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).
TOP STORIES
Elephant rewilder plans biodiversity credits from 84,000 hectares
A Zimbabwean elephant rewilding company is planning to more than double the area from which it will generate biodiversity credits up to 84,000 hectares, Carbon Pulse has learned.
INTERVIEW: Biodiversity credit rebranding into ‘nature asset’ could unlock corporate demand
A Brazil-based biodiversity and carbon developer is considering transitioning from a ‘credit’ to a ‘nature asset’ approach in a bid to attract corporate funding, the company told Carbon Pulse.
MARKET
Regen Network reveals Registry 2.0 plan for ecological claims beyond credits
US-based environmental credit platform Regen Network Development aims to expand the scope of what can be listed on its registry beyond credits in its next version.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
SBTN corporate pilot paves the way for nature target adoption despite tough challenges
The Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) outlined the outcomes of its first corporate pilot for nature targets, with some companies gearing up for adopting their drafts, in a report published on Monday.
Annual nature-based solution investments in Brazil, Caribbean grow past $1.6 bln -report
At least $1.67 billion have been allocated to nature-based solutions in Brazil and the Caribbean over the past year, with agriculture-focused solutions seen as the top priority, according to a report released this week.
Volvo vows to take action on nature, biodiversity
Swedish carmaker Volvo has published a position paper on nature and biodiversity, pledging to take action to reduce its impacts and to invest in conservation and restoration to counterbalance residual negative effects of its activities.
Large sustainable aquaculture firm secures €2.5 mln from Dutch fund
An offshore aquaculture company based in the Faroe Islands has received €2.5 million from a fund managed by the investment arm of a Dutch bank.
TOOLS & GUIDANCE
Data platform releases nature footprint mapping tool
An open-access data platform has launched a tool aimed at enabling companies, financial institutions, and governments to better understand their impact on nature, it announced Tuesday during Climate Week NYC.
POLICY
Environmentally harmful subsidies grow to $2.6 trillion per year, study says
Environmentally harmful subsidies currently stand at no less than $2.6 trillion per year, $800 billion higher than 2022 estimates and equivalent to 2.5% of global gross domestic product (GDP), according to a report released this week.
UNDP urges South Africa to rethink biodiversity funding options
South Africa’s biodiversity stewardship model has been successful but relies heavily on public and NGO funding, creating a finance gap that must be closed through other sources, according to the UNDP’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN).
Denmark challenges EU Commission on export of banned pesticides
The Danish government has stepped forward to ask the European Commission to alter a law that allows EU companies to export pesticides banned in the bloc.
Nature SDGs urgently need addressing, report says
International efforts to meet the UN’s nature-focused Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on life below water and on land are falling far short of their 2030 targets, according to a report released on Monday.
Swiss voters reject plan to boost biodiversity conservation
Voters in Switzerland rejected on Sunday a proposal to enhance nature protection in the country, with opponents claiming the reform would be too costly and jeopardise business development.
Japanese govt, UN agency partner with private sector to scale sustainable coffee in Tanzania
A UN agency and the Japanese ministry of agriculture have teamed up with two major national companies to support small-scale coffee producers in Tanzania in implementing sustainable practices.
—————————————————
EVENTS
ecology calling returns to London in October. Bringing the city’s thriving nature and biodiversity business community together for series II, the intimate weekly evening events are held in the Linnean Society of London’s Meeting Room where Darwin presented ‘On the Origin of Species’. Panel discussions by leaders in the field provide plenty of room for audience Q&A with further networking opportunities at the nearby pub afterwards. This series topics include: navigating greenwashing, advances in MRV with eDNA, beaver reintroduction in Britain, and technical considerations for nature finance, with more TBA. Use the ‘pulse20’ code to secure your discount on tickets.
—————————————————
BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Lofty heights – Australian natural capital company RegenCo has registered its third account with Accounting for Nature in Flinders Lofty Block, South Australia. The 350-ha Ridgeview initiative has shifted from cropping to a rotational grazing system, with the aim of producing paddock-raised lambs that coexist with the natural landscape, while helping it regenerate. It is using a native woodland bird assessment methodology for diverse regenerating farmlands.
TOOLS & GUIDANCE
The doctor will see you now – A tool to assess humanity’s impact on planetary boundaries, and to navigate back to the “safe operating zone” for Earth, has been announced. The Planetary Health Check will be led by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, it said in a press release on Monday. Six of the nine boundaries have been breached, with the possibility of the imminent transgression of a seventh. “The only chance of staying within 1.5C on climate is if we take a whole Earth approach,” it said.
A hippo’s worth – Endangered Wildlife OU has highlighted the importance of valuing biodiversity, specifically focusing on the common river hippopotamus in South Africa. Their recent valuation assessed the hippo’s contribution to the ecosystem, local economies, and tourism, demonstrating its significant role in carbon cycling and river health. They have developed seven core metrics to measure the hippo’s value: aesthetic value, carbon value, economic value, hedge value, species existence value, impact value, and total conservation value. For a population of approximately 4,100 hippos in North Eastern South Africa, the total conservation value was estimated at €1.3 bln, with an average value of €325,113 per hippo.
POLICY
Bosnian biodiversity – The UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina has launched a three-year project, funded by the Global Environment Facility, to develop financial schemes to protect biodiversity in the country. The initiative will assist the country in identifying the current state, strengthening capacities, and financial plans for implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. “Biodiversity conservation in Bosnia and Herzegovina faces a significant gap between urgent and growing financial needs and the available financial resources,” UNDP said.
Getting on the bandwagon – The Thailand unit of global food producer Nestle has signed an MoU with the Southeast Asian country’s environmental office to work towards developing OECMs as part of efforts to meet Thai targets under the GBF, the Siamrath newspaper reports. That includes the Thai government recognising the biodiversity conservation and restoration value of the Nestle Water Conservation project in the country. The move comes just a week after Thailand signed a deal with Japanese carmaker Toyota to help develop a prototype for privately managed OECMs.
You’re on camera – In India, the Maharashtra government has announced a plan to install 669 CCTV cameras in 195 environmentally sensitive sites in the Mumbai area to prevent illegal activities leading to the destruction of mangrove ecosystems. The initiative will be funded by the Maharashtra Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, and covers a number of locations, including Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Mira-Bhayander, Bhiwandi, Panvel, and Uran. (News18)
Ghost gear – Indian Coast Guard has partnered with philanthropic organisation The Habitat Trust and non-profit HCL Foundation to advance efforts in marine conservation in India, The Economic Times reported. The initiative will involve identifying areas that are most affected by ghost gear, removing discarded fishing nets, and enhancing marine ecosystem monitoring and stewardship through engaging coastal communities.
Getting started – Denmark’s government plans to create the country’s first marine national nature parks in Lillebaelt and Oresund, which are currently designated as strictly protected areas. Environmental minister Magnus Heunicke began negotiations with political parties on Friday. Lillebaelt is home to the densest population of porpoises in Danish waters, while Oresund is characterised by a thriving cod population, he said.
Firefighting – Brazil’s federal and state governments have launched a joint strategy to prevent and tackle fires across the country. Under the initiative, the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) will allocate BRL400 mln ($73 mln) to support local authorities in the Legal Amazon states in purchasing equipment, materials, and vehicles.
SCIENCE & TECH
Blue carbon map – A series of reports published last week revealed that 244 mln tonnes of organic carbon are stored in the top 10 centimetres of UK seabed habitats. As much as 98% of that is in sediments such as mud and silt. The research, led by the Scottish Association for Marine Science on behalf of WWF, The Wildlife Trusts, and RSPB, provides the first estimate of carbon stored in UK seabed habitats, including within marine protected areas. “This research gives the UK an opportunity to lead the world in protecting blue carbon and marine biodiversity,” said Joan Edwards, director of marine policy for The Wildlife Trusts.
Bleak – The number of bony marine fish species at risk of extinction could be five times higher than previously estimated by conservation scientists, a recent study suggested, according to Mongabay. The study results indicated the need for more complete IUCN Red List assessments of data-deficient and unevaluated species, which can highlight what species and areas need focused conservation and research efforts.
Got a tip? How about some feedback? Email us at news@carbon-pulse.com
