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: Biodiversity markets could help Venice recover from lagoon ecosystems disaster
A Venice-based conservation group is eyeing the biodiversity credit market to save the Italian city’s lagoon ecosystems from destruction driven by shipping and mass tourism.
MARKET
Brazilian startup to issue first biodiversity credits for endangered plants in 2025
A Brazilian startup has finalised a biodiversity credit pilot project in a private rural area in the country, planning to publish its methodology focused on conserving and restoring endangered plant species in the next few weeks and make the first transaction by mid-2025, the company told Carbon Pulse.
French investor considers generating Costa Rican biodiversity credits
A French asset manager is considering generating voluntary biodiversity credits from a conservation project in Costa Rica, part of which is preparing to produce carbon credits, Carbon Pulse has learned.
Scientists say nature-based credit markets must prove additionality before sales
Nature-based carbon and biodiversity markets should only sell credits after their impact has been scientifically proven in a bid to make them credible and scale investments, a new study has said.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Only 4% of major companies target water pollution, nature benchmark shows
Just 4% of major companies globally have set targets to reduce their water pollution, the World Benchmarking Alliance said in a survey published on Wednesday.
Think tank launches framework to scale nature investments in Global South
An Indian think tank has launched a framework to try to drive investments in nature-based solutions (NBS) in the so-called Global South by measuring their potential benefits.
Egyptian NGO partners with energy firms to protect migratory birds in the Gulf of Suez
An Egyptian nonprofit conservation group is launching a large project to protect thousands of migratory birds from the threats posed by electricity power lines in the Gulf of Suez, it announced on Thursday.
Pegasus Capital looks to invest in nature opportunities with system-wide impacts
US-headquartered private equity investor Pegasus Capital Advisors is looking to invest in nature-related companies via its land and ocean funds to help improve the sustainability of entire economic systems.
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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Plastic effect – A report released by Allianz Trade has shown that plastic waste not only endangers marine wildlife, but also affects fishing, aquaculture, coastal tourism, and the shipping industry. According to the analysis, at current rates of production, it could lead to an estimated economic loss of $197 bln by 2030 and $434 bln by 2050. “But if plastic production continues to increase without the introduction of mitigation measures, these costs could escalate to $229 bln by 2030 and as much as $731 bln by 2050,” the report said.
Nature runs its course – The UN-backed Principles for Responsible Banking Academy has launched a nature course focusing on practical approaches for banks engaging, or considering how to engage, with nature. The Applying Nature-Responsible Banking course aims to guide banks on how to reduce their negative impacts and amplify positive ones, providing the knowledge and skills for supporting a nature-positive transition.
Gridlock – Conservationists at UK non-profit Kent Wildlife Trust are encouraging people to comment on National Grid’s plans to install an electricity cable that affects a bay of international importance for wildlife in Ramsgate, Southern England. The trust has campaigned for the National Grid to build along one of five other routes it says would be less environmentally harmful. The utility company’s consultation on the topic is open until Aug. 11.
Restorative – A restoration project covering almost 600 ha in Spain has been announced in an alliance between Carbon2Nature and Hummingbirds. The initiative aims to restore degraded land by afforesting 60 ha of barren land, and by sustainably managing 535 ha of forest. This includes reforesting 317 ha, and gradually converting coniferous forests into ecologically valuable mixed forests.
POLICY
Two deals – The UN Development Programme (UNDP) formalised two agreements with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Ecology during a meeting on Tuesday, including one for implementing the eighth phase of the GEF Small Grants Programme in the country. The initiative, to be launched in 2025, will support the development of the NBSAP by enhancing the engagement of local communities and specialists in restoration efforts across the country’s threatened ecosystems. UNDP will also provide support to Afghan citizens living in Uzbekistan by engaging them in the UN-backed Yashil Makon afforestation project.
Conserving nature – Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and national oil and gas company PTTEP have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly manage the country’s natural resources. The partnership will include the conservation and restoration of biodiversity, the application of technology to support these efforts, and also help youth in promoting and providing education about environmental conservation. The cooperation of both agencies will improve Thailand’s natural resources and environment, the government said.
SCIENCE & TECH
Ghost gear – The University of Rhode Island has received a $2.5 mln grant from renewables company Orsted to monitor biodiversity while tackling ‘ghost gear’ – abandoned fishing equipment – surrounding an under-construction wind farm off the coast of the US. The research, called Monitoring Technologies for Ghost Gear and Ecosystem Biodiversity, will be conducted in collaboration with other institutions.
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