Presenting Biodiversity Pulse, Carbon Pulse’s free newsletter on the biodiversity market. It’s a twice-weekly summary of our news plus bite-sized updates from around the world. Subscribe here
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TOP STORY
INTERVIEW: Land restoration company counts on capital injection to scale nature credits model
A UK-based land restoration company is counting on capital from an investment fund to help scale its model of buying up land for natural capital purposes.
MARKET
Asset manager, insurance company partner to launch fund for biodiversity credits -Bloomberg
A London-based investor has partnered with a British-American insurance company to start a biodiversity credit fund in the wake of England’s net gain (BNG) policy coming into force, Bloomberg reports.
Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator seeks alignment between Nature Repair Market, ACCU Scheme
The Australian government’s Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has said it will look to align processes in the newly-established Nature Repair Market with the country’s carbon market, as one of the key bodies overseeing the scheme.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Pollination plans blended regenerative agriculture fund worth billions
Plans for a blended finance regenerative agriculture facility that could raise billions of dollars are underway, led by Pollination and the Green Climate Fund, Carbon Pulse has learned.
Investment manager pressures companies for progress on biodiversity-related disclosures
A major investment manager has pledged to target companies failing to disclose their impacts on biodiversity with nature-related reputational and business risks poised to affect its portfolio.
Renewable energy developer, conservation group to cooperate on biodiversity restoration in Denmark
A Danish energy developer and a Copenhagen-headquartered nature conservation organisation have teamed up to bolster the protection and restoration of local biodiversity through ensuring that new renewable energy projects will positively impact nature.
Canadian asset manager launches biodiversity fund
A Montreal-based investment management firm has launched one of the first biodiversity-focused funds in Canada, seeking to channel resources towards the preservation of nature.
POLICY
UN wildlife summit expands species protection list, agrees strategic plan
Fourteen new migratory species will be protected under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) as delegates at the UN summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan committed to raising transboundary efforts on wildlife conservation.
Australian groups push for law to protect biodiversity in the Northern Territory
A group of scientific and conservation organisations have called for the Northern Territory (NT) to legislate biodiversity protection for the first time in an open letter to the chief minister, even as the federal government is in the process of reforming the national environmental law.
West African states aim for leading biodiversity plan with whole-region approach
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has stepped towards drafting a regional plan to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), as the organisation seeks to lead the way on nature conservation.
PROJECTS
IUCN launches C$30 mln marine biodiversity and gender project in Madagascar
IUCN has launched a C$30 million ($22.2 mln) initiative focused on protecting marine ecosystems while supporting women, in collaboration with the government of Madagascar.
SCIENCE & TECH
Global tree-planting initiatives drive massive biodiversity loss in African savannas, study finds
Misguided forest restoration initiatives are damaging ancient grassy habitats in Africa and beyond due to incorrect classification of ecosystems, putting biodiversity in an area bigger than France at risk, a study has found.
WEBINAR
Join Climate Impact Partners’ webinar to find out how your company can deliver biodiversity impact. In partnership with Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Climate Impact Partners is hosting a webinar on Tuesday 27 February about the importance of corporate action on biodiversity and how companies can deliver it. Register to learn more about the Save A Species program – an opportunity for your company to demonstrate real biodiversity impact by funding the conservation and recovery of a threatened tree species.
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BUSINESS & FINANCE
Coast to coast – The McWhorter Foundation has announced a $10-mln commitment to conserving the marine life and oceans of the Southern coast of Florida and California’s Western coast. The McWhorter Foundation’s Ocean Ambassador Trust seeks to address the main drivers of biodiversity loss in these habitats, such as coral bleaching, overfishing, and plastic pollution. It will support the development of technologies to cleanse the waters, and initiatives to restore marine habitats and protect threatened species.
Goan then – The government of the Indian state of Goa is partnering with the World Bank on a blended finance facility for low-carbon and climate-resilient investments, it said in a press release. Sustainable tourism, waste management, and water conservation all stand to benefit from the vehicle. “Resilience is a crucial aspect of our vision for a balanced Goa that bridges economy and ecology, and balances our aspirations for the health of our ecosystems, and the development and wellbeing of our people,” the government said.
POLICY
Stewardship – The US Department of Agriculture has announced a $20-mln investment to enable Native Americans to tap into emerging markets for forest resilience and climate mitigation. The funding from US President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act will be delivered through grants supporting activities such as forest management, reforestation, and biodiversity protection. The initiative targets federally recognised Tribes and Alaska Native corporations and villages. Tribes and Alaska Native corporations and villages. Proposals for the new grant opportunity can be submitted through Aug. 21, 2024.
Saving their skins – Killing donkeys for their skin will now be illegal in 55 African countries. The BBC reported that African state leaders have approved the donkey skin trade ban during the African Union summit in Ethiopia. Donkey massacre is linked to a Chinese medicine called Ejiao. Although unproven, it is believed to have health benefits. Due to this belief, donkey populations have collapsed in several countries, particularly in Africa and South America.
Mine line – The UK government has launched a science network for researching the environmental impacts of deep sea mining, it said in a press release. The network is open for applications from people who can help it better understand the environmental consequences of deep sea mining. It will work alongside the UK’s recent decision to support a moratorium on the granting of licences for mining projects.
SCIENCE & TECH
Guidance – The Finance for Biodiversity (FfB) Foundation has updated its guide aimed at assisting financial institutions in measuring their impacts on biodiversity. The latest version includes two new tools for assessing biodiversity impacts – Nature and Biodiversity Metrics (MSCI) and Biodiversity Impact Assessment Tool (ISS ESG). The guide was developed together with the EU Business and Biodiversity Platform.
Peat generation – The Ian Potter Foundation has allocated $1.43 mln to a research project seeking to investigate peatland ecosystems in Western Australia. Researchers will study, among other things, the protection strategies needed to preserve these habitats, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. Indigenous experts from the Walpole-Nornalup National Park Association will be involved in the programme.
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