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
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TOP STORIES
Swedish platform sees first commercial biodiversity credit transaction
A Swedish exchange offering trade in biodiversity credits on Tuesday announced its first transaction, with a sales and marketing firm picking up units from the protection of an 11-hectare forest area for five years.
German non-profit, Swiss foundation buy first nature units from project in Malawi
A German non-profit and a Swiss foundation have purchased the first batch of nature units generated from a conservation project in Malawi.
MARKET
Voluntary biodiversity market nascent, uncertain, but growing report finds
A report surveying global biodiversity credit suppliers has found the market is still very much in the embryonic stage, with the demand question yet to be full answered, however there are signs of growing interest.
ICR reveals details on biodiversity credit programme ahead of consultation launch
Iceland-based International Carbon Registry (ICR) is about to launch consultations for its biodiversity credit framework, planning to onboard 10 pilot projects within a couple of months, the initiative’s chief scientist told Carbon Pulse.
Dutch company plans to develop first nature credits in mid-2025 under Verra’s framework
A Netherlands-headquartered environmental company plans to develop its first nature credits under Verra’s Nature Framework in mid-2025 as part of a restoration project in Portugal, Carbon Pulse has learned.
Australian Cassowary Credit methodology, standard put out for consultation
The market regulator overseeing Australia’s reef credit scheme has published a draft Cassowary Credit standard and Rainforest Replanting methodology for a 30-day consultation, it announced Tuesday.
No such thing as international offset in biodiversity credit space, IAPB’s co-chair says
A co-chair of the influential International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits (IAPB) has ruled out the possibility of using biodiversity credits as an international offsetting mechanism during an event at the Climate Week NYC, in a bid to quell persistent concerns.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Agricultural companies short on board-level biodiversity expertise, expert says
Not enough companies linked to the agricultural supply chain have board-level expertise in biodiversity, despite the surge in nature commitments, according to an executive at Morningstar Sustainalytics.
TOOLS & GUIDANCE
CDC Biodiversite flags biodiversity metric “misconceptions”
Aggregated ecosystem condition metrics remain relevant for measuring the impacts of nature funds despite misunderstandings about their application, French data provider CDC Biodiversite said in a paper on Monday.
POLICY
Australia picks first methodology under Nature Repair Market scheme, opens consultations
The Australian government on Tuesday launched two one-month consultations on the biodiversity assessment instruments and methodology determinations of its Nature Repair Market (NRM) scheme, including eligible lands, activities, and monitoring guidelines.
Azerbaijan applies to host 2026 biodiversity COP
Azerbaijan has officially submitted a bid to host the COP17 UN biodiversity summit, as the country prepares for the COP29 climate conference in Baku later this year, the government announced on Monday.
National biodiversity plans do not go far enough, WWF tracker finds
Many of the national biodiversity plans that have been submitted in time for COP16 do not go far enough, WWF said on Monday following the launch of a tracker tool.
Norway releases nature action plan, sets targets far short of GBF
Norway on Friday released its nature action plan ahead of next month’s COP16, but drew ire from environmentalists as it stopped far short of making national commitments aligned with the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
PROJECTS
EU-backed hydropower project threatens Danube’s biodiversity, watchdogs say
The European Parliament has decided not to oppose a hydropower project on the Danube that could threaten protected areas (PAs) and the survival of critically endangered species, according to a group of environmental organisations.
SCIENCE & TECH
INTERVIEW: Making fuels from plastics using hydrogenolysis moves one step closer
Researchers at a Swiss university have made an important advance in the use of a hydrogen-based process for the chemical recycling of plastics, which could ultimately enable the conversion of plastic waste into fuels.
Microbes bliss out on white noise, scientists find sound sweet spot that could reverse landscape damage
‘Sound bathing’ can benefit more than just humans, with a study from an Australian university finding even microorganisms enjoy white noise that can help restore degraded landscapes.
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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.
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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
MARKET
That’s a date – The International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits (IAPB) will launch its framework for biodiversity credits on Oct. 28, during the COP16 summit in Cali, Colombia. The framework will set out principles and guidance to help shape and scale the market, IAPB said on LinkedIn. In the last few months, the panel has published reports on several topics, including challenges to scaling the market, market models, and supply.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Seaweeds – A Tokyo-based microalgae solution provider has teamed up with an Australian company to promote seaweed-added feed additives, in the hope of decarbonising Japan’s livestock sector. Alnur and Brisbane-based FutureFeed have agreed to cooperate in commercialising a solution using seaweeds to slash emissions from livestock production, they said in a statement released Monday. (Carbon Pulse)
Tool – The Sustainable Markets Initiative and US-based consultancy firm AECOM have launched an AI-powered tool aimed at ensuring that infrastructure development does not harm nature. Aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), the Nature Risk Tool provides detailed insights into habitats and biomes, assesses a project’s environmental impacts, and suggests mitigation strategies.
POLICY
New law needed – A group of conservationists has urged the Australian government to reform the Environmental law to manage trade of Australia’s threatened marine species. Six researchers from the Australian Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science published a study on Nature this week proposing three recommendations for the new legislation: apply the same precautions to commercially harvested species as other threatened species; mandate annual reviews of threatened species status; and assess species listed on global conservation conventions.
Sustainable forestry – The Canadian government has awarded C$20.6 mln ($15.4 mln) to 31 projects across the globe aimed at promoting sustainable forestry, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resource announced Friday. The funds will support forest-related actions that contribute to global climate and biodiversity goals, including as they relate to sustainable forest management, the bioeconomy, wildland fire management, and decreasing market barriers for sustainable forest products. (Carbon Pulse)
Saving capercaillies – The Cairngorms National Park Authority and NatureScot have launched a five-year plan to protect capercaillies in Scotland. Initiated by the Scottish government, the plan sets out a roadmap of actions, including reducing the impact of predators as well as human disturbance. Currently, only 532 capercaillies remain in the UK, with the species predicted to become extinct in the next 20-30 years.
Wildlife economy – The Kenyan government wildlife agency has launched its 2024-2028 strategic plan focused on expanding Kenya’s wildlife economy and boosting biodiversity. The plan addresses human-wildlife conflict, habitat degradation, and food security. It aims to promote sustainable tourism and create jobs via 24 strategic objectives and 89 strategies, all of which aim to further wildlife conservation.
Nutrient mitigation – In the UK, several elements of local authority-led nutrient mitigation for the Solent region have been agreed with the publication of a report on Monday. Key updates include the purchase of land for mitigation in East Hampshire, the set prices for mitigation with a £750 administration fee, and a legal agreement between authorities, an executive at the Partnership for South Hampshire said on LinkedIn. Additionally, a credit sales website will launch in October.
Resilient Ghana – The UAE government is granting $30 mln to Ghana for nature-based community development and climate solutions. The “Resilient Ghana” strategy highlighted six key investment areas including biodiversity corridors, reforestation, and agroecology, aimed at achieving climate, biodiversity, and community development goals. The plan emphasised gender equality and youth involvement. It integrated metrics for measurement, reporting, and verification using Ghana’s REDD+ process.
SCIENCE & TECH
Dark spots – Researchers from the UK have identified 33 “dark spots” worldwide that probably harbour thousands of unknown plant species, the Guardian reported. The study, published in the journal New Phytologist, aimed to assist scientists in better targeting conservation efforts and accelerating the rate of plant discoveries. Almost all of the areas coincide with the ones that have already been identified as biodiversity hotspots, defined as biogeographic regions with significant levels of biodiversity that are threatened by human habitation.
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