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
FEATURE: “The next big frontier”: High hopes for nature insurance to scale biodiversity markets
Biodiversity markets will have a hard time establishing and attracting financing on a large scale unless insurers step in for nature, experts have told Carbon Pulse.
INTERVIEW: Investors’ growing demand for Africa’s natural assets can plug gap in long-term conservation
Investors’ demand for natural assets in Africa is increasing, with the private sector set to play an important role in bridging the gap in long-term land conservation in the region, the CEO of a conservation investment group has told Carbon Pulse.
MARKET
Financial technology platform releases methodology for tokenised biodiversity credits
A financial technology platform has released a methodology for creating tokenised biodiversity credits, with details on how to ensure projects meet integrity standards and units are tradeable.
Mexican non-profit plans to earn biodiversity, carbon credits for spider monkey reintroduction
A Mexican non-profit has partnered with a France-based environmental company to launch a biodiversity and carbon credit project aimed at reintroducing spider monkeys on a 600-hectare area in Mexico, Carbon Pulse has learned.
INTERVIEW: Developers unclear on how to source biodiversity net gain units
The rules for buying offsite units to comply with England’s biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements aren’t clear enough for developers currently, with some local authorities better equipped to advise on the market than others, according to a sustainability consultancy working with large building clients.
Plastic credits can support rollout of extended producer responsibility schemes, says Verra
Plastic credits can support the implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), according to a new report by carbon standard Verra.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Alliance pushes for systemic marine change to overcome financing challenges
A marine alliance is pushing for system-wide change to financing marine protected areas (MPAs), as a site-by-site approach is not working, an executive has said.
POLICY
Australia offers another A$200 mln to aid Great Barrier Reef
The Australian government will spend an additional A$192 million ($129 mln) to improve and protect the Great Barrier Reef’s water quality in order to prevent bleaching events and aid recovery when they do occur.
UK at risk of missing 30×30 target, study says
The UK might not achieve the 30×30 target of protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030 if urgent actions are not implemented by the government, a think tank has said.
EU’s anti-deforestation law lucky chance for small farmers, non-profit says
The EU regulation on deforestation-free products is providing small farmers with a unique opportunity to gain market access and be a privileged supplier, an environmental non-profit has told Carbon Pulse.
SCIENCE & TECH
Academics propose coordinating nature positive research for businesses
A framework for coordinating research on nature positive action by businesses with four core components, in line with international targets, has been proposed by a group of UK academics.
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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
Himalayan credits – A non-profit in Bhutan is exploring the opportunity of generating and trading international carbon credits from tree planting projects, according to local media. The Bhutan Ecological Society has set itself a target of planting 10 million trees by 2030, under a programme designed to help Bhutan maintain its forest cover above 70% and provide long-term economic benefits, national newspaper Kuensel reported Monday. (Carbon Pulse)
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Not enough – WWF and global management consultancy Oliver Wyman have released a white paper calling for integrating biodiversity considerations into infrastructure investment decisions. Currently, the majority of investors evaluate climate change impacts (82%), but they are less keen to assess other environmental impacts such as habitat change (59%), resource use (45%), pollution (39%), and the spread of invasive species (12%), according to the paper.
Not losing – Finland’s development finance institution has adopted a policy of “no net loss” of biodiversity on its investments. The Finnfund commitment follows it already investing in companies with no negative net effects on biodiversity, it claimed. The organisation investigates the impacts of its investments on natural habitats and Indigenous Peoples, it said. Finnfund has over €1 bln invested, half in Africa.
POLICY
Sustainable timber – The New South Wales government in Australia announced on Monday the establishment of an expert panel to lead consultation on a Forestry Industry Action Plan. The panel will be tasked with outlining actions to ensure a sustainable timber industry that aligns with the government’s environmental priorities. The body will consult with a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives from the timber industry, forest growers, environment groups, Aboriginal communities, and local government.
Walk back – New Zealand ministers will no longer have the final say on approving infrastructure projects, the government said, announcing changes to its Fast-track Approvals bill, Radio New Zealand reported. The act has been criticised by environmental groups, however the coalition has argued it is needed to speed up development. Ministers announced a suit of changes to the proposed legislation, which is currently before the Environment Select Committee for consideration. The proposed changes would mean final decisions on projects would sit with the expert panel, rather than with ministers.
Money box – The Scottish government has decided to redirect money from the Nature Restoration Fund to cover wage settlements in local authorities, BBC Scotland News reported. Approximately £5 mln from the fund will be used to settle pay deals, with the government assuring that this amount will be replenished in the future.
Biosphere conservation – The Canadian government has announced it will invest over C$11.7 mln ($8.6 mln) to enhance the conservation of the country’s 19 UNESCO biosphere regions. The funding, designated for the period from 2023 to 2026, includes C$2 mln specifically for four regions in Quebec. The initiative aims to support restoration activities conducted in collaboration with local stakeholders, as well as to protect habitats through land acquisition.
Keep roaring – The Malaysian government has designated 90,000 ha of land across five states as protected areas under the Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation initiative, The Star reported. The step announced on Friday aims to advance national efforts to preserve the habitat of the endangered Malayan tiger.
Peatland first – The Democratic Republic of Congo has stepped back from plans to auction oil concessions on protected areas in the Congo Basin with carbon project potential, according to a press release. The Central African nation’s decision in 2022 to auction oil concessions in carbon-rich protected areas sparked international criticism, and the country was forced to delay the tender several times. (Carbon Pulse)
SCIENCE & TECH
Great Barrier Reef trouble – The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has released its five-yearly report for the outlook of the reef, showing that the ecosystem is in “major long-term decline” despite some investments that have been made. “The Great Barrier Reef is in very serious trouble,” the report said, adding that catchment restoration activities will aid the health of the reef but cannot match the scale of destruction occurring due to marine heatwaves caused by climate change.
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