Biodiversity Pulse: Thursday September 12, 2024

Published 17:18 on September 12, 2024  /  Last updated at 17:18 on September 12, 2024  / /  Biodiversity, Newsletters

A twice-weekly summary of our biodiversity news plus bite-sized updates from around the world. All articles in this edition are free to read (no subscription required).

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

Tanzanian developer partners with CreditNature to pilot biodiversity credits in the Kilimanjaro region

A Tanzania-based developer has partnered with CreditNature to launch a biodiversity credit pilot in the Kilimanjaro region by the end of November, Carbon Pulse has learned.

Brazil’s G20 bioeconomy initiative releases 10 principles

The G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy (GIB), led by the Brazilian government, launched 10 principles on Thursday covering topics such as inclusivity, location specificity, and traditional knowledge use.

MARKET

Brazilian carbon developer to market Indigenous-focused biodiversity credits at COP16

A Brazilian carbon developer and two organisations working with Indigenous communities are piloting a biodiversity credit project in the Amazon state, with two European companies interested in purchasing units after COP16, Carbon Pulse has learned.

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Natural capital investments could pass $1 trln within two decades, financier says

Total investments in the natural capital asset class could rise to $1 trillion or more over the next two decades, on the back of revenues from outputs including biodiversity markets, investor New Forests has said.

TOOLS & GUIDANCE

SBTN releases draft guidance on first science-based ocean targets

The Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) has put out for consultation draft guidance on the first scientific targets for ocean impacts, ahead of the full roll out in 2025.

Biodiversity data facility to deliver project grants following EU funding

The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) will launch a call for grant proposals in 2025 in several regions after receiving €4 million from the EU, in an outreach that will complement its work on ‘data cubes’, an executive has said.

POLICY

Scottish farmers need more detail about transition to nature-friendly farming as new legislation comes into play -webinar

There are still many unknowns about what will be required of farmers under an agricultural bill passed by the Scottish government in June, including on the incentives for woodland creation and peatland restoration, a trade body representative told a webinar on Wednesday.

Experts call for robust targets in Scottish nature bill

Scotland urgently needs strong targets to ensure impact in its forthcoming nature bill, covering areas ranging from habitats to species, experts said during a webinar on Wednesday.

Australian govt earmarks A$215 mln for species protection, habitat restoration

The Australian government has ringfenced over A$215 million ($143 mln) to ramp up efforts in nature restoration and native species protection, it announced Wednesday.

SCIENCE & TECH

Almost 40% of Amazon critical to climate remains unprotected, study unveils

Nearly 40% of the Amazon rainforest areas considered crucial for addressing the climate crisis still lack proper legal protection, with approximately 10.9 million hectares at potential risk, a report unveiled on Thursday.

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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

CP Data Dive – Nature-based voluntary carbon projects are becoming increasingly beneficial for biodiversity, according to new data from AlliedOffsets. This summer, AlliedOffsets launched its biodiversity score – a new rating available for 2,300 projects, which have issued over 450 million non-retired credits. More on the latest Carbon Pulse data dive.

Expert panel – Colombian standard Cercarbono has announced it is seeking conservation specialists for its Independent Biodiversity Experts Panel. Specialists will validate and verify biodiversity projects and review methodologies within the company’s Biodiversity Certification Programme. According to Cercarbono, the panel will be in charge of “ensuring scientific rigour, impartial assessment, and promoting innovation”.

Work it – The UK government wants to hear from biodiversity net gain actors such as marketplaces, habitat banks, agents, and landowners on the potential benefits and challenges of aggregating data on the supply of biodiversity units. A workshop on the topic will take place on Oct. 1, 10:00-11:30 GMT, said a government representative on LinkedIn. The workshop follows the Green Finance Institute flagging 40 challenges with the scheme last month.

BUSINESS & FINANCE

A new leaf – HSBC has partnered with charity Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF) to launch its Sustainable Farming Pathway. Farmers participating in the scheme, certified by LEAF, are eligible for discounted loan arrangement fees on applicable products between £25,001 and £25 mln. The initiative aims to support farmers transitioning to more sustainable farming practices, and contributing to a more resilient food supply chain, by offering access to discounted financing.

Crowning glory – The UK’s Crown Estate has published a report on how the UK’s seabed can better support the accelerated delivery of nature recovery while enabling the growth of renewable energy towards 2050. The organisation will digitally map the seabed to run scenarios on future demands from sectors, sea users, and nature. It will identify the best use of the area to deliver on biodiversity goals, sharing its nature targets in the first quarter of 2025, it said.

Available – Estonian firm Endangered Wildlife OU on Thursday announced it has launched a biodiversity database, designed to help leaders and decision-makers who are involved in developing biodiversity strategies and action plans. The database provides area-specific species data on issues such as life histories, population trends, species interactions, and more, the company said.

POLICY

Three goals – Colombia announced Thursday three goals of its biodiversity action plan, known as NBSAP, that will be officially presented during the COP16 UN biodiversity summit, to be held in Cali over Oct. 21-Nov. 1. The national plan will focus on integrating biodiversity and climate into decision-making; promoting sustainable production and benefit sharing; and addressing environmental crimes as drivers of biodiversity loss.

Wetland protection – The government of Western Australia has announced the creation of a reserve aimed at protecting one of only three inland wetlands in the country’s north-western region. The Fortescue Marsh Nature Reserve will contribute to protecting up to 1 mln waterbirds as well as critical habitats for wildlife species like the night parrot, northern quoll, greater bilby, and Pilbara olive python. The initiative is part of a wider effort to secure an additional 5 mln ha of national parks, marine parks, and other conservation reserves throughout Western Australia.

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