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 STORY

INTERVIEW: Most biodiversity credit methodologies fail to address uncertainty

Existing biodiversity credit methodologies largely fail to address uncertainty in measuring biodiversity change, which could result in misleading assessments of nature conservation and restoration projects, researchers have told Carbon Pulse.

MARKET

One approach to measuring biodiversity credits gains momentum -research

A single approach to measuring nature is emerging as the core method across disclosures, targets, and biodiversity credit markets, researchers said in an article seen by Carbon Pulse.

Australia issues tender to develop first methodologies under Nature Repair Market

The Australian government has issued a call for partners to help develop a pipeline of methods to make projects eligible for earning credits under the Nature Repair Market (NRM), with A$3 million ($2 mln) available in funding during FY2024-25.

Article 6 for nature needed to drive regulation on biodiversity credits, expert says

Establishing an international mechanism to regulate the trade of biodiversity credits globally is key to supporting government action and bolstering market uptake, the head of a biodiversity credit project developer said on Friday.

Use UK biodiversity net gain system for nutrient credits, says lobby group

The UK government should apply parts of the biodiversity net gain (BNG) system to nutrient neutrality, in a bid to galvanise much-needed private investment, market actors told the government in a letter seen by Carbon Pulse.

BUSINESS & FINANCE

TNFD, GRI release joint guidelines to enhance disclosure alignment

The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) have released guidelines to help companies align their nature-related disclosures.

Mangrove conservation efforts gaining traction, report finds

Efforts to conserve mangroves are building momentum, but significant funding from insurance, philanthropy, and carbon is still needed to achieve international objectives, according to a report released Friday.

PROJECTS

Scottish estate with reforestation scheme up for sale amid criticism 

A £12-million Scottish estate with a carbon project has been unexpectedly put up to sale amid criticisms of greenwashing.

SCIENCE & TECH

Watchdog identifies endangered forest land in two Malaysian states listed for online sale

Over 85,000 hectares of potentially endangered forests in two major Malaysian states are advertised for sale on online marketplaces, a rapid response report by climate watchdog Rimbawatch revealed Friday.

Mineral extraction puts over 4,600 animal species at risk, study says

Over 4,600 animal species are threatened by mineral extraction worldwide, with increasing demand for raw materials needed for clean energy technologies among the drivers of biodiversity loss, according to a new scientific paper released on Monday.

—————————————————

BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

MARKET

Check the label – Verra has formally launched its voluntary carbon market quality label for forestry projects, it said Monday. Project developers may now apply for the ‘Abacus’ label, available for assignment to carbon credits issued under the standard’s VM0047 afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation methodology, which will significantly go above and beyond what is required by Verra’s quality threshold. (Carbon Pulse)

Premium – A Perth-headquartered company has partnered with a Traditional Owners group in Western Australia’s Goldfields region for a project over a huge tract of land it says will generate premium-priced carbon credits with major biodiversity benefits. Developer Salubris said in a statement the carbon and biodiversity partnership with the Marlinyu Ghoorlie peoples is a way to create long term generational wealth via work that will generate “significant” pricing premiums for their carbon credits. The company is backed by Perth stockbrokers Argonaut, who are big in the resources sector, and the Goldfields region is home to multiple mining projects. (Carbon Pulse)

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Rooting for Ghana – Plan Vivo Foundation has selected Ghanaian agroforestry company Oko Forests as one of eight initiatives it will support through its accelerator programme, it said in a post on LinkedIn. Over six months, Oko will receive training, funding, and mentorship. The company seeks to help smallholder farmers shift away from monoculture agriculture, with benefits for soil, biodiversity, and the climate.

POLICY

Urban wetlands – The government of Laos has announced an initiative to advance urban wetland restoration efforts in the city of Vientiane. The programme, supported by the government of New Zealand and the Global Green Growth Institute, will leverage nature-based solutions to create urban environments that are more resilient to climate change. Planned activities include restoring marshes around the Nong Loup Ian wetland.

Green fund – The Greens party in the Australia Capital Territory has put forward a proposal to establish a fund aimed at enhancing vulnerable species protection and supporting habitat restoration efforts in Canberra. Under the initiative, A$50 mln ($32 mln) would be allocated to the vehicle, dubbed the Bush Capital Restoration Fund. Canberra is home to a list of 72 threatened species, said the party in a statement, adding that the fund’s implementation would involve collaboration with Indigenous communities to ensure their participation in decision-making processes.

Joining forces – The US Agency for International Development has partnered with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center to launch a five-year programme to bolster the management of fisheries and aquaculture resources while protecting marine biodiversity in the Indo-Pacific region. The initiative intends to foster the implementation of ad hoc fishery policies by national governments, as well as ensure that commercial and small-scale fishers have the financial and human resources needed to adopt sustainable practices.

SCIENCE & TECH

Mining movement – Over half (56%) of Europeans back a temporary ban on deep-sea mining, according to Ipsos research commissioned by WeMove Europe, Seas At Risk, and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition. The poll of 3,043 adults in Belgium, Italy and Poland was conducted from July 3-7. The release of the results coincides with International Seabed Authority negotiations in Jamaica. A moratorium would prevent irreversible ecological damage.

Roaring years – The non-profit Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has reported that tiger numbers in Thailand’s Western Forest Complex increased by 250% from 2007 to 2023. WCS Thailand director, Pornkamol Jornburom, attributed this recovery to the efforts of Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, which implemented effective patrolling to protect tigers and their prey from poaching and habitat destruction. Tigers in other parts of the region continue to face significant threats from poachers and the loss of their forested habitats.

Got a tip? How about some feedback? Email us at news@carbon-pulse.com