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

Japan mulls biodiversity net gain scheme to offset river degradation

The Japanese government is considering establishing a biodiversity offsetting scheme similar to the biodiversity net gain (BNG) law in England to compensate for habitat degradation driven by flood control, chief researchers at the infrastructure ministry have told Carbon Pulse.

MARKET

Academics launch independent standard for high-integrity biodiversity, carbon credits

A group of academics have launched a community-focused standard for high-integrity carbon and biodiversity credits to address the growing demand for reliable markets, the team leader has told Carbon Pulse.

Biodiversity credits to receive significant portion of private finance, expert says

A substantial share of private finance will flow towards biodiversity credits as investors are confident demand for them will surge in coming years, a think tank researcher has said.

Verra makes corrections to three plastic programme documents

US carbon credits certifier Verra has on Monday published corrections and clarifications to several documents in its Plastic Waste Reduction programme.

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Investors announce Australian regenerative agriculture partnership

Two investors on Wednesday announced an Australian partnership focused on ecosystem services and regenerative agriculture.

POLICY

Australia’s New South Wales introduces biodiversity offsets bill

The New South Wales government in Australia introduced a bill to reform the biodiversity offsets scheme to its Parliament on Thursday, requiring developers take measures to prioritise avoiding environmental harm.

SCIENCE & TECH

AI-powered drone laser data aims to transform biodiversity measurements

Cambridge researchers are leveraging the capabilities of drones, lasers, and AI to try to transform the speed and accuracy of assessing biodiversity and carbon in forests.

—————————————————

BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

MARKET

Argentine credits – A group of senators from the Corrientes, Argentina, have presented a bill to boost restoration activities within the area, including the reintroduction of key species of flora and fauna. The initiative aims, among other things, to promote the development of financial tools such as biodiversity and carbon credits, to be applied in both public and private lands. (El Libertador)

Lift-off – The International Crane Foundation has registered a carbon project with Verra that spans across 90,000 ha in Drakensberg in South Africa. The project will earn carbon credits for the CO2 it sequesters, but is also a long-term commitment to protect threatened grassland and wetland crane habitat in the region, the foundation said. The area is home to wattled, blue, and grey crowned cranes, but has been at risk from mining, infrastructure development, invasive species, fire, and agricultural expansion.

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Getting its toes wet – Nestle Purina PetCare Europe has joined the Norwegian Marine Restoration (NoMaRe) initiative as a founding member, it announced this week. Launched in January, the initiative aims to restore more than 5,000 sq. km of kelp forests that have been lost along the Norwegian coast over the past few decades. Nestle Purina will help build the knowledge and engagement required to achieve NoMaRe’s goals, it said.

Insetting – Biodiversity credit project developer RePlanet has announced a new partnership with London-based SLR Consulting to allow the consultancy’s clients access to RePlanet’s expertise. This could benefit companies looking to quantify the biodiversity benefits of their offsetting, or insetting projects. RePlanet has previously worked with SLR on a biodiversity credit project in Scotland.

Forest debris felled – A New Zealand court has ruled the China Forestry Group must cease the discharge of woody debris and sediment, following action from a council and an environmental group. Other requirements affect waste removal, water controls, and reporting, some of which must be carried out this year. “All involved in this proceeding agree the problems that have occurred in recent years are unacceptable,” the ruling said. (The Country)

POLICY

Protecting elephants – Nigeria has presented a national plan to reverse the decline of the country’s elephant population. The 10-year National Elephant Action Plan was launched on Tuesday during a government event, in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Elephant Protection Initiative. The plan seeks to reduce illegal elephant killings, conserve their habitats through land-use planning, and create wildlife corridors to mitigate conflicts with communities.

Setting targets – While China released its NBSAP in January, province-level governments in the country are now hammering out plans. Shanxi province in northern China this week released a strategy with 28 priority actions to be taken in order to meet goals such as protecting 80% of key wild plant and animal species, increasing forest coverage by 22.6%, and grassland vegetation coverage by 73.5%. The strategy includes plans to build a social action system for biodiversity conservation, enhancing biodiversity protection management capabilities, and optimising the layout of conservation sites, China Daily reports.

SCIENCE & TECH

Whale wail – Greenpeace has discovered several vulnerable species of animals in an Norwegian waters that recently opened for deep sea mining. Researchers recorded audio and visual data of four groups of sperm whales, minke whales, and dolphins. “The Norwegian push for deep-sea mining is anti-science, irresponsible, and the opposite of what we need in the midst of an ongoing crisis for both the ocean and the climate,” Greenpeace said.

Beaver boom – A “beaver baby boom” is happening across Great Britain this summer in areas where they had previously been extinct, following releases of the animals. Baby beavers, kits, have been seen in London, Kent, and Northumberland, The Guardian said. There are about 1,500 beavers in Scotland and up to 800 in England.

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