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TOP STORY
Finnish govt aims to accelerate nature market with proposed changes to conservation law
The Ministry of Environment on Wednesday passed its suggested amendments to Finland’s conservation act to Parliament, stating its changes might speed up the development of a voluntary nature market in the country.
NATURE & BIODIVERSITY MARKET
Ruling out biodiversity offsetting could create hole in nature finance -paper
Offsetting needs to form part of the measures deployed to achieve global biodiversity targets, as ruling it out entirely risks creating a hole in nature finance, according to a pre-print paper.
Australia’s Nature Repair Market faces calls for stronger offsetting safeguards
Two environmental non-profits have urged Australia’s government to ensure strong safeguards are in place before the country’s voluntary Nature Repair Market (NRM) opens up to offsetting.
POLICY
BRIEFING: 30×30 biodiversity target has far-reaching social implications, research says
Nearly half of the world’s population could be directly affected by international efforts to protect the planet, a report has said, spurring calls for more human-centric implementation plans.
Natural capital linked to higher economic output across EU regions, paper finds
Ecosystem services such as pollination, flood control, and carbon sequestration are linked to stronger economic performance across EU regions, according to a study led by an academic from the EU Commission’s Joint Research Centre.
SBTN launches guidance for cities on setting nature targets
The Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) has launched the first version of its guidance for cities on setting time-bound targets for urban nature.
Mexican state secures over $12 mln to protect biodiversity, freshwater
The government of Yucatan has bagged $12.6 million of upfront funding for a conservation initiative seeking to protect its biodiversity and freshwater sources, it announced this week.
DRC transfers large rainforest to communities
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is about to transfer 847,818 hectares of rainforest to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs).
NATURE-BASED CARBON
BRIEFING: Reforestation projects need capital, ratings clarity to unlock buyer demand, panellists say
Reforestation projects need earlier capital and clearer ratings signals to unlock buyer demand, panellists said on Wednesday, as companies weigh project quality, risk mitigation, and community benefits following Microsoft’s pause in carbon removal (CDR) purchases.
BRIEFING: Scaling carbon markets calls for blockchain-based banking to crowd in large investors -US bank
Clients of a large US bank are keen but struggling to enter the carbon market because they find it too “mystifying” and in need of standardisation through blockchain-based banking, a finance expert said at a conference, adding that this would finally attract the necessary large-scale capital.
Zimbabwe blasts CORSIA decision as “direct attack” on African climate ambitions
Zimbabwe is pushing back on a UN decision and subsequent move by Gold Standard to stop marking certain credits from the country as eligible for the aviation scheme CORSIA, calling it a “direct attack” on African development and climate goals.
Latin American province, airline negotiate sale of CORSIA-eligible units at $23/t -media
A province in South America expects it will soon be issued millions of CORSIA Eligible Emissions Units (EEUs) and is arranging to sell most or all of these to a regional airline at just over $23 per unit, local media has reported.
Carbon standard expands REDD+ risk mapping coverage to 16 jurisdictions
A voluntary carbon standards body has expanded its jurisdictional REDD+ risk mapping framework to Bolivia, Nigeria, Peru, and Tanzania, bringing coverage under a forest conservation methodology to 16 jurisdictions globally.
Two to tango: Pairing commodity and carbon revenues helps mitigate investor risk, experts say
Combining revenues from carbon credits with the underlying commodity such as timber or crops is necessary to deliver a workable business case for many forestry and soil carbon projects, experts said at a conference in London.
Environmental planting project to generate 3.2 mln ACCUs amid supply concerns
An Australian carbon services firm has launched the nation’s largest environmental carbon planting project, expected to generate about 3.2 million Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) over its lifetime, as demand for high‑integrity credits increases.
Isometric issues spring update covering 17 protocols, 10 modules
Isometric on Wednesday released its Spring 2026 update addressing 17 carbon crediting protocols and 10 accounting modules, including changes to align protocols with existing buffer pool rules and broaden the application of its GHG Accounting Module.
Verra proposes expanding IFM methodology beyond US with new inventory rules
Voluntary standard body Verra launched a public consultation on Tuesday on a draft revision to its improved forest management (IFM) methodology that would expand its use beyond the US by allowing projects to use qualifying national forest inventory datasets.
Spanish bank launches carbon credit trading platform
A Spanish lender has launched a carbon credit trading platform aimed at helping corporate clients and small businesses offset their CO2 emissions, expanding the bank’s push into sustainable finance and voluntary carbon markets.
US non-profit taps startup to grow rice methane credit supply from India
A US-based climate non-profit on Wednesday said it has partnered with a South Asia-focused startup to scale carbon credits from rice methane abatement, as demand rises for projects targeting the potent greenhouse gas.
US CDR portfolio developer issues call for proposals targeting NbS, policy, and methane projects
A US carbon removal portfolio developer has issued a call for nature-based solutions (NbS), carbon removal (CDR) policy initiatives, and methane mitigation projects seeking funding through the next year.
CDR financing model needs “fundamental revamping” to scale -paper
Carbon credit markets will not scale permanent carbon removals (CDR) without a new financing model that raises prices, reduces volatility, and creates long-term demand, according to a paper published Tuesday.
CORPORATE
ECB-backed paper finds biodiversity risk priced into bank lending
Biodiversity risk is increasingly reflected in the credit market, with firms with bigger exposure facing significantly higher borrowing costs, according to a study backed by the European Central Bank (ECB).
Electronics firm commits $1.5 mln to WWF-led forest conservation
Japan-headquartered electronics firm Seiko Epson has pledged JPY 240 million ($1.5 mln) to WWF to support forest protection efforts in Asia and Latin America.
Launch of carbon removal catalyst, unlocking £1 mln in finance for UK biochar
An independent advisory has launched a carbon removal catalyst that has already helped to secure a £1 million financing deal to support a biochar developer in southwest England.
PepsiCo, LDC launch regenerative ag programme in Canada canola region
PepsiCo and Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) have launched a regenerative agriculture programme in Saskatchewan aimed at expanding lower-emissions canola production and supporting soil health improvements across western Canada, the companies announced Wednesday.
SCIENCE & TECH
Carbon payments create small to moderate benefits for boreal biodiversity, report claims
Forest carbon payments appear to bring nature-related co-benefits to boreal ecosystems, although they are not enough, on their own, to stop biodiversity loss, two Finnish research institutions said on Wednesday.
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EVENTS
Ecology Calling returns on May 20 with a 1-day event titled ‘Investing in Nature’ at venue Firesyde, near the border of Surrey and Sussex, about an hour’s transport from London Waterloo. Speakers include representatives from HSBC, Rebalance Earth, RePlanet, Environment Bank, Pensions for Purpose, Crowther Lab, Gresham House, and the University of Oxford. Use the code ‘Pulse15’ to get 15% off tickets.
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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
CORPORATE
Sky garden – Hong Kong’s first biodiversity-linked loan has been announced by HSBC and Hang Seng Bank, according to a press release. The money will support development Central Yards, which has 27,000 sq. metres of green spaces including a ‘sky garden’. Proceeds will be used to plant 400 trees, as well as to facilitate urban forest management and biodiversity monitoring. It also aims to build a wildlife habitat bridge that would connect habitat zones across the district in a bid to strengthen ecological networks while supporting community wellbeing.
New blueprint for blue carbon deals – Blue Carbon Action Partnership, CrossBoundary Group, and Conservation International, endorsed by the Global Mangrove Alliance, have published a new guide for project proponents and financiers, Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance said in a post on LinkedIn. Titled ‘High‑Quality Blue Carbon: Guidance for Benefit‑Sharing Agreements’, the resource draws on three case studies, showing how well‑designed agreements can help communities move from beneficiaries to partners, strengthening resilience and long‑term financial sustainability in blue carbon projects.
POLICY
Indonesia reaffirms forest pledge – Indonesia’s forestry minister Raja Juli Antoni reiterated at the UN Forum on Forests in New York that the country will rehabilitate 12 mln ha of degraded land, linking tree-planting with carbon offset projects, Reuters reported. Indonesia had restated the pledge at COP30 in Belem last year, expanding it to 12.7 mln ha under a regenerative forestry plan to restore ecosystems and support livelihoods with timber and crops such as coffee, cocoa, and nutmeg.
National park management – The Indonesian government this week signed an agreement with the non-profit Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to boost collaboration on biodiversity conservation and national park management across the country. The initiative will focus on the Way Kambas, Wakatobi, Manusela, and Gunung Leuser national parks, WCS said in a press release.
Under the microscope – Private sector developers must complete environmental assessments before kickstarting ecotourism ventures in Egypt’s nature reserves, the country’s development and environment minister has decreed. Manal Awad Mikhail said this week that ecotourism developers will need to submit technical and environment documentation for ministerial review before building in Sharm El-Sheikh’s Peace Park and the Ras Mohammed and Nabq nature reserves, Daily News Egypt reported. She emphasised that environmental investment is currently a development priority for the northeast African country, adding that the ministry welcomes proposals from ecotourism developers.
Transboundary project – Conservation organisation African Parks announced the launch of a 30-month project seeking to enhance biodiversity conservation and protected area management across one of southern Africa’s most important transboundary landscapes. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park project received funding from the EU and the Dezzy Foundation through the Global Wildlife Fund. It will be implemented by African Parks and IUCN, with the support of the governments of Botswana and South Africa.
Tropical triumph – The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) have signed an MoU renewing their commitment to address complex tropical landscape policy challenges. The pair said the collaboration would help ensure biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement in sustainably managed tropical forests, including through landscape restoration and expansion of protected areas. The MoU would last four years.
Work in progress – Turkmenistan progressed its national biodiversity strategy this week, according to a statement from the UN Development Programme, which is supporting the central Asian country with this work. The workshops, run by Turkmenistan’s environmental protection ministry, focused on preparing the country’s 7th National Report for submission to the CBD. The meetings were funded by the Global Environment Facility.
Biovouchers – A Swiss town has launched a blockchain-based system that rewards residents for conservation work with vouchers they can redeem at local businesses, according to Crypto.news. The Canton of Bern municipality partnered with several digital companies to roll out the BIDI scheme. It issues vouchers equivalent to Swiss francs for activities such as meadow restoration, hedge maintenance, invasive plant removal, riverside repair work, and wetland conservation.
MARKETS
Terra tech – Terra Global said it’s working with carbon tech firm BlueLayer to scale its portfolio of nature-based projects. Terra Global said the BlueLayer platform would strengthen its ability to streamline credits issuance amid its expanding pipeline of afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation (ARR) and jurisdictional REDD+ programmes, with multiple projects targeted to issue credits this year.
Spa day – A spa development at a hotel in England has been approved following confirmation that it will purchase habitat and watercourse biodiversity net gain (BNG) units. The Wild Boar Hotel in Windermere, Cumbria, will meet the 10% nature uplift requirement by buying 0.602 habitat units and 0.075 watercourse units from Environment Bank, as they could not deliver the gains on-site, reported The Mail. The spa will replace a garage block, some sheds, and existing cabins.
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