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). However, as of Oct. 24 we will require that all Biodiversity Pulse readers have a Carbon Pulse login to access our nature and biodiversity content in full. To get a login, sign up for a free trial of our news. If you’ve already had a trial, then you already have a login.

TOP STORY

INTERVIEW: French biodiversity credit scheme risks incentivising offsetting over impact avoidance

The voluntary biodiversity credit scheme announced in France could incentivise offsetting over the reduction and avoidance of impacts on nature, as the underlying rules have raised serious doubts over their effectiveness in recent years, a biodiversity consultant has told Carbon Pulse.

MARKET

Verra opens applications for Nature Framework expert panel

Crediting standard Verra has opened applications for a panel of biodiversity experts that will be tasked with reviewing projects under its Nature Framework, the company announced Thursday.

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Deep shifts in tackling biodiversity crisis can unlock business opportunities in the trillions, report finds

Fundamental shifts in how the world deals with the biodiversity crisis are urgently needed to halt and reverse nature loss, and could generate over $10 trillion in business opportunity value if implemented immediately, according to a report released Wednesday by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

POLICY

South Korea to phase down subsidies for biomass due to environmental concerns

South Korea announced Wednesday it will phase down subsidies for private and state-owned biomass facilities following widespread criticism over their impact on climate as well as the industry’s role in fuelling deforestation.

Brazilian state, national development bank launch $9.5 mln notice for Atlantic Forest restoration

A Brazilian state and the country’s national development bank announced Wednesday the launch of a public notice of up to R$60 million ($9.5 mln) to support about 30 local ecological restoration projects in the Atlantic Forest biome.

SCIENCE & TECH

New study could ‘lay the groundwork’ for biodiversity credit markets, author says

A soon-to-be-released method has proven effective in detecting hundreds of species in the Amazon combining AI and remote devices, with researchers planning to implement it globally in a way that could support science-based nature markets, the project leader told Carbon Pulse.

—————————————————

BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Biodiversity-focused bond – The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has issued a SEK 2-bln ($184 mln) bond to support projects that protect biodiversity and ecosystem services in emerging markets. Underwritten by Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB), the bond will help finance different initiatives, including the BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group’s Latin American reforestation strategy and BBVA Colombia’s biodiversity bond, designed to restore forests in the country.

Seeking investors – A large private investment house is seeking investors for its €500 mln nature-based solutions fund, which will finance carbon project development, and is on the cusp of finalising €50 mln from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The EIB is considering a potential investment of up to €50 mln into Ardian’s fund, though the final amount remains subject to internal reviews and the agreement on the legal documentation, both of which are expected to be finalised in the course of 2025, an EIB spokesperson told Carbon Pulse this week. (Carbon Pulse)

Energy transition – A group of Chinese energy companies has called for ramping up efforts in biodiversity conservation, according to the Belt and Road Portal. Some 80 corporate representatives gathered on Thursday to discuss the role of biodiversity conservation in the energy transition process, with many stressing the need for bolder actions. Liu Zehong, executive vice chairman of the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organisation (GEIDCO), acknowledged that the expansion of human activities is growingly leading to environmental pollution and habitat destruction. “It is crucial to accelerate the green and low-carbon transformation of energy to reduce the impact of large-scale fossil energy development and utilisation on natural ecosystems,” he said.

POLICY

German plan – Germany released on Wednesday its biodiversity plan, dubbed National Strategy on Biological Diversity. The document outlined a roadmap to meet national biodiversity targets by 2030, and includes a total of 21 fields of action and 64 goals. In addition to species protection and the restoration of ecosystems, the plan addresses topics such as urban nature, global warming, and the expansion of renewable energies.

Rubber stamp – The Council of the EU has formally signed off on delaying the application of the bloc’s anti-deforestation law by one year. This postponement will allow countries, operators, and traders to ensure that certain commodities and products sold in the EU or exported from it are deforestation-free, said the Council. Earlier this month, negotiators from the European Parliament and Council reached a political agreement to delay the start of the regulation, following a push from conservative parties to water down the requirements for countries. Large companies now have until Dec. 30, 2025, and micro and small enterprises until June 30, 2026, to comply with the bill.

Safe havens – The government of South Australia has partnered with the Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered Species (FAME) on 11 projects aimed at conserving and improving biodiversity across the state. Key objectives under the initiative, supported by A$3 mln ($1.9 mln) in funding, include recovering threatened and iconic species by enhancing native vegetation as well as reversing extinctions through fence-free reintroductions for species able to cope with low levels of predators. The partnership seeks to create safe havens for endangered species in the Flinders, Gawler, and Gammon ranges.

Update – Kazakhstan has taken steps to update the national list of rare and endangered species, which currently includes 131 vertebrates and 96 invertebrates, according to the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nysanbayev. Proposals have been made to exclude 21 species of invertebrate animals and to include six species of invertebrates and five vertebrates, he said. The minister added that to date, 30.9 mln ha of land across the country have been designed as protected areas.

Stone reefs – The Danish government has allocated DKK 11.3 mln ($1.6 mln) to improve biodiversity at the Lillebaelt and Oresund marine national nature parks. The initiative will involve the restoration of five stone reefs, an important habitat for fish species. Lillebaelt is home to the densest population of porpoises in Danish waters, while Oresund is characterised by a thriving cod population.

SCIENCE & TECH

Indigenous lab – The Wabumari community in Papua New Guinea has launched the world’s first Indigenous-led lab aimed at safeguarding local forests. Developed by the Indigenous community and NGO Cool Earth, the initiative seeks to enable locals to conserve 2,000 ha of forest through combining technology and traditional knowledge. The lab will provide real-time data for monitoring deforestation activities and other threats to biodiversity.

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