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
All articles in this edition are free to read (no subscription required).
TOP STORIES
INTERVIEW: Poor demand from Global North hampers biodiversity credit uptake in Africa
European and North American companies are not keen to invest in biodiversity credit initiatives in Africa, as the continent strives for innovative funding solutions alongside carbon credits to preserve its nature, a conservation finance expert has told Carbon Pulse.
Australia asks EU to delay compliance on deforestation law
The Australian government has asked the EU to delay regulation that would prevent commodities linked to deforestation from being imported into the bloc.
MARKET
INTERVIEW: Chemical firm explores creating Brazilian nature offsets
The agricultural research arm of a Germany-headquartered chemical company is considering a pilot scheme at small-scale soybean farms in Brazil to create credits corporates can use to offset their nature impact.
Expert group advises EU Commission to ramp up efforts in shaping a biodiversity credit market
A high-level expert group on sustainable finance (HLEG) has advised the EU Commission to scale up the biodiversity credit market as a means to boost investments towards low and middle-income countries (LMICs).
BUSINESS & FINANCE
UK renewables company partners with consultancy on biodiversity net gain
UK-based company Queequeg Renewables is collaborating with Biodiverse Consulting on ensuring five solar projects meet their biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements, they said on Thursday.
English biotechnology catalyst launches with £5 mln
An initiative for spurring investment in biotechnology innovation in the North West of England led by the University of Manchester launched on Thursday, announcing three funding programmes, after receiving £5 million ($6.2 mln) in investment.
UK climate tech secures $15 mln in funding to enhance AI-enabled restoration tool
A British climate tech startup has raised $15.7 million in Series B funding as it seeks to further develop its AI-based platform for ecosystem restoration and expand into new markets, the company announced Wednesday.
Series of institutional investment natural capital funds prepares for launch
The investment arms of a Dutch bank and a Canadian pension fund are preparing a series of large natural capital funds focused on real assets that will launch on a new platform, expected to go live next year.
TOOLS & GUIDANCE
EU failing to protect remote marine areas, WWF says
EU countries are largely failing to protect their marine areas in the bloc’s most remote regions, with national strategies often misaligned with the European Green Deal goals, a WWF report said on Tuesday.
PROJECTS
Philippines govt, conglomerates team up to protect massive marine ecosystem
The Philippines government has partnered with three of the nation’s biggest conglomerates on the conservation of a 1.4-million hectare vital waterway, though some observers expressed concern as the same three firms recently started building an LNG facility in the area.
—————————————————
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.
—————————————————
BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
BUSINESS & FINANCE
UK nature – 50% of UK asset owners are already investing in natural capital, or will do so within the next 18 months, a report commissioned by asset manager Gresham House has found. Supporting climate adaptation and mitigation was the biggest driver of investment in natural capital, followed by the stewardship of members’ assets, and reducing nature-related investment risk, said the report by network Mallowstreet. Allocations to natural capital are likely to make up 3% to 5% of total assets, it said.
TOOLS & GUIDANCE
EU petition – A petition backing the EU Nature Restoration Law has gathered over 13,000 signatures. Sponsored by German MEP Jutta Paulus, the petition asks Alexander De Croo, chair of the EU Council presidency and Prime Minister of Belgium, to help pass the law. “The Environment Council responsible lacks a qualified majority – partly because De Croo continues lobbying against the agreement,” said the petition on Action Network’s website. Last month, the landmark law hit a potentially fatal deadlock.
POLICY
Orangutan diplomacy – Malaysia plans to use orangutans as gifts to major palm oil-importing countries – the EU, India, and China above all – in an effort to alleviate concerns about the environmental impact of the commodity, Reuters has reported. “This will prove to the global community that Malaysia is committed to biodiversity conservation,” the Malaysian plantations and commodities minister said Tuesday. The plan raised concerns among wildlife advocacy groups, who are urging the government to consider alternative measures.
Austrian NBSAP – Austria has submitted its National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP), a document which contains strategies, plans, or programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of a country’s biodiversity. According to the plan, the Austrian government plans to develop, among other things, a standardised rating system to map the biodiversity impact of companies, organisations, and production chains. The document also mentions the reduction of harmful subsidies as a key instrument to halt biodiversity loss, while outlining the need for increasing incentives that support nature-positive outcomes.
Teaming up – Uzbekistan has inked an agreement with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) aimed at bolstering biodiversity and conserving ecosystems across the nation, Daryo reports. The project aims to introduce cutting-edge practices and innovations to foster sustainable and inclusive wheat-based production landscapes and value chains. Moreover, it seeks to generate enhanced ecosystem services to sustain and restore ecosystems within production landscapes, thereby supporting agriculture for global environmental benefits and augmenting biodiversity at a regional scale.
A win for the lake – UK-based non-profit ClientEarth and Italian-based conservation organisation Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli (LIPU) have won a court case against Italian local authorities for immediately reversing the destruction of a protected lake polluted by hazelnut monocultures. According to a joint press release, the court ruled the local authorities had failed to protect Lake Vico, a protected site in the Lazio region, from pollution coming from intensive agriculture. They now have six months to reverse the destruction of the lake’s protected areas.
NSW decline – Biodiversity is declining in the Australian state of New South Wales despite its biodiversity market scheme, a government report found on Wednesday. Key findings included 50% of threatened species only being expected to survive for the next 100 years, only 29% of the capacity of habitat to support native species remains, and that past habitat loss and future climate change will significantly reduce the ability of landscapes to retain biodiversity over the next 50 years. However, land permanently secured for conservation exceeded 10% for the first time.
PROJECTS
Zimbabwe – WWF has started a programme to bolster climate resilience and biodiversity protection in Zimbabwe’s Binga and Hwange districts. The Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas (CAPA) initiative will engage with communities living in and around protected areas, and leverage nature-based solutions to enhance their resilience to the climate crisis. (NewsDay)
Got a tip? How about some feedback? Email us at news@carbon-pulse.com
