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TOP STORY
FEATURE: The critical changes happening for nature-based solutions in the UK water sector
The UK water industry has reached a turning point after years of excessive pollution, with new regulatory requirements triggering a fundamental shift towards nature-based solutions (NBS) – with global implications.
MARKET
Italian non-profit seeks feedback on biodiversity credit framework
An Italian non-profit is seeking feedback on a framework for voluntary biodiversity credits, aiming to establish criteria for companies implementing nature restoration projects.
Indian regulator allows embattled green credits for ESG
India’s securities regulator will allow listed companies to utilise green credits as part of its sustainability reporting requirements, even as the green crediting scheme has been taken to the Supreme Court over claims of harm to natural ecosystems.
BioCarbon opens consultation on water credit standard
BioCarbon has launched a public consultation on a new water credit standard, setting out criteria for projects seeking to advance sustainable management and conservation of water resources.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Tokyo sets up fund to support nature, climate startups
The Tokyo metropolitan government and two major financial companies have announced the first contributions to a fund targeting a total of 10 billion yen ($66.6 million) that seeks to support startups contributing to nature positivity, climate tech, or the circular economy.
Triodos announces UK natural capital partnership
The UK branch of Dutch-headquartered bank Triodos has provided a loan to restoration company Restore to expand its natural capital services in areas including voluntary biodiversity credits.
TOOLS & GUIDANCE
Canadian non-profits call for cancellation of common forest management pesticide
A collection of Canadian non-profits dedicated to safe food and forest management are calling on the federal government to cancel the use of a common forest pesticide.
Nature tech sector map reveals gaps in data management, access to monitoring tools
A newly released map of the nature tech sector has flagged gaps in biodiversity data management as well as unresolved challenges in making advanced technologies accessible to local communities and land stewards.
POLICY
Deep sea mining talks threatened by industry giant move to bypass UN body
Country delegates have come under pressure to defend their regulatory mandate at the 30th Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for deep sea mining, as a move from a large Canadian metals company threatens to hamper multilateral efforts.
PROJECTS
French company accused of dumping toxins into Colombian wetlands
NGO Global Witness has accused a France-headquartered waste management company of dumping pollutants into protected wetlands in Colombia, potentially harming wildlife and local communities.
SCIENCE & TECH
Major consumer brands are driving fracking and fuelling the plastic crisis -study
More than 25 major consumer brands, including Coca-Cola and Nestle, are driving fracking demand in Texas, fuelling the plastic crisis and the environmental degradation that comes with it, according to an investigation by two non-profits.
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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
MARKET
Amazon restoration – Brazil’s national development bank and a state-owned oil giant launched an initiative on Monday to support forest restoration in the Amazon via carbon credits, aiming to capture approximately 15 mln tonnes of CO2. Brazil’s National Bank for Social and Economic Development (BNDES) and Petrobras signed a letter of intent on Monday for the ProFloresta+ programme, which looks to achieve the restoration of up to 50,000 ha of degraded land in the Amazon. In its initial phase, ProFloresta+ will issue a call for proposals to support the reforestation of around 15,000 ha and the purchase of up to 5 mln carbon credits, which is expected to generate more than R$450 mln ($78.6 mln) in investment. (Carbon Pulse)
POLICY
Money boost – The Welsh government announced on Friday that it has allocated £10 mln to 13 projects through the Nature Networks Funding, established in partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Natural Resources Wales. Projects will include initiatives such as curlew protection, the restoration of woodland habitats, and the conservation of fish species across the country.
Biosphere reserve – UNESCO launched on Friday the Mount Elgon Transboundary Biosphere Reserve to advance biodiversity protection along the Kenya-Uganda border, the Xinhua news agency reported. Spanning some 165,000 ha, the area is a key biodiversity hotspot in East Africa. “The designation of the reserve strengthens conservation efforts by promoting coordinated policies, shared research, and sustainable management practices between the two countries,” said Louise Haxthausen, UNESCO regional director for Eastern Africa.
CSRD – The EU-commissioned expert advisory group on sustainability regulation has published a response to the proposals to simplify the CSRD, which includes requirements for disclosures on biodiversity. The Platform on Sustainable Finance said the original scope of the CSRD should be preserved. For larger companies that have fewer than 1,000 employees, the focus should be on reporting the most important information, it said.
In too deep peat – The UK government has proposed protecting an extra area of peatland approximately the size of London by banning its burning over 146,000 ha. The proposed action seeks to improve air quality, help reach net zero by 2050, and expand wildlife-rich habitat. If implemented, the changes will increase the area currently protected from 222,000 ha of deep peat to more than 368,000 ha in England.
Watchdogs welcome – Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, has confirmed the ‘nature watchdog’ he has promised to establish if elected would not be the same as the one he promised but failed to deliver previously, reported The Guardian. The Labor party would pursue a different model following consultation, he said. “That is what we will legislate – something that provides certainty for industry and the way that the processes occur, but also provides for sustainability.” (Carbon Pulse)
SCIENCE & TECH
Fungi – The number of fungi species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has exceeded 1,000, according to the latest update released on Thursday. This update includes the assessment of 482 newly added fungi species, bringing the total to 1,300. Of these, at least 411 species are considered at risk of extinction. “As we lose fungi, we impoverish the ecosystem services and resilience they provide, from drought and pathogen resistance in crops and trees to storing carbon in the soil,” said IUCN.
Seabird colonies – A team of researchers at the University of Glasgow has developed a modelling tool aimed at protecting seabirds from the impacts of offshore wind farms. The tool predicts space use of seabird colonies without requiring extensive satellite tracking data, according to the researchers. “Many seabird colonies are located at remote islands or cliffs that make GPS tracking studies extremely challenging. Our method can predict biologically realistic home ranges and exposure for such inaccessible colonies and it can also forecast future home ranges given the size of a colony,” said Jana Jeglinski, co-supervisor of the study.
Ewe-turn – A scheme has been launched to restore a 4-ha meadow in Kent, UK by replacing cattle with sheep. The site’s biodiversity would benefit from a new grazing programme, according to Kent Wildlife Trust. The cows may return in the future, if the conditions of the land allow. The site holds “immense potential to be an oasis for wildlife”, the trust said. (BBC)
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