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: Biodiversity net gain exemptions “strangling demand”
Questionable exemptions for developers from England’s biodiversity net gain (BNG) rules are throttling demand for the market, a lawyer at Environment Bank has said.
Colombian carbon developer prepares to sell first Indigenous-led biodiversity credits
A Bogota-based carbon developer is piloting a biodiversity credit conservation project in an Indigenous reserve in the Amazon, planning to put the first credits on sale after COP16 in Colombia, the company has told Carbon Pulse.
MARKET
G20 should improve uptake of biodiversity credits, UNEP FI says
The G20 should support a credible market for biodiversity credits by taking measures to improve their uptake, the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) has said.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Regenerative agriculture finance to mobilise at scale in 2025, says executive
Large amounts of money will begin to flow into regenerative agriculture around the world next year, as organisations become more comfortable with the financing, an executive at Pollination has predicted.
POLICY
South Korea bets on OECMs in updated biodiversity plan to achieve marine conservation target
South Korea has published its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), outlining actions to scale up nature conservation efforts, including expanding Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) to bridge the country’s huge gap in marine protection.
US state agency delivers five-year plan to boost biodiversity protection
A Massachusetts state agency has released a five-year plan for preserving nature in the region, aiming to double its land protection efforts and implement restoration activities in water ecosystems by 2030.
SCIENCE & TECH
Study flags gaps in technologies used for monitoring biodiversity credit projects
Monitoring technologies commonly mentioned in biodiversity credit methodologies still have limitations that experts should take into account when engaging in nature markets, a study has said.
Human-wildlife overlap to increase across over half of land by 2070, study says
The overlap between humans and wildlife is expected to grow across more than half of land worldwide by 2070, with potentially grave implications for habitat and species conservation, a paper has said.
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EVENTS
ecology calling returns to London in September. Bringing the city’s thriving nature and biodiversity business community together for series II, the intimate weekly evening events are held in the Linnean Society of London’s Meeting Room where Darwin presented ‘On the Origin of Species’. Panel discussions by leaders in the field provide plenty of room for audience Q&A with further networking opportunities at the nearby pub afterwards. This series topics include: navigating greenwashing, advances in MRV with eDNA, beaver reintroduction in Britain, and technical considerations for nature finance, with more TBA. Use the ‘pulse20’ code to secure your discount on tickets.
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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
MARKET
New methodology – Gold Standard has revealed its first methodology for mangrove projects, which enables remote sensing for measurement and impact quantification. The new methodology, developed with Bonn-based company Forliance, introduces new activity requirements for supporting mangrove project development, such as the planting of native mangroves in areas that historically supported mangrove ecosystems. (Carbon Pulse)
Nature Repair Committee – The Australian government has appointed its first-ever Nature Repair Committee to advise on the set-up of the market, integrity, and methods, the environment minister said. “Their collective knowledge across agriculture, ecological science, economics, Indigenous knowledge, land management and environmental markets will help us deliver a successful NRM,” Tanya Plibersek said. The six-person group is chaired by Steve McCutcheon, a governing board member of the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Nature strategy – Construction materials company Aggregate Industries UK has published its first nature strategy, pledging to become a ‘nature-positive’ business by 2030. The company’s strategy involves implementing the Science Based Target Network’s framework for nature, as well as making sure that all quarries have biodiversity management and rehabilitation plans in place, exploring ways to improve nature at inactive sites, and giving priority to new developments at sites with lower ecological value.
Otter report – The owner of JCB is being forced to submit biodiversity reports in order to build a hotel, on the site of a former medieval mill, after a four-year planning battle, The Telegraph said. The area has signs of otters nearby. Last week, Lord Bamford’s development was approved on the condition it submits a biodiversity monitoring report to the local authority as much as every five years over 30 years.
POLICY
First time for everything – Japan has registered its first area in the World Database on OECMs, its environment ministry announced Thursday, a step that only had been taken before by 15 countries and territories worldwide. OECMs can count against national 30 by 30 targets under the GBF, but only once they are registered in the World Database. Japan had an area of 48,000 ha entered into the database, though none of that was registered under the government’s programme issuing OECM support certificates to companies that back such areas financially or in other ways. Japan is one of many countries planning to actively use OECMs towards its GBF targets.
A rare move – An Argentine federal judge has ordered a three-month halt to deforestation in the northern Chaco province, marking an unprecedented move to protect the threatened biome, Reuters reported. The decision came after an investigation into an alleged corruption case related to illegal land clearance involving both the private and public sectors.
Gone fishing – Fisheries management measures could be introduced for 20 sites in Scotland’s marine protected areas, following a government consultation on the topic launched this week. Proposals included either zoned or full restrictions on the use of specified types of fishing gear at 15 sites, alongside full exclusion of some gear types in the other five sites. The consultation runs until Oct. 14.
High in the mountains – UK conservation charity Traffic has launched a project to support communities and prevent biodiversity loss in the Himalayas, Nepal. The initiative aims to promote sustainable harvesting and trade of traditional plants, fungi, and herbs, and safeguard over 100,000 ha of high-altitude habitats. Through this project, Traffic expects to improve incomes and food security for thousands of individuals.
SCIENCE & TECH
Remote sensing for coral reefs – A group of scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) have developed an innovative remote sensing model to boost coral reef restoration efforts. According to the study, the method accurately maps habitat on the ocean floor, identifying the locations where young corals have the highest chance to establish and thrive. As explained by Ben Radford, lead author of the study, scientists can use the model to help decide which reef areas to protect or actively manage, in a bid to ensure coral life cycles continue and help reefs rebuild following events such as coral bleaching.
Clearing up – Legislation is not effectively preventing high rates of land clearing in Northern Australia, a report said on Wednesday. Two-thirds of clearing has potentially been non-compliant with at least one law, said the report led by a researcher at The University of Queensland. Most clearing relevant to the legislation is not being referred, it said.
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