**NOTICE: To mark Carbon Pulse’s 10-year anniversary and to better serve our subscribers with more targeted content, we are expanding and segmenting our news and intelligence into three specialised products. Read our FAQs to help you understand and prepare for our new offering.**
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
TOP STORY
Proposed UK biodiversity net gain reductions risk ‘wiping out sales’
The UK government has announced a consultation on reducing its biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements for smaller sites, in changes that market stakeholders have said could eliminate demand for off-site units.
MARKET
IDB-backed initiative gears up for biodiversity market pilot in Dominican Republic
A four-year initiative funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is gearing up to set up pilot projects aimed at laying the groundwork for establishing a voluntary market for biodiversity credits in the Dominican Republic.
Incubator seeks to unlock $200 mln for nature markets
A UN-backed incubator of nature market models on Thursday announced support for seven initiatives around the world with the aim of unlocking up to $200 million in restoration investment.
Wildlife-based land use is a biodiversity market opportunity, expert says
Wildlife-based conservation is a viable opportunity for nature markets that is more lucrative than livestock farming, an expert said this week.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
UK asset manager raises £375 mln for forestry fund
London-based asset manager Gresham House has secured £375 million at the final close of its latest forestry fund, marking its largest fundraise to date for a single vehicle.
TOOLS & GUIDANCE
Sovereign credit rating agencies urged to better integrate biodiversity metrics
Sovereign credit rating agencies should better integrate environmental indicators, as existing methodologies largely fail to value improvements in biodiversity, according to a paper released this week.
UN, Oxford University release first guide for assessing sports’ impacts on nature
A paper released on Tuesday called on sports organisations to assess their direct and indirect impacts on nature to mitigate biodiversity-related risk and align with global regulations and targets.
—————————————————
**NOTICE: To mark Carbon Pulse’s 10-year anniversary and to better serve our subscribers with more targeted content, we are expanding and segmenting our news and intelligence into three specialised products. Read our FAQs to help you understand and prepare for our new offering.**
—————————————————
EVENTS
Ecology Calling events are returning with a morning of soil health and an afternoon of soil carbon on June 13. Join them at the Royal Linnean Society, central London to explore how to measure, conserve, and restore the subterranean realm. Register now, using the promotional code ‘pulse20’.
—————————————————
BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
MARKET
Reforestation – The Brazilian state of Sao Paulo is in the final stages of allowing the private sector to access 38,000 ha of public lands for restoration and the development of carbon and biodiversity credits in the Atlantic Forest, an official told Carbon Pulse. A public call is expected to be launched in the third quarter of this year, according to Natalia Resende, secretary of environment, infrastructure, and logistics for Sao Paulo. The programme was launched by the state government at COP29 in Baku last November. (Carbon Pulse)
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Learning modules – The Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) has launched five learning modules to help companies set science-based targets for nature. They cover the topics of mastering the basics, nature impact assessments, target priorities, freshwater, and land. The resources can be used to understand what is required before starting, aligning colleagues around key concepts, and making a business case with peer examples.
POLICY
Growing crew – The EU announced on Wednesday the ratification of the UN High Seas Treaty. Six EU member states – Cyprus, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Portugal, and Slovenia – also ratified the treaty, joining Spain and France, which did so in February. This brings the total number of ratifications to 28, with 32 more needed for the agreement to enter into force. “This bold move sends a clear message that ocean protection is not optional; it’s a global priority,” said Nathalie Rey, European regional coordinator for the High Seas Alliance, urging the remaining EU countries to follow suit.
Low risk – Malaysia’s commodities minister expressed concerns on Wednesday about the EU’s designation of the country as “standard risk” under the new anti-deforestation law, Reuters has reported. According to the minister, the classification was based on outdated data from 2020, as the country has since implemented sufficient measures to deserve a “low-risk” classification. Countries classified as “standard risk” will undergo less stringent compliance checks for goods exported to the EU than those classified as “high risk.” In contrast, “low-risk” countries will face even easier due diligence requirements. Indonesia and Brazil have also been designated as “standard risk”.
Laws of nature – The Scottish government has proposed criminalising widespread, long-term, or irreversible environmental damage, reported Edinburgh Live. If the bill passes, with a vote on it due later this year, then individuals could face up to 20 years in prison while companies could receive unlimited fines. Senior executives at companies could be liable when offences involve their consent, connivance, or neglect. The bill would be the first of its kind in the UK, joining other nations with legislation on the topic such as France, Vietnam, and Russia.
Pacific plastics – The Pacific’s tourism sector is trying to cut single-use plastics, the Australian government announced. A group of partner organisations, including the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme and the Pacific Ocean Litter Project, published a plastic certification framework and an implementation toolkit for governments and businesses in the region. The toolkit builds on a 2023 standard for phasing out single-use plastics, sharing practical advice to help the tourism industry use fewer plastic bottles, straws, and takeaway food boxes.
Canadian filibuster – Opposition parties have successfully stalled Ontario’s impending Bill 5, at least until next week, according to a report by the CBC. Ontario NDP and Liberal MPPs reportedly filibustered from mid-afternoon Wednesday until midnight Thursday to block the bill from going for its third and final reading. The Ontario Conservatives hold a majority under Premier Doug Ford. The bill waters down the province’s endangered species and environmental protections with the goal of expediting development.
Sea protection – A bill aimed at safeguarding the Brazilian coastline has been approved by the country’s lower house. Originally proposed in 2013, the legislation establishes the National Policy for the Integrated Management, Conservation, and Sustainable Use of the Coastal Marine System (PNGCMar). The bill now awaits approval by the Senate. Its objective is to set guidelines and directives for the marine area, including the creation and monitoring of quality indicators within the coastal marine ecosystems.
SCIENCE & TECH
Hidden biodiversity – Australian researchers have used environmental DNA (eDNA) technology to map biodiversity in estuaries across New South Wales (NSW), Xinhua news agency reported. The project, funded by the NSW and Australian governments and led by Southern Cross University, focused on over 1,000 km of coastline and 33 estuaries. The eDNA metabarcoding technique identifies genetic material from various species, including invasive pests. The study revealed the presence of 68 invasive species and provided essential data for ecosystem management, especially following natural disasters, according to the researchers.
Chemical river – A study of Yorkshire’s rivers has shown the scale of their chemical pollution, reported The Guardian. Forty four out of 52 chemicals known for their toxicity, and potential harm to aquatic organisms, were discovered in three sampling sites on the River Foss. Among the thousands of chemicals detected was 6PPD-quinone, a tyre additive, which has been linked with the mass deaths of salmon in the US. The most common chemicals included fungicides and herbicides.
—————————————————
**NOTICE: To mark Carbon Pulse’s 10-year anniversary and to better serve our subscribers with more targeted content, we are expanding and segmenting our news and intelligence into three specialised products. Read our FAQs to help you understand and prepare for our new offering.**
—————————————————
Got a tip? How about some feedback? Email us at news@carbon-pulse.com
