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TOP STORY
INTERVIEW: Reckless use of AI in biodiversity could lead to “undesirable” outcomes
The current lack of attention to the downsides of artificial intelligence (AI) in nature conservation and its broader implications could result in undesirable consequences, including the development of a biased biodiversity credit market, an expert told Carbon Pulse.
MARKET
English nutrient credit reform proposals could work, consultancy says
An ecological consultancy has endorsed the English government’s proposals for centralising its nutrient credits scheme, while highlighting potential risks with its approach regarding the impact on species.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Researchers flag gaps in nature-related disclosures in Asia-Pacific
A study on corporate reporting in the Asia-Pacific region has found that only a quarter of surveyed companies believe biodiversity issues impact their business, with South Korea, Vietnam, and China among the countries with the biggest gaps in nature-related disclosures.
African Natural Capital Alliance reveals fellowship members
The African Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA) has revealed 22 members of its fellowship programme, which seeks to raise biodiversity finance, including executives from several large financiers.
TOOLS & GUIDANCE
IUCN releases guidance to strengthen global OECM network
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has released guidance to identify, monitor, and strengthen Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), stressing the need to ramp up private financing in order to improve their management.
POLICY
NGOs outline priority actions in run-up to UN Ocean Conference
The programme of the UN Ocean Conference is missing three crucial points on industrial fishing, fossil fuels, and protected areas, a group of NGOs has said.
Climate crisis, biodiversity loss top long-term global concerns, WEF says
The consequences of the climate crisis and biodiversity loss are seen as the greatest global risks over the next decade among experts across the private and public sectors, according to a report released Wednesday by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
SCIENCE & TECH
UK conservation podcast secures backing from property consultancy
A UK natural capital portfolio has secured sponsorship from a rural property consultancy to continue its podcast, which discusses conservation, rural land management, and the natural capital economy.
Bottom-contact fishing activities continued in EU despite closures, study finds
Bottom-contact fishing activities, considered harmful to marine ecosystems, continued in EU waters between 2022 and 2023 even after the European Commission’s decision to limit the practice, a study has found.
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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Bring back mammoths – US-based biotechnology and genetic engineering firm Colossal has announced it secured $200 mln in its latest Series C funding round. The company said it aims to bring back extinct species like the woolly mammoth. Led by investment company TWG Global, the funding round will help Colossal develop genetic engineering technologies and expand its ‘de-extinction’ species list. “Our recent successes in creating the technologies necessary for our end-to-end de-extinction toolkit have been met with enthusiasm by the investor community,” Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal, said in a statement. Since launching in 2021, Colossal has raised $435 mln in funding.
Coastal protection – The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has announced its support for five projects designed to enhance coastal ecosystems in Latin America and the Caribbean. The selected initiatives, which will be implemented in Barbados, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago, will receive funding from IDB Lab, the innovation laboratory of the IDB group, as well as from USAID. These projects will focus on areas including recycling and the production of arsenic-free animal feed.
Fund close – Investment manager New Forests has announced the final close of its fund focussing on Australian and New Zealand forestry and landscapes, raising A$600 mln ($372 mln). The Australia, New Zealand Landscapes and Forestry Fund was first launched in 2022 and provides exposure to integrated forest, land, carbon, and agriculture markets, with benefits for biodiversity. (Carbon Pulse)
POLICY
Sanctuary – Over A$800,000 ($497,000) has been raised for the creation of the Prom Sanctuary, an Australian 20-year conservation project located in the Wilsons Promontory National Park, the Victorian government said on Thursday. Once completed, the Prom Sanctuary will be the largest conservation initiative of its kind in Victoria, providing vital protection for the region’s unique ecosystems. The fundraising campaign was launched this summer by Parks Victoria, and the People and Parks Foundation.
Canadian wildlife – The Canadian government has designated three new National Wildlife Areas (NWA) in Nova Scotia to protect migratory birds and endangered species: Country Island, Isle Haute, and St Paul Island. With these additions, Canada now has a total of 60 NWAs, which together cover 3.5 mln ha of terrestrial and marine habitat.
Nigerian mangroves – Nigeria is developing a national roadmap to protect its mangroves and secure grants from the $4 bln Mangrove Breakthrough Alliance, according to local media reports. The initiative will focus on promoting nature-based solutions, engaging local communities, and securing sustainable financing through stakeholder consultations across Lagos and nine Nigerian states, the newspaper Leadership reported. (Carbon Pulse)
Unicorns – A nature reserve will expand by over 4,000 ha up to approximately 19,000 ha in Hue, Vietnam, Viet Nam news has reported. The move will help protect several endangered species in the area, including the horned bovine Saola, also known as the ‘Asian unicorn’, and contribute to the restoration of degraded forest. The reserve is recognised as a global Key Biodiversity Area.
SCIENCE & TECH
Non-legal – The UK government’s nature agency has been informed about a “non-legal biodiversity metric calculation tool” that is in circulation, according to Jason Reeves, head of policy at the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. The tool, which resembles the standard metric but with a few alterations, has been used for some BNG projects. It has extra hidden tabs that avoid some of the built-in checks, said Reeves, posting on the new Biodiversity Net Gain Forum group on LinkedIn that officially launched this week.
Scottish lynx – Four lynx have been captured in Scotland this month following a “rogue rewilding” attempt, The Guardian reported. Some research has suggested that the Highlands have the capacity to sustain up to 400 wild lynx, and their return has been widely backed by some environmental organizations. However, figures in the rewilding community swiftly criticised this week’s unauthorised release as “reckless”.
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