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TOP STORY

FEATURE: Horse, cart need to advance together as large investors seek opportunities in Canadian biodiversity

Organisations looking to spur rapid investment in biodiversity and nature finance in Canada say it is time for large capital investors to put their money on the table.

MARKET

INTERVIEW: Brazilian Indigenous group says its data should underpin biodiversity markets

A major Indigenous group in the Brazilian Amazon has advanced the collection of critical data within their territories, which “as a first step” must be integrated into the nascent biodiversity credit markets, its monitoring manager told Carbon Pulse.

EU Commission explores how nature credits can mobilise investment

The European Commission this week convened agricultural groups and banks in an effort to explore how nature credits can encourage private investment in conservation.

Groups launch biodiversity pilot market in Cote d’Ivoire

A trio of groups on Wednesday launched a pilot biodiversity credit framework in Cote d’Ivoire with a second scheme to be announced in France later in the week, in a push to drive the development of nature markets.

BUSINESS & FINANCE

INTERVIEW: Nature-based solutions can undermine biodiversity

Nature-based solutions (NbS), often aimed at tackling the climate crisis, are damaging biodiversity through greenwashing actions that require a radical rethink, Friends of the Earth International said Tuesday.

Major meat producer set to miss deforestation pledge, report finds

An investigation has found that meat producer JBS is likely to miss its goal to eliminate deforestation in its Amazonian supply chain.

Under half of Norwegian sovereign fund investees view nature as financially significant, report says

Less than half of the companies invested in by the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund manager view nature as financially significant, according to a survey released this week.

Innovative ocean finance focus to increase, expert says

The focus on some marine financing mechanisms is set to ramp up in the next few months with pressure from key upcoming events, a blue finance expert has said.

TOOLS & GUIDANCE

WEF develops indicators for finance to assess corporates on nature

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has developed 11 indicators that financial institutions can use to assess the nature progress of their portfolio companies.

POLICY

INTERVIEW: NGOs formally challenge EU omnibus proposal

Seven NGOs have lodged a formal complaint with the European watchdog for the so-called ‘omnibus’ proposal for changing sustainability disclosures in areas including biodiversity.

EU Commission proposes integrating High Seas Treaty into law

The European Commission proposed on Thursday to integrate the so-called High Seas Treaty, which seeks to curb biodiversity loss in international waters, into EU law.

SCIENCE & TECH

Financial risk analysis should include ecosystem services, paper says

Connecting ecosystem services with financial risks is the first step towards creating a system that better integrates nature into sustainable finance, according to a recent paper.

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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

MARKET

Nature integrity – The UK government has launched a consultation on raising the integrity of voluntary carbon and nature markets. The document aims to aims to clarify standards for guiding supplier and buyer engagement in the markets. It seeks responses on guidance, policy, and regulation. The government defined voluntary nature markets as payments for activities that deliver environmental outcomes through nature-based activities, including biodiversity, and ecosystem services, such as nutrient mitigation, and nature-based carbon sequestration.

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Biodiversity bonding – Financiers Banco Davivienda and BBVA Colombia are planning to raise a combined $94 mln equivalent through sales of ‘biodiversity bonds’, arranged by International Finance Corporation, in a second round of placements, Latin Finance has reported. Davivienda plans to raise up to COP211 billion ($49 million), following the bank selling biodiversity bonds in Oct. 2024. BBVA Colombia is looking to raise $45 mln in biodiversity bonds, following it selling some of the instruments last year. (Carbon Pulse)

POLICY

Peace out – The governments of Liberia and Sierra Leone, in partnership with the UN, have launched a project aimed at protecting the Gola Rainforest while fostering peace. The Resilience, Empowerment, Access and Peacebuilding (GOLA-REAP) project is financed by the UN Peacebuilding Fund. The Gola Rainforest, spanning about 700 sq. km and stretching across both countries, is home to endangered species such as pygmy hippos, chimpanzees, and forest elephants.

Five mln trees – The state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has committed to reforesting 7,500 hectares of land. The initiative will contribute to government programme Five Million Trees by 2028. “DBP shares the vision of restoring biodiversity in the country, mitigating the effects of climate change, and ensuring a more resilient and sustainable future through the cultivation of 5 mln trees,” said the bank. (Tribune)

PROJECTS

Alien species – A partnership in managing invasive alien species in Eastern and Southern Africa has been announced by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI). The partnership will focus on the joint development of projects, mobilising resources to secure funding, and sharing knowledge. The collaboration will create long-term solutions that advance resilience in ecosystems, economies, and communities.

Pilots flying – Three biodiversity credit pilots have been added to the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits (IAPB) community. They include: an Italian initiative to counteract the negative effects of intensive agriculture, an English project to “triple biodiversity” in hills over 30 years, and a Brazilian pilot that seeks to reconnect forest restoration areas. The IAPB Community of Practice convenes supply-side stakeholders and project developers to share learnings on project implementation.

Birds of a feather – BirdLife International has opened applications for grants for projects that aims to strengthen biodiversity in Guinea and Sierra Leone. This programme aims to support projects that will reduce threats to globally threatened species, enhance protection of key biodiversity area, and reduce habitat loss. Projects can receive a maximum of $50,000 per grant, lasting between July 2025 and end of 2026. The region is under pressure from agriculture, mining, and climate change.

SCIENCE & TECH

Uncharted reefs – The world’s coral reefs have been pushed into “uncharted territory” by the worst global bleaching event on record, scientists have warned. Some 80% of the planet’s reefs have been affected, reported The Guardian. Since the global event began in 2023, reefs in at least 82 countries and territories have experienced heat levels high enough to cause coral bleaching, according to the latest data from the US government’s Coral Reef Watch.

Plastic falls – Plastic pollution along Australia’s coastline has fallen by more than a third over the last decade, according to research from national science agency CSIRO. Coastal debris density dropped by 39% compared to 10 years ago, said the agency in findings published in Marine Pollution Bulletin. The researchers surveyed inland, riverside, and coastal habitats around six regions across Australia. Although less pollution was seen in most areas, increases were seen in Hobart and Port Augusta. (SBS News)

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