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
ANALYSIS: More nature-related shareholder proposals trigger corporate resistance
Investor interest in nature has ramped up in this year’s voting season, boosted by some of the first calls for standard-aligned biodiversity disclosures, with financiers hailing a surge in awareness despite more corporate resistance.
MARKET
INTERVIEW: Corporate alliance forms to explore potential of biodiversity credit market
The World Economic Forum (WEF) and consultants McKinsey & Co have taken the lead in initiating a Frontrunners Coalition seeking to contribute to shaping the development of and building confidence in the emerging voluntary biodiversity credit market.
Australian firm launches nature certificates tied to microplastics clean-up
An Australian data services company on Wednesday announced the launch of a subscription-based nature certificate intended to help fund efforts to prevent plastic pollution off the coast of Sydney, but that can be extended to other locations globally.
Assessments of biodiversity impacts of corporate carbon credits revealed
US corporations Delta Air Lines and Chevron are among the companies purchasing low percentages of carbon credits associated with stronger biodiversity scores, according to a study that relies on a new metric.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Asset manager sets aside 10% of 1,900-ha regenerative agriculture project for biodiversity
Climate Asset Management has acquired 1,900 hectares of farmland collectively across areas of Spain and Portugal for regenerative agriculture, setting aside 10% for biodiversity while exploring ecosystem services.
Mengniu releases dairy industry’s first nature-related report based on TNFD recommendations
A Chinese dairy giant has become the first company in the industry to release its nature-related information disclosure on risks and impacts based on the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) guidelines, the firm announced Thursday.
PepsiCo biodiversity disclosure proposal receives 18% of votes
Approximately 18% of shareholders at drinks giant PepsiCo voted in favour of a resolution to disclose its biodiversity impacts on Wednesday, Carbon Pulse has learned.
PROJECTS
Scottish consultancy has 7,000-ha pipeline of peatland restoration projects
Caledonian Climate has approximately 7,000 hectares collectively of peatland restoration projects in the pipeline with clients for 2024-25 in Scotland, many of which will probably be eligible for generating biodiversity credits, an executive has said.
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CONFERENCE
The HackSummit, Europe’s largest gathering of ClimateTech builders and investors is coming to Lausanne, Switzerland on June 13-14. And you’re invited. You’ll be in great company with 1,500 of the brightest minds in climate and biodiversity, including Marty Odlin of Running Tide, Kevin Webb of Superorganism, Zoe Balmforth of Pivotal, Leo Caprez of BrainForest and Sonja Stuchtey of The Landbanking Group. And it’ll probably be the most fun you’ll have at a ClimateTech Summit this year. Ready to join? Use the code CARBONPULSE20 to save 20% on your pass.
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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
MARKET
Funds are on the way – Developer Imperative Global Projects and advisory Crossboundary Group have teamed up to launch an early-stage funding facility to invest in nature-based solutions in the Amazon and Africa, they announced Tuesday. The Fund for Nature was designed to catalyse investable, large-scale nature-based carbon projects in critical ecosystems in emerging markets. The first project funded under the facility is a large-scale reforestation and revegetation project in Sub-Saharan Africa covering up to 10,000 ha of badly degraded land, a statement from Crossboundary said. (Carbon Pulse)
Carbon reservoirs – The Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal can potentially act as carbon reservoirs, storing huge amounts of CO2 that will help to decarbonise industrial clusters and can aid India to achieve its net zero targets, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have found. Scientists revealed that CO2 can be stored permanently in the ocean in the form of solid hydrates or liquid pools beyond a certain depth, without harming the marine ecology. Countries such as Norway and Denmark are already working on CO2 storage in the North Sea. (Carbon Pulse)
POLICY
G7 pledges – G7 nations committed to accelerating protection of ecosystems as part of a swathe of promises that included ending coal power by 2035, in a statement released on Tuesday. The group said it would “stimulate innovative schemes, such as payment for ecosystem services, green bonds, biodiversity offsets and credits, and benefit-sharing mechanisms, with environmental and social safeguards”, using similar language to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. (Carbon Pulse)
Mine your business – The Philippines environment and natural resources ministry and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau have commenced a nationwide programme called PLASTIKalikasan to address plastic waste in the mining sector. The programme will serve as a platform for mining and mineral processing companies to collect, recycle, reuse, and dispose plastic waste, a statement said this week. The bureau will develop details for the mechanism, including the types of incentives that will be accepted and eligibility criteria.
Civil society strikes back – An Indonesian group of civil society representatives reported a plantation forest holder to the environment and forest ministry this week, Indonesian news reported. Representatives of the Kualan indigenous community in West Kalimantan’s Ketapang allege PT Mayawana Persana contributed to 35,000 ha of deforestation from its 136,800 ha holding over the past eight years. The large coalition of groups, made up largely of environmental and forestry actors, allege a large portion of the lost forests were peatlands, with drainage contributing to almost 800,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions as a result.
SCIENCE & TECH
Concerns – The New York Times has reported concerns over Biden’s administration’s commitment to conserve 30% of waters and seas by 2030. According to some scientists who study marine protected areas, the US plan would count certain commercial fishing zones as conserved. Scientists referred to a figure mentioned in the website launched by federal officials to track 30×30 progress, according to which one-third of the country’s marine areas are currently conserved. However, scientists believe that the figure contains areas where some fishing methods are allowed.
Farmer drama – The EU’s nature restoration law will only work if implemented in partnership with farmers, a group of scientists has said in an open letter posted by University ETH Zurich’s faculty Crowther Lab. The letter, signed by researchers from the University of Oxford, Wageningen University, and Yale University, said: “At no point in history has there been more pressure on farmers. They are responsible for feeding an ever-growing population. And now we want them to save us all from the global climate and biodiversity crises, at the same time as market forces keep making the financial situation harder.” (The Guardian)
Fiji’s mangroves – A five-year mangrove research programme has been launched in the Fiji capital Suva, The Mirage reported. Project Halophyte, the country’s largest ever mangrove regeneration project, is a collaborative effort between UNSW Sydney and the University of the South Pacific (USP), aimed at restoring mangrove growth and aquatic systems in partnership with local communities along the coast of Viti Levu. It will also enhance the understanding of how mangroves provide ecosystem services that support coastal livelihoods.
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