Carbon Pulse’s free Nature & Biodiversity Pulse newsletter – a summary of our news, plus bite-sized updates from around the world. Subscribe here
TOP STORY
National biodiversity targets fall short of global ambition, PBL says
Countries have demonstrated broad commitment to implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), but their national biodiversity targets collectively remain insufficient to achieve the agreement’s 2030 goals, according to a report by the Netherlands’ PBL environmental assessment agency.
AMERICAS
IFC proposes $30 mln commitment to US fund focused on Brazil’s natural capital
International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group’s private-sector arm, has proposed a $30 million commitment to a credit fund focused on the Brazilian food and agribusiness sector.
Ontario expands protected areas network with C$10 mln conservation deal
The Canadian province of Ontario and the federal government have completed a three-year, C$10 million ($7.1 mln) conservation partnership to permanently protect over 19,000 hectares of forests, wetlands, beaches, trails, and other ecologically significant landscapes.
ASIA PACIFIC
Australian regulator approves stacking of water quality improvement credits, ACCUs
Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has approved the stacking of credits generated through water quality improvement activities with the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme.
Philippines, climate tech firm launch rice‑paddy pilot to generate carbon credits
The Philippine National Irrigation Administration and a climate tech company have jointly launched a pilot project to generate carbon credits from rice paddies through alternate wetting and drying (AWD).
India’s mangrove plantation success should be measured by long‑term outcomes, scientists say
India’s mangrove plantation programmes should be evaluated by long-term ecological outcomes rather than sapling counts, a study suggested.
INTERNATIONAL
Global climate action is building pace in the leadup to COP31
Progress is being made to advance global climate action in the leadup to COP31 in Turkiye as governments and the private sector engage on the key themes of electrification, nature stewardship, agricultural transformation, urban resilience, and social development, report the UN’s Climate High-Level Champions.
Banks still failing to price physical nature risks into lending decisions, report says
Physical climate and nature risks are becoming material for banks, yet most lenders continue to assess them mainly at portfolio level rather than incorporating them into borrower-level credit decisions, according to a report.
Over half of migratory birds are declining -paper
Nearly 51% of migratory bird species are facing population losses, with declines recorded across all major flyways, an international team of scientists has found.
—————————————————
BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
EMEA
Parks bill – Ireland’s biodiversity minister said on Friday he will develop a National Parks Bill that would, for the first time, establish a comprehensive statutory basis for their designation, governance, and management. The proposal was brought to cabinet earlier this week, said the National Parks & Wildlife Service on its website. Currently, Ireland’s national parks are managed under a mix of legislative and administrative arrangements.
EU nature credits – German multinational company Bayer said it is backing the European Commission’s plans to set up an EU-wide market for nature credits. The scheme should be high-integrity and reward actors on the ground, avoid greenwashing, and support climate-relevant nature investments, according to the company. Bayer has engaged directly with the European Commission and other stakeholders on how a future framework can mobilise private finance for biodiversity.
A new record – Kenya will strive to break the Guinness World Record for collective mangrove planting this weekend by mobilising 5,000 volunteers in Mombasa to jointly plant seedlings. Scheduled for Sunday, the initiative is being organised by the Kenya Scouts Association in partnership with the Kenya Forest Service, with strict verification to ensure seedlings are planted correctly and participants are doing so simultaneously. The mangrove drive fits into Kenyan President William Ruto’s national directive to plant 15 bln trees by 2032, aiming to push Kenya’s total tree cover to 30%. While the mangroves themselves will help buffer the Kenyan coastline from rising seas and provide essential breeding grounds for fish stocks. (Streamline)
ASIA PACIFIC
Maldivian biodiversity fund – The Maldivian government is preparing a proposal for the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund to support ecosystem-based management in ecologically significant areas of the South Ari Atoll. A recent stakeholder workshop with representatives from several islands identified conservation priorities, local environmental conditions, and how the proposal should be built to best enhance the technical and human resources that will be needed to better monitor and manage these areas.
Recognition – The Australian government has welcomed the UNESCO World Heritage Committee recognition of the country’s efforts to protect and manage the Great Barrier Reef. The Committee made the decision during its 48th session in Busan, Republic of Korea. Efforts include action on climate change, water quality, land clearing, and sustainable fisheries management, according to a statement released by the Australian government on Friday. The country will draft a progress report on the Reef to UNESCO in 2028 and a State of Conservation report in 2029.
AMERICAS
Quebec urban biodiversity – Quebec municipalities are increasingly investing in urban biodiversity initiatives as a strategy to address both the effects of climate change and declining ecosystem health. With green infrastructure projects expanding in cities like Montreal through initiatives like microforests, pollinator-friendly habitats, green corridors, and naturalised public spaces, the Canadian province is investing in increasing its overall tree canopy, wildlife support, and residents’ wellbeing. Aligning with Quebec’s Nature 2030 investment plan, these developments are designed to further enhance the province’s biodiversity and climate resilience targets.
Oregon forest conservation – The US state of Oregon has approved a long-term forestry management plan to reduce clear-cutting and enhance wildlife, water quality, and climate protections for over 250,000 ha of western state forests. The plan will take effect in 2027 and will see overall timber harvests decline by about 20% in the coming decades, with roughly half of the forests to become largely unavailable for logging. The strategy prioritises the protection of old-growth forests, threatened species habitat protections, and the potential to generate voluntary carbon market revenue.
Big cats protection – El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly has ratified the framework agreement establishing the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), paving the way for the country to access funding for wild cat conservation. Membership could unlock up to $18 mln for projects protecting native species, including pumas, ocelots, and margays, La Prensa Grafica reported. The alliance, launched in India in 2023, supports international cooperation to conserve the world’s seven major big cat species.
INTERNATIONAL
Milestone – Plastic credit platform PCX Markets has surpassed 242,000 tonnes of plastic waste diverted from nature through 54 recovery projects across 16 countries, according to Einnews. The company uses three standards to verify the plastic credits it commercialises, including one of its own, Verra’s Plastic Waste Reduction Standard (PWRS), and the Ocean Bound Plastic (OBP) Standard.
—————————————————
ADVERTISE WITH US
Check out our 2026 Advertising Brochure & Media Pack, featuring updated offerings and prices. Bookings are open! The pack presents an overview of our content, products, and readership, as well as full details of our website and newsletter advertising opportunities.
Got a tip? How about some feedback? Email us at [email protected]