“Whilst carbon trading has been under implementation in Zimbabwe over the past two decades, urban local authorities have largely not been participating owing to limited awareness and capacity,” she is quoted by the Herald Online .

Ndlovu said climate change impacts were worsening, making it urgent for government institutions to integrate climate action into planning and budgets. She cited the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), launched on November 27, 2025, which calls for mitigation and adaptation across sectors, including energy, transport, industry, waste, agriculture and disaster management.

“Our urban environs have vast potential to supply the global carbon market with high integrity carbon credits and in turn benefit us in terms of low carbon development, infrastructure improvement and enhanced revenue inflows,” she said.

She said potential projects include methane capture from engineered landfills to generate electricity, producing biochar from sewage for agriculture, and waste-to-energy initiatives.

The Council of Ministers approved 15 draft resolutions advancing Timor-Leste’s accession to key ASEAN agreements, including those on dispute settlement, privileges and immunities, customs cooperation, counter-terrorism, human trafficking prevention, and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. The decisions mark a major step in fulfilling the country’s ASEAN membership roadmap and securing full participation in regional mechanisms. The Council also approved a joint operational plan between the Defence Forces (F-FDTL) and National Police (PNTL) to maintain public order during major events, including ASEAN accession ceremonies and upcoming state visits. 

UN warns scam centres spreading to Timor-Leste

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has warned that scam call centres are spreading to Timor-Leste, citing a suspected operation linked to the Oecusse free trade zone. Police raided a compound in August in the Special Administrative Region, detaining more than 30 foreigners from Indonesia, Malaysia and China for working without permission. The UNODC report said it was unclear whether the detainees were trafficked. Scam centres, often walled compounds running online fraud schemes that cost victims billions annually, have proliferated across Southeast Asia and are now emerging globally.

Indonesia helps Timor-Leste draft first aviation carbon reduction plan

Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has helped Timor-Leste draft its first State Action Plan (SAP) to cut carbon emissions from international aviation. The mentoring, held in Dili from September 2 to 4 under ICAO’s SAP Buddy Program, included workshops on environmental frameworks, CORSIA implementation, and ICAO software tools. Officials said the collaboration produced an initial draft SAP, a target for submission before the 42nd ICAO Assembly, and plans for on-the-job training in Bali. Indonesia’s Civil Aviation Director General Lukman F. Laisa said the effort reflects Jakarta’s commitment to sustainable aviation and its role in supporting Timor-Leste’s compliance with global environmental standards.

Malaysia, Timor-Leste to deepen cooperation under new strategic framework

Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening ties with Malaysia by advancing a comprehensive strategic framework. Discussions with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur focused on expanding cooperation in defence, health, and education.  At Malaysia’s recent national day celebrations in Dili, Ramos-Horta praised Malaysia’s role in supporting Timor-Leste’s pending ASEAN membership, expected to be formalised at the Kuala Lumpur Summit. He also identified opportunities for energy collaboration, including with PETRONAS, in projects such as Tasi Mane and the Greater Sunrise Gas Field. A new direct flight route between Kuala Lumpur and Dili was described as a historic milestone, enhancing connectivity.

ASEAN chief, Timor-Leste interior minister discuss crime cooperation, membership bid

ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn met Timor-Leste’s Interior Minister Francisco da Costa Guterres on the sidelines of the 19th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) in Melaka, Malaysia. The two discussed Timor-Leste’s role in contributing to regional efforts against transnational crime and supporting the work of AMMTC and its related mechanisms. Dr Kao reaffirmed the ASEAN Secretariat’s commitment to assist Timor-Leste in its accession process as ASEAN’s 11th member state. 

Carbon credits represent reductions or avoidance of carbon dioxide emissions, allowing companies to offset their emissions to meet regulatory requirements or enhance their environmental credentials.

As one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases, Indonesia relies heavily on coal to power its economy. Despite a 2022 multi-billion-dollar partnership with the United States and European nations to transition away from coal, progress has been limited.

President Prabowo Subianto has committed to advancing Indonesia’s carbon neutrality goal by 10 years to 2050 and plans to close hundreds of fossil-fuel power plants by 2040. 

Additionally, the government aims to develop over 75 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2040, though specific implementation strategies remain unclear.

Proceeds from carbon credit sales on the exchange are expected to fund these renewable energy and decarbonisation initiatives.

Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq described the exchange’s expansion as an "important milestone in our collective journey towards a sustainable future." 

He assured that the government would guarantee all credits issued on the exchange, implementing stringent measures to prevent double counting of emissions.

The international opening follows new guidelines on carbon credit trade agreed upon during COP29 last year. However, scepticism about the exchange remains.

Fabby Tumiwa, executive director of the Institute for Essential Services Reform, noted that domestic demand for carbon credits had been low, prompting the move to open the market to foreign entities.

"If domestic demand was high, we wouldn't need to open it to foreign entities," Tumiwa told AFP, highlighting concerns about whether projects on the exchange meet the "additionality" standard, which ensures emission reductions would not occur without the credits.

Uncertainties remain about the compatibility of Indonesia’s carbon credits with international standards.

Despite these challenges, initial trading showed activity. The stock exchange reported at least nine transactions on Monday, representing over 41,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

MycoHouse 1.0 is crafted from MycoBlocks, a durable substance derived from the root system of oyster mushrooms (mycelium). These mushrooms digest invasive encroacher bush, producing nutritious and lucrative mushrooms as a natural byproduct.

While the mushrooms are cultivated for food, the building material formed during the process helps store carbon dioxide, effectively offsetting greenhouse gas emissions.

“We wanted a new, better way to curtail the housing crisis and a sustainable way to curb the negative effects of the encroacher bush on our environment,” Magreth Mengo, head of brand and marketing at Namibia’s Standard Bank is quoted by The Guardian .

Despite initial concerns about potential odours from these natural blocks, Kristine Haukongo, a senior cultivator at MycoHab, assured that the house is odourless. “People think the house would smell because the blocks are made of all-natural products, but it doesn’t smell,” Haukongo said. “Sometimes, there is a small touch of wood, but otherwise it’s completely odourless,” she added.

Namibia faces a severe housing crisis with an estimated population of around 2.65 million. The country urgently needs approximately half a million new homes, as one in five people currently live in makeshift homes constructed from waste materials or zinc sheets.

While South Africa may not lead the continent in carbon credit production, it remains Africa’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases . With the country gradually implementing a carbon tax, the demand for offsets is poised to soar. Additionally, South Africa holds the distinction of being Africa’s top producer of solar and wind power, further underlining its role in environmental initiatives.  

The initial carbon credits to be traded on the platform will be linked to forestry and farming projects aimed at carbon absorption, according to Fourie. These credits, each equivalent to a ton of climate-warming carbon dioxide removed from or prevented from entering the atmosphere, are sought after by greenhouse gas emitters seeking to offset their environmental impact.

"Our vision is to expand and create a pan-African venture or infrastructure," remarked Fourie. "Carbon sellers from various African countries could register their credits, making them available not only to South Africans but also to other African nations such as Kenya."

Global estimates from BloombergNEF suggest that the carbon credits market could burgeon to a staggering $1 trillion annually, a significant leap from its current valuation of approximately $2 billion. Recognizing the potential for growth, JSE is already in discussions with two other African exchanges to collaborate on trading offsets using the established platform.