Shauna Deidre Matkovich

TNFD Releases Draft Guidance on Nature Transition Planning at COP16 The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) published a discussion paper offering draft guidance for corporates and financial institutions on developing and disclosing nature transition plans. This guidance aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which aims to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and restore ecosystems by 2050. Around the world, people are working towards change, and this is a powerful example of a global effort to protect our natural ecosystems. By providing clear guidance and practical steps, TNFD helps businesses everywhere adopt strategies that contribute to a healthier, more resilient planet. 🌍 🔗 Read the full discussion paper: https://lnkd.in/gqj7rGiB   🔗 Explore the press release: https://lnkd.in/gPHbjj-c What’s Next?  TNFD is inviting feedback from businesses, financial institutions, and stakeholders until 1 February 2025. This input, along with insights from pilot testing, will shape the final TNFD guidance on nature transition plans set for release in 2025. At ESG&I , we’re committed to helping companies integrate these practices globally to create a better, more sustainable future for all. Reach out to us for guidance on incorporating nature and climate-focused ESG strategies into your organization. #TNFD #COP16 #Biodiversity #Sustainability #NatureTransition #GBF #GlobalEffort #BetterFuture #ESG #CorporateSustainability #ESG&I #nature

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The operationalization of #Article6 marks a critical milestone for Southeast Asia, potentially transforming the region's approach to #carbonmarkets and climate action. As countries finalize frameworks to enable cross-border emissions trading, Southeast Asia stands at the forefront, with its tropical forests, peatlands, and mangroves offering unique carbon storage capacities. This move opens up opportunities for collaborative climate strategies, allowing nations to align their carbon reduction commitments with global ambitions under the Paris Agreement. However, robust governance and transparency will be essential to ensure these mechanisms benefit local communities and ecosystems.   This momentum resonates with Verra’s recent partnership announcement with SustainCERT, aiming to improve Scope 3 emissions reporting and verification. Verra’s approach underscores the need for reliable standards that can support corporations in meeting climate goals with transparency and accountability. In the context of Article 6, initiatives like this enhance the credibility of emissions reduction claims, especially as businesses and countries prepare to engage in cross-border carbon markets. Such advancements pave the way for more accurate and trustworthy climate actions across the region.   For GHG Actions, this is a moment to support projects that uphold rigorous environmental and social standards, promoting integrity and long-term impact in Southeast Asia’s carbon market landscape. As companies strive for Scope 3 compliance, we see opportunities to advocate for projects that protect vital #ecosystems and empower communities. By aligning our work with global standards, we are committed to playing a meaningful role in realizing a sustainable future for Southeast Asia and beyond. https://lnkd.in/gns7uyUj   #GHGActions #mitigatingclimatechange #carbonmarket #sustainability

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Global Biodiversity Score | 📢 New Position Paper on Biodiversity Funds and Impact Measurement Released! With the rapid growth of the biodiversity fund market, the need for rigorous scrutiny has never been more urgent—especially to combat the risk of greenwashing. Enhanced oversight from financial regulators is a welcome step towards ensuring these funds deliver genuine ecological benefits. 🌿Tools for measuring biodiversity impact, such as the Global Biodiversity Score, can offer valuable company-specific quantitative assessments of both impacts and dependencies and can play an important role in structuring biodiversity funds. 📑The position paper addresses two key misconceptions regarding biodiversity impact measurement in the context of biodiversity funds: 👉 Diversity Matters: The complex, multi-dimensional nature of biodiversity that need to be covered (as outline in https://lnkd.in/dwk-_PKw ) does not diminish the importance of aggregated metrics like the Mean Species Abundance (MSA) for assessing the ecosystem aspect. 👉 Metrics vs. Tools : Although current biodiversity impact databases have limitations, these should not overshadow the potential of properly applied aggregated metrics. By leveraging these tools accurately, it is still possible to develop biodiversity funds that genuinely foster ecological gains. Establishing a clear and transparent framework for what qualifies as a biodiversity fund is decisive. Regulatory guidance should emphasise the need for more detailed company-specific quantitative and qualitative data that can reflect the real impacts of mitigation and conservation policies and actions. 💡 As we release this position paper at a critical moment, we are gearing up to advocate for stronger data-driven approaches to biodiversity metrics, tools, and methodologies. Our aim is to ensure that businesses and financial institutions are aligned with global biodiversity goals. We look forward to presenting and exchanging on these topics at #COP16 in Cali next month. 👉 https://lnkd.in/dq2gyz7M

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The-Adaptation and Resilience Investor Collaborative (ARIC), with the support of the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) has developed a framework for investors to assess the impacts from investing in climate adaptation and resilience, writes Krystle Higgins. #impactinvesting #climateresilience #climateadaptation #metrics https://lnkd.in/e-3b5HdD

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India’s path to sustainability tackles #ClimateChange and #SocioEconomic challenges together. Carbon offset projects, following #Climate, #Community, and #Biodiversity (CCB) Standards, play a significant role, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and driving UN #SustainableDevelopmentGoals (#SDGs). 🌱🌏 CCB Projects in India target critical areas like #PovertyAlleviation, #BiodiversityConservation, #GenderEquality, and #CleanWater access, providing holistic benefits beyond carbon sequestration, advancing towards SDGs. 1. Climate: Building resilience through #Afforestation, #ForestRestoration, and ecosystem-based solutions (SDG 13: #ClimateAction). 🌍 Reforestation efforts help stabilize climates and bolster vulnerable regions. 2. Community: Empowering communities and promoting equality. 🌳🌾 CCB projects create livelihoods through #Agroforestry (SDG 1: #NoPoverty), boost incomes, and champion women’s participation (SDG 5: #GenderEquality), fostering economic and social growth. 3. Biodiversity: Conserving ecosystems (SDG 15: #LifeOnLand) 🌱 and managing water resources (SDG 6: #CleanWater). By restoring wetlands and watersheds, CCB projects support biodiversity and enhance water quality. 🚀 Join Us for a Sustainable Future At #AmrutNature, we drive impactful #Afforestation and #Reforestation initiatives. Let’s build a future where climate action strengthens communities and preserves nature. 🌏✨

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CORSIA Update: Verra, Gold Standard Await Full Approval, Prices Soar! Leading carbon credit registries, including Verra, Gold Standard, Social Carbon and Climate Action Reserve have received conditional approval from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for Phase 1 (2024-2026). The American Carbon Registry and the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions are the only registries with full approval for Phase 1. Market Reaction: The news sent shockwaves through the carbon market. Following ICAO's announcement, CORSIA futures surged significantly, exceeding 100% in just two days to reach $20 per ton. This price increase likely reflects the perceived tightening of credit availability as airlines have fewer options for approved offsets. Impact on Airlines: This delay affects airlines' ability to utilize carbon offsets issued by Verra, Gold Standard, and other major registries for CORSIA compliance in Phase 1. This could potentially impact early participation and project development for airlines seeking to offset their emissions. Reason for Conditional Approval: ICAO identified areas requiring improvement in these registries' processes, particularly regarding credit accounting and avoiding double-counting of emission reductions under UN guidelines. Verra, Gold Standard, and other registries have until April 15th, 2024 to address ICAO's concerns and resubmit their documentation. A final decision on their full eligibility for CORSIA Phase 1 is expected by September 2024. For further details, read the following link. https://lnkd.in/epeRjrcd #CORSIA #CarbonOffsets #Aviation #Sustainability

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CDP's 2023 Climate Transition Plan Disclosure is out! Here are the key takeaways: - Climate transition plan indicators are converging across major frameworks like CDP, International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)'s IFRS S2 (TCFD), EU's ESRS, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Climate rules, UK's TPT, GRI, and Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ). - Sectors that inherently focus on long-term strategic planning and sustainable returns, such as power generation (32%), financial services (30%), and infrastructure (24%), are leading in climate transition disclosures. - Climate transition plans appear to be a higher priority for companies that are publicly listed. Europe's FTSEurofirst 300 (77%) and Korea's KOSPI 200 (74%) are top-performing climate transition disclosure indexes. - The companies that disclosed to CDP that they would develop a climate transition plan in 2021, only 44% established a plan by 2023, with just 25 disclosing plans credibly. We are in the most critical decade of environmental action. Companies are grappling on how to take meaningful climate action and be Paris aligned. Do you think the convergence of climate transition frameworks will accelerate the rate of companies to develop climate transition plans in the next year? #CDP #ClimateChange #ClimateStrategy

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How are carbon credits priced? And what would it take to bring greater transparency to carbon credit pricing? I'll be speaking about these questions with - Alasdair Were from Abaxx Commodity Futures Exchange and Clearinghouse, Alice Mason from S&P Global, and Chamss Ould from dClimate. Come join and ask some questions of your own: https://lnkd.in/gQSKexNw

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The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) has approved #Verra as a “high-integrity” carbon credits certifier. This comes after an investigation by The Guardian alleging that 90 percent of the carbon offsets by Verra are phantom credits. ICVCM explains that Verra has made changes to its procedures, including new monitoring programmes, grievance procedures and greater transparency. Singapore-based carbon bourse Climate Impact X (CIX) is also monitoring the situation. #CarbonCredits #CarbonOffsets

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Good to see more progress from colleagues at The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) in efforts to build end to end integrity in the VCMs. The helps the buyers VCMI focuses on identity high integrity credits. https://lnkd.in/dJMSNxus #carbonmarkets #integrity #climatefinance

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Exciting progress in the carbon markets! The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has recently approved four more prominent carbon standards—Gold Standard, Verra, Global Carbon Council, and Climate Action Reserve—for inclusion in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (#CORSIA). This groundbreaking move enables airlines and operators to offset their emissions by purchasing carbon credits under the first industry-wide system of its kind. The decision has been highly anticipated by voluntary carbon market (VCM) stakeholders, as it is poised to drive significant demand, potentially surpassing the available carbon credits supply. This marks a pivotal moment for sustainability in the #aviation sector! 🌱✈️ #CarbonMarkets #Sustainability #Aviation

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🌿 Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA) released the second issue paper on "Review Mechanisms for Supply-side Quality and Integrity in the Biodiversity Credit Market": https://lnkd.in/dnSHmaKr Manesh Lacoul, Global Coordinator, Biodiversity Credit Alliance, shares his insights: "BCA is about to publish its second issue paper, which delineates the process of developing an independent review mechanism for the emerging biodiversity credit market. BCA work streams are initiated to address the need for equity, quality and integrity early on in the development of the biodiversity credit market to help lay a foundation for its long-term sustainability and success.    Only with strong foundations will the market contribute effectively to global biodiversity conservation goals while upholding ethical standards and promoting social equity as outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.   BCA is aligning its efforts to provide ongoing guidance in the direction illustrated in this paper, mobilizing partners and engaging in a broad stakeholder consultation process to establish this key component of the market governance framework.   BCA is also currently in its final preparations for the release of its third issue paper “Definition of a Biodiversity Credit”. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dx_rniZA #biodiversity #biodiversitycredits #BCA #supply #integrity

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Every project seeking to register in a Verra standards program undergoes a 30-day public comment period. The public comment periods for the projects listed here opened during the week of June 10. #ClimateAction #CarbonMarkets #SustainableDevelopment https://bit.ly/3KOaZcw

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Verra has released new additionality assessment tools for the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. Since additionality is one of the foundational principles that underpin the voluntary carbon market (VCM), this development is expected to contribute to the integrity and quality of the market. The new additionality tools will strengthen the VCM’s integrity in several ways: 🔹 More rigorous financial justification and stricter benchmarks for financial indicators, such as the internal rate of return (IRR), reduce the risk of over-crediting for projects that would have occurred anyway and ensure that only projects that significantly rely on carbon revenues are considered additional. 🔹 The stronger requirements to provide verifiable evidence of barriers add transparency and accountability, ensuring that projects genuinely need the support of carbon markets to proceed. 🔹 Replacing the simple cost analysis with an investment comparison analysis increases the accuracy of financial assessments and helps prevent the approval of projects that might otherwise appear viable without carbon credits. 🔹 Requiring consistency between the assumptions and data reduces the possibility of manipulating figures to make a project appear eligible for carbon credits. See a deeper breakdown of the new tools on our blog: https://lnkd.in/dXE_MbqV 👉 For more information about ClearBlue's VCM expertise and the services we provide to VCM participants using Vantage, our carbon intelligence platform, contact us today.

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ClearBlue Markets’ post mentioning Verra's updated additionality assessment tools is a big step for strengthening integrity in #VoluntaryCarbonMarkets. These enhanced financial and transparency measures align closely with Amazon Conservation Group LLC’s commitment to high-integrity, additionality-based carbon credits. With more rigorous financial standards and accountability for project viability, tools like these are essential in ensuring credits support impactful, verified projects—particularly forest conservation and sustainable initiatives. #CarbonCredits #Sustainability #AmazonConservation #ClimateAction #VCM

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GCF's landmark policy on REDD+ results-based payments = a major boon for forest finance. #ClimateAction The policy permanently integrates REDD+ (Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation + forest-related activities that protect the climate) results-based payments into GCF’s regular project activity cycle. This means we're providing a powerful incentive for developing countries to embark on REDD+ and reduce their emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Learn more about this new policy adopted recently at #GCFB40: https://g.cf/40wuUG8

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Every project seeking to register in a Verra standards program undergoes a 30-day public comment period. The public comment periods for the projects listed here opened during the weeks of May 27 and June 3. #ClimateAction #CarbonMarkets #SustainableDevelopment https://bit.ly/4cdKGIL

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