e.?

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Verra VCS?

Wind Project

4 SDGs | China (Asia) | USD $1.40?

The Inner Mongolia Wind Power Project is a renewable energy initiative in Ordos City. The project features 33 wind turbines, contributing to a total installed capacity of 49.5 MW, generating approximately 126,821 MWh of electricity annually for the North China Power Grid. By harnessing wind energy, the project displaces carbon-intensive electricity generation, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping to combat climate change and promote cleaner energy sources.?

Beyond its environmental impact, the project plays a key role in local sustainable development. It creates employment opportunities, with around 15 permanent jobs for operation, and additional positions in the construction sector. Furthermore, the project enhances local infrastructure and boosts the regional economy by attracting investment and promoting business activity. By diversifying electricity sources, it strengthens energy security and supports China′s transition away from coal-based power generation.?

As a model for responsible energy development, the project exemplifies the benefits of renewable power in reducing emissions and fostering economic growth. It highlights the potential of wind energy to contribute to national sustainability goals while improving the livelihoods of local communities. By utilising Inner Mongolia′s abundant wind resources, this initiative not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels but also sets a precedent for further expansion of clean energy projects in the region.?

The estimated average annual emissions reductions are 120,508 tCO2e for a total of 1,205.080 tCO2 in the entire length of 10 crediting years.?

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Gold Standard?

PET Plastics Recycling?

Energy Efficiency - Recovery and Recycling Project

10 SDGs | Romania (Europe) | EUR €27.00?

PET Plastics are toxic and long lasting, and PET’s raw materials are derived from crude oil and methane ‘natural’ gas. The first project of its kind with credits issued by Gold Standard, located in Buzau, Romania, is a transformative effort in PET recycling to reduce environmental pollution and GHG emissions. The company collects and recycles PET waste to produce high-quality recycled plastic materials such as PET flakes, PET straps, and granules, which serve various industries.

Recycling PET not only prevents plastic waste from polluting natural ecosystems but also significantly lowers CO2 emissions by 48% compared to the use of virgin materials. Additionally, energy consumption in recycled plastic production is reduced by 30%, and fossil fuel usage is reduced by 75%.?

Beyond environmental impact, this project enhances community well-being and economic stability. Funds generated from carbon credit sales support investments in new recycling technologies, the expansion of PET recycling for the food industry, and the growth of recycling infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe. Social development is also prioritized by promoting gender equality by advancing women into leadership roles and contributing to local pension and healthcare funds. Additional activities include civic education, providing training programs on recycling and sustainability in local schools.?

The project not only helps companies achieve their carbon neutrality goals but also strengthens regional economies by creating jobs and fostering technical development in the areas of Buzau, Lasi, Frasinu, and Urziceni, Romania. Businesses can invest in this initiative supporting the reduction of CO2 emissions and promoting sustainable waste management.??

The estimated average annual emissions reductions are 45,380 tCO2e for a total of 453.800 tCO2e.?

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OTC buyers, please contact [email protected]?

CTX Members, if you have any questions, please email [email protected]?

?Thank you all for your contributions to help save?the planet for our future generations.?