Friction from the West is Loosening China’s Grip on Rare Earths Elements
As the world grapples with the urgent need for decarbonization to combat climate change, China’s top position in the production of rare earth elements (REEs) and its growing influence in the carbon credit market have had profound implications for the global energy transition
China currently dominates the market supplying over 80% of the world’s rare earth elements. Considered a monopoly in most political circles, its prominent position has raised concerns among many nations about the vulnerability of their supply chains and the geopolitical implications. But is this tension a sign of possibile future supply limitations that pose a threat to the decarbonized future?
REEs are a set of 17 metallic elements with unique electrical and magnetic properties, playing a crucial role in the mineral supply chain market. Their applications range from magnets powering electric vehicles (EVs) and wind turbines to defense systems using precision missiles, fighter jets, and submarines, energy-efficient lighting systems etc.
All these factors come down to one thing: green energy transition, because:
China leads the production of key materials for EV batteries, refining 68% of the world’s cobalt, 65% of nickel, and 60% of lithium meeting the required grade. Additionally, it holds a significant share of ~ 75% of EV batteries, and the majority of them are manufactured in China.
China maintains its position in the rare earth industry due to its comprehensive control over the entire production chain and a substantial scale in the world economies. China’s advantages extend from mining raw materials to producing high-purity rare earths, facilitated by a cost-effective labor force.
Is this enough to sustain China’s dominance in the long run? It’s indeed a matter of concern and the answer is that there are numerous loopholes in marketing strategies, political scenarios, and supply chain management.
Interdependence of global decarbonization goals and China’s REEs
The concentration of REEs in China raise concerns worldwide. Although, the US Department of Energy once said:
“the US decarbonization goals are reliant on both Chinese firms and the Chinese government”
Yet the current geopolitical scenario is slightly different. The prime issue is that no matter where the REEs are mined, they need to undergo processing in China. This grants China substantial influence over various supply chains. But in this ESG-conscious era, investors, suppliers, and consumers must be more aware of the environmental effects of their purchases.
The extraction of rare earth minerals is a complex process and has raised serious climatic concerns. A study from the Harvard International Review stated,
“Mining to produce one ton of rare earth elements results in nearly 30 pounds of dust, 9,600-12,000 cubic meters of waste gas including substances such as hydrofluoric acid and sulfur dioxide, 75 cubic meters of wastewater, and one ton of radioactive residue—2,000 tons of toxic waste altogether.”
The report also mentioned that the world’s largest rare earth element mine, Bayan-Obo in China, produced over 70,000 tons of radioactive thorium waste which is stored in a tailing pond that has leaked into groundwater.
China, being the prime market for REEs must adopt ways to make large-scale mining more sustainable and greener. Some latest technologies include:
- Electrokinetic method is used by many Chinese companies to improve the leaching process and quantity of the extracted minerals. It’s mostly suitable for heavy REE with high atomic numbers like dysprosium and terbium.
- Biomining is a highly sustainable process that incorporates microbes to do the leaching process. One such species is the cyanobacteria- it produces organic acid to extract the REE from recycled e-waste, ores, and wastewater.
- Agromining – the process incorporates plants that have hyperaccumulation and rapid-growth capacity on REE-rich soil. Researchers say agromining works most efficiently for nickel.
However, all the sustainable alternatives mentioned above are yet to be examined deeply considering their practical values and cost effectiveness.
We can infer that China to remain in the top position in the carbon market and REEs, must operate in socially and environmentally responsible ways. The country further needs to ensure transparent supply chains free from human rights infringement and environmental damage.
READ MORE : China’s CO2 Emissions Up 4% in Q1 2023, Hit a Record High
On the other hand, the West is putting serious efforts to decrease dependence on China for rare earth mineral supply. They are exploring technologies to replace REEs or use fewer REEs.
For example, Tesla recently announced plans for next-generation motors using rare earths-free magnets. There’s a mixed review of this move. While some industry pundits say it would have minimal effect on the market because they believe EVs without rare earth will have a very low success rate. While others consider this to be a revolutionary move. It is further predicted that production of EVs in the coming years won’t experience a slump if they become independent of rare earth minerals. This in turn will directly push the carbon market and mitigate carbon dioxide emissions.
These are just some of the factors responsible for REE’s geopolitical conundrum and have given rise to an important question – does a fair trade agreement exist between China and the West over rare earth elements?
Will Friction from the West Loosen China’s Grip on REEs?
The US and Europe have shaken hands and signed deals without China. President Biden and his allies prioritize technology and green energy, while Global South nations, like India, push for EV adoption to boost energy independence.
One notable collaboration involves US and European rare earth companies processing monazite sands in Utah, followed by shipping rare earth carbonates to Estonia for further refinement.
In recent news, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) granted a $120 million contract to Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths to construct a heavy rare earths separation facility in Texas. Lynas USA LLC, a subsidiary of Lynas Rare Earths Ltd, will own and operate this facility. The objective of the contract is to bolster domestic industrial capacities for heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), involving metals like gadolinium, dysprosium, and ytterbium.
Japan has also fortified its rare earth supply chain by increasing investments in Lynas, securing a steady supply of heavy rare earths. According to UN Comtrade data, Japan has succeeded in this strategic move to decrease its rare earth dependence on China from over 90% to 58% within a decade.
Source: elements.visualcapitalist.com
The graph above showcases China’s share of global production of REE market is expected to go down from 92% in 2010 to 58% in 2020.
Despite the solid efforts put in by the US, Europe, and Japan, China continues to defend its monopoly. It has aggressively expanded its international market by acquiring stakes in some of the largest mining companies like MP Materials (US) and Vital’s Metals (Australia).
China’s tax system and production quota are highly meticulous. It has imposed 13% VAT on magnets, metals, and oxides. Simply put, domestic rare earth product manufacturers have a 13 % cost advantage in the supply chain over foreign competitors. Thus, if countries decide to diversify their rare earth supply chains away from China, it could result in increased costs for those nations.
Will this Geopolitical Tension be a Roadblock to the Green Energy Transition?
A survey conducted by The Oregon Group, explains that 2024 is expected to witness persistent volatility and surged prices in major commodities and rare earth minerals. Contributing factors are:
- supply constraints
- geopolitical tensions
- long-term underinvestment
This economic contraction particularly in the US and China can potentially supress demand and supply, especially in the critical mineral sector. It’s foreseeable that in the current year and beyond, a distinct divergence in critical mineral prices between Western nations and China may not manifest. And this leads one to the conclusion that if geopolitical tensions and inefficient strategic planning persist between the leading economies of the world, then energy transition goals for sustainable low-carbon future are most likely to get hindered.
The post China’s Grip On Rare Earth Elements Loosens appeared first on Carbon Credits.
Carbon Footprint
CDR Credit Sales Hit Record High, Powering Market Growth in 2025
The voluntary carbon market is booming in 2025. Allied Offsets data showed that in the first quarter of 2025, around 780,000 CDR credits were contracted — a surge of 122% compared to the same period in 2024.
Additionally, 16 million credits were sold in the first six months of 2025 – marking it the strongest start to a year so far. The momentum is fueled by major buyers like Microsoft, aiming to be carbon negative by 2030, and by a surge in biomass-based removal methods that are reshaping corporate offset strategies.
Why Carbon Dioxide Removal Credits Are Surging
Businesses are racing to hit climate targets faster, and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is emerging as the go-to solution. The biggest boost this year comes from biomass-based methods — like turning farming and forestry waste into tools for trapping CO₂. These projects are cheaper, easier to scale, and more accessible than high-cost tech such as direct air capture (DAC).
By early 2025, biomass CDR accounted for about 40% of credit volumes. Microsoft and other big players are securing large volumes, setting quality benchmarks, and pushing the market toward transparent, high-integrity projects.
Source: Zion Market Research
Technology Shifts in CDR
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Biomass-based CDR — including BECCS, biochar, bio-oil, and biomass burial — made up a massive 94% of total volumes in the first half of 2025.
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Investment focus, however, is still heavily skewed toward DAC and carbon utilization projects, despite other scalable and cost-effective CDR options.
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More public awareness and funding diversity are needed to unlock the full potential of multiple CDR pathways.
New innovations are also redefining CDR. About 30% of new projects now use methods such as advanced soil carbon storage, bio-oil injection, and marine carbon removal, which can store CO₂ for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Digital MRV platforms are also transforming the space, offering real-time tracking to boost transparency, prevent fraud, and speed up purchase decisions. Meanwhile, integrated projects like agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, and biodiversity restoration are gaining traction for their multi-benefit environmental impact.

Environmental Benefits of Biomass CDR
Biomass approaches like biochar and BECCS offer cost-effective solutions, often ranging from $80–$200 per ton.
These methods work within a circular economy model — repurposing agricultural and forestry waste into long-term carbon storage. BECCS delivers a dual benefit by producing renewable energy while storing CO₂ underground.
However, without strict MRV protocols, poorly managed biomass projects risk deforestation or biodiversity loss. Global removal capacity is still only 41 million tons CO₂/year, yet it needs to grow 25–100x by 2030 to meet climate goals.
Market Segmentation
By technology: DAC, afforestation & reforestation, soil carbon sequestration, BECCS, ocean-based CDR, and enhanced weathering.
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DAC, holding 67% of global revenue in 2023, is set for the fastest growth thanks to flexible deployment and industrial CO₂ utilization.
By application: Consumer products, energy, transport, and industrial sectors.
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The industrial sector leads due to rising emissions from cement, steel, and chemicals.
CDR Buyer Trends in 2025
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Financial services firms led in the number of unique buyers, while technology companies dominated purchase volumes with over 50 million credits bought so far.
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Half of all buyers in early 2025 were first-time participants, collectively purchasing around 6 million credits which is a promising sign of market expansion.
Market Momentum and Future Projections
The CDR market hit $3.9 billion in Q2 2025, with biomass projects making up 99% of transactions. Microsoft continues to drive momentum by locking in long-term purchase agreements that help projects scale.
Market forecasts suggest CDR’s value will grow from $842 million in 2025 to $2.85 billion by 2034, while durable carbon credits could soar to $14 billion by 2035, growing 38% annually.
Rising buyer expectations — around permanence, transparency, and quality — are further reinforced by new regulations, particularly in Europe, pushing out low-integrity credits.

Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
The CDR market stands to benefit from government-backed carbon incentives, increasing demand for carbon credits, and the potential to create new jobs in sectors such as farming, engineering, and construction. However, its growth faces hurdles, including limited public awareness of CDR’s advantages and the risk of political instability slowing adoption.
What’s Next for Carbon Dioxide Removal?
The market is at a turning point. Experts predict a blend of nature-based and durable removals, with the latter gaining ground toward 2050 as quality demands rise. The future will rely on smarter investments, high-fidelity data tracking, and clear global standards.
Corporate leaders like Microsoft are already showing the way — proving that transparency, permanence, and innovation will define the next era of climate action.
- READ MORE: MOL Becomes the First Japanese Shipping Firm to Retire Tech-Based CDR Credits Through NextGen
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Carbon Footprint
Toyota’s (TM Stock) Q1 Twist: Why Profits Dip But Hybrids Surge, and Net Zero Goals Accelerate
Toyota Motor Corporation reported a sharp drop in earnings for the quarter ending June 30, 2025. Net profit fell 37% to ¥841 billion ($5.7 billion), down from ¥1.33 trillion a year earlier. This marked one of the steepest quarterly declines in recent years. Revenue, however, rose 3% year-over-year to ¥12 trillion ($82 billion), supported by strong demand in North America and Asia.
The primary drag came from new U.S. tariffs of 15% on Japanese car imports, which reduced profit by an estimated ¥450 billion. Higher costs for raw materials and a stronger yen hurt overseas earnings. Global inflation also impacted the results.
Toyota has revised its full-year operating profit forecast downward to ¥2.66 trillion ($18 billion). This speaks of a more cautious outlook for 2025. Analysts say the biggest automaker is keeping strong sales. However, profit margins face pressure from outside economic factors.
Amid the financial hiccup, the company reaffirmed its commitment to climate leadership. It aims for carbon neutrality with strong emissions targets, green manufacturing projects, and renewable energy investments. This effort is part of its Environmental Challenge 2050 framework.
Hybrids Take the Wheel as Sales Defy the Downturn
Global vehicle sales for the quarter reached 2.4 million units, up from 2.2 million a year ago. Toyota’s sales in North America rose nearly 20% in July. This boost came from its hybrid models, like the RAV4 Hybrid and Camry Hybrid, which both showed double-digit growth.

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models make up over one-third of Toyota’s total sales. This shows how important electrified powertrains are becoming in the company’s lineup.
Battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales, while still a smaller portion, increased steadily in markets with expanding charging infrastructure.
Toyota stayed on top in Japan and Southeast Asia. This was thanks to its compact cars and commercial vehicles. However, European sales dipped a bit due to tougher emissions rules and strong competition from local EV brands.
Toyota’s share price fell about 1.6% following the earnings announcement, as tariff concerns weighed on investor sentiment. Even with this dip, the stock still looks good. Its forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 6.9. That’s lower than the industry average of 8.0 and Toyota’s five-year average of 9.3.

Driving Toward 2050: Toyota’s Net Zero Roadmap
Toyota has set a long-term target to achieve carbon neutrality across the entire life cycle of its vehicles by 2050. This goal covers emissions from all stages: vehicle design, production, use, and recycling. It also includes emissions from suppliers and logistics partners.
In its latest sustainability report, Toyota reported its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions, from direct operations and purchased electricity, reached around 2.05 million metric tons of CO₂e in FY 2024. This shows a 15% drop from FY 2019 levels. The company aims to cut these emissions by 68% by 2035, using 2019 as the baseline year.
For Scope 3 emissions, which account for most of Toyota’s footprint, targets are set. By 2030, Toyota aims for a 30% reduction from suppliers, logistics, and dealerships. They also seek a 35% cut in average vehicle-use emissions. These goals account for the fact that tailpipe emissions from vehicles remain the single largest part of the company’s climate impact.
Globally, Toyota is investing in solar, wind, hydrogen, and renewable natural gas to power its factories. It has also joined multiple international coalitions to accelerate low-carbon manufacturing and logistics.
The largest carmaker is investing a lot in renewable energy. They plan to use 45% renewable electricity in North America by 2026. By 2035, they aim for 100% renewable energy at all global plants.
Projects include:
- Large-scale solar panel installations at assembly plants
- Hydrogen-powered forklifts
- Renewable natural gas systems at engine facilities.
The company’s approach combines electrification with manufacturing decarbonization. This includes hybrids, battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Toyota’s leaders think this multi-pathway strategy will reduce emissions quickly. This is especially true in areas where full BEV infrastructure is still growing. It also helps ensure steady progress toward the company’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal.

In summary, the company’s near-term reduction targets are:
- 68% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035 (compared to 2019 levels).
- 30% cut in Scope 3 emissions from suppliers, logistics, and dealerships by 2030.
- Matching 45% of electricity use with renewables in North America by 2026.
Environmental Challenge 2050: Six Pillars of Action
Toyota’s Environmental Challenge 2050, launched in 2015, remains its guiding framework for sustainability. The initiative is built on six core challenges:
- Zero CO₂ emissions from new vehicles through hybrid, BEV, and hydrogen fuel cell adoption.
- Zero CO₂ emissions in manufacturing by shifting to renewable energy and low-carbon processes.
- Life cycle zero CO₂ emissions, including recycling and parts reuse.
- Minimizing water usage and improving water discharge quality.
- Protecting biodiversity around manufacturing sites and supply chains.
- Advancing a circular economy by extending product lifecycles and reducing waste.
Toyota aims to sell 1.5 million BEVs annually by 2026 and 3.5 million by 2030, alongside continuing hybrid and fuel cell development. This multi-path approach allows the company to meet varying customer needs and infrastructure readiness levels worldwide.

Green Manufacturing: Major Investments in Low-Carbon Plants and ESG
Toyota’s largest new sustainability investment is a ¥140 billion ($922 million) advanced paint facility in Georgetown, Kentucky. Set to open in 2027, the plant will reduce paint shop carbon emissions by 30% and cut water use by 1.5 million gallons annually.
In Japan, Toyota is piloting hydrogen-powered forklifts and solar-powered assembly lines. The company will use 100% renewable electricity for its manufacturing in Europe by 2030.
These projects reduce environmental impact and boost operational efficiency. They support Toyota’s goals of sustainability and profitability.
Beyond emissions, Toyota is strengthening its broader ESG performance. The company has strict human rights rules for suppliers. These rules include labor conditions, conflict minerals, and environmental compliance. By 2030, Toyota aims for 90% of its top suppliers to set their own science-based emissions targets.
In 2024, Toyota diverted 94% of waste from landfills globally and recycled over 99% of scrap metal from manufacturing. It also invested in reforestation projects in Asia and Africa as part of its carbon offset strategy.
Balancing Short-Term Pressures With Long-Term Goals
The April–June quarter highlighted Toyota’s resilience in the face of macroeconomic challenges. Tariffs and currency changes have hurt short-term profits. However, strong vehicle sales, especially in hybrids, keep the company competitive.
At the same time, Toyota is moving ahead with one of the most thorough sustainability programs in the auto industry. Its carbon neutrality goals and the Environmental Challenge 2050 framework guide its actions. Also, large-scale green manufacturing investments help meet the growing demands for cleaner mobility from regulators and consumers.
As Toyota navigates market volatility, its ability to deliver both financial and environmental strategies will be key to maintaining global leadership in the shift toward sustainable transportation.
The post Toyota’s (TM Stock) Q1 Twist: Why Profits Dip But Hybrids Surge, and Net Zero Goals Accelerate appeared first on Carbon Credits.
Carbon Footprint
JOBY Aviation Stock Soars on Blade Acquisition and Electric Air Taxi Commercial Launch Plans
Joby Aviation Inc. (NYSE: JOBY) is closing in on its dream of launching electric air taxis. The California-based company has spent years building its all-electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, designed for fast, quiet, and convenient city travel.
This August, Joby made a series of bold moves that pushed it closer to commercial operations, from a high-profile acquisition and defense partnership to major FAA progress and manufacturing growth. Investors noticed, sending the stock near record highs.
Blade Deal Unlocks Instant Market Access and Growth
One of the month’s biggest headlines came on August 4, when Joby announced plans to acquire Blade Air Mobility’s passenger business for up to $125 million in cash or stock.
The deal is a game-changer. Blade brings premium infrastructure, including dedicated terminals at major New York airports and a strong presence in Southern Europe. More importantly, it comes with a loyal customer base — more than 50,000 passengers flew Blade in 2024.
By absorbing Blade’s passenger operations, Joby gains instant market access without the time and expense of building from scratch. The acquisition is expected to slash infrastructure costs, speed up customer acquisition, and put Joby ahead of competitors in key urban corridors.
The transaction is set to close in the coming weeks, pending customary approvals. Once complete, Blade’s passenger services will continue under Joby’s ownership, setting the stage for a smooth integration.
- READ MORE: Boosting Aviation Carbon Credits: ICAO Greenlights Verra’s VCS Program for CORSIA Carbon Market
Defense Partnership Opens a New Revenue Stream
Joby revealed another major move, a collaboration with defense contractor L3Harris.
The partnership will develop a gas turbine hybrid variant of Joby’s existing eVTOL aircraft for low-altitude defense missions. The design aims to combine Joby’s manufacturing expertise with L3Harris’ deep defense technology capabilities.
Flight testing is set to begin this fall, with operational demonstrations planned during government exercises in 2026.
This venture signals Joby’s ambition to be more than just a commercial passenger service. By stepping into the defense sector, Joby diversifies its revenue streams and showcases its aircraft’s versatility for both civilian and military use.
FAA Certification Moves Into Final Stages
On August 6, Joby shared a crucial regulatory update. It has started final assembly of its first FAA-approved electric air taxi, a major step toward Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) flight testing. This stage needs FAA-approved test plans, a certified design, and proven manufacturing — all of which Joby has achieved, with over 50% of its test plans already accepted.
- Joby’s balance sheet is strong, ending Q2 2025 with $991 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities.
The company also closed the first $250 million tranche of a $500 million strategic investment from Toyota, one of Joby’s largest and most influential partners.
For 2025, Joby expects to use between $500 million and $540 million in cash, excluding the Blade acquisition. Revenue remains small, just $59,600 expected for Q2, but growth projections are huge, with a forecasted 900% year-on-year increase from a low base.
JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, said,
“This is a pivotal moment. Regulatory progress around the world is unlocking market access, our commercialization strategy is taking hold, and we’re now focused on scaling production to meet real demand—a challenge we’re fully committed to and working hard to deliver on.”
JOBY Stock Surge Reflects Growing Investor Confidence
Joby’s recent string of announcements sent its stock soaring. In the past month alone, shares have jumped more than 70% due to heavy trading. Year-to-date, the stock has risen 142%, surpassing its market capitalization of $14 billion.
However, volatility remains. Analyst price target changes and insider sales have caused swings, but the long-term outlook hinges more on regulatory milestones than short-term earnings.

Manufacturing Expansion Doubles Output
To meet growing demand, Joby expanded its Marina, California, manufacturing facility to 435,000 square feet. This upgrade will double production capacity to 24 aircraft per year.
Meanwhile, its newly renovated Dayton, Ohio, site is ramping up to produce and test key aircraft components. Over time, Dayton could scale to build up to 500 aircraft annually, making it a cornerstone of Joby’s manufacturing strategy.
International Partnerships Boost Global Reach
Joby is not just looking at U.S. cities. The company also announced an expanded partnership with ANA Holdings in Japan.
The two companies plan to deploy over 100 Joby air taxis starting in Tokyo, creating an urban air mobility ecosystem complete with dedicated vertiports and operational support. The partnership will leverage Toyota’s network and government cooperation to fast-track development.
Joby also signed new agreements with Abdul Latif Jameel and ANA to explore deploying approximately 300 aircraft in other markets.
What’s Next for Joby Aviation?
With the Blade acquisition, defense partnership, FAA certification progress, and global expansion, Joby is executing on multiple fronts at once.
The next 12 months will be critical. If Joby completes certification on schedule, ramps production, and integrates Blade’s passenger network, it could be one of the first eVTOL companies to operate at scale.
For now, investors are betting big that Joby’s head start, strategic partnerships, and strong balance sheet will translate into a dominant position in the fast-emerging air taxi market.
Joby Aviation isn’t just inching toward launch; it’s accelerating. From New York to Dubai to Tokyo, the pieces are falling into place for a global eVTOL network. If all goes according to plan, 2026 could be the year flying taxis move from concept to reality.
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