Netherlands Agricultural Network’s Post

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen recently addressed the potential for a market-based system of nature credits to avert ecosystem collapse. Her words at DLD Nature touched upon important work that Biodiversity Credit Alliance is undertaking jointly with World Economic Forum and International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits, along with support from representatives of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This is encouraging to all who have been engaged in this consultative process, but also highlights a challenge to key stakeholders to jointly set a high bar for integrity that can become the foundation for a credible, transparent, equitable, inclusive and scalable market for biodiversity credits. There are valuable lessons that can be learned from and built upon in order to catalyze much needed investment in biodiversity conservation. High-Level Principles, a paper to be jointly published by BCA, WEF and IAPB will help guide the emerging market in biodiversity credits and will be launched during #CBD #COP16 in Cali. A new market in nature credits needs the best start possible. Midori Paxton Maxim Vergeichik Jessica Smith Romie Goedicke den Hertog Akanksha Khatri Alessandro Valentini Sylvie Goulard Dame Amelia Fawcett DBE, CVO

Important reflections on the importance of collaborative approaches and high integrity principles for nascent nature credit markets:

Savimbo is very happy to have contributed to these principles. We think the #biodiversitymarket is fairer, more transparent, and more ethical because its iterative from #carbonmarket design flaws. We can learn how to do this guys. #Climate #biodiversity #actintime #naturetech #nbs #biodiversitycredits #gbf #sustainability #climateactivism #lateristoolate #climatejustice #fairtrade #esg #environment #sustainability #sdg #savimbo #solarpunk #Indigenous

At #COP16, financing the implementation of the Kunming – Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is at the heart of negotiations. Subsidies that harm biodiversity are also being discussed. *Every year governments spend US$470 billion on agricultural subsidies that harm biodiversity and nature.* This staggering number comes from a thoroughly researched recent WWF report. It advocates for a *Repurposing Agenda* and to use these subsidies to enhance sustainable food systems. When governments adopted the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in December 2022, they also agreed to Target 18. Part of this target is an assignment to governments to have identified these harmful subsidies by 2025. This is next year. The WWF report provides a clear Repurposing Agenda based on proven practices. Definitely worth reading: https://lnkd.in/eXNBRQXB

Does GBF really support disclosure of biodiversity impacts? Sharing a new #OpenAccess #paper on Target 15 of the #KMGBF by an IUCN Member, Newcastle University & my #colleagues. This target encourages #businesses and #financial institutions to disclose their #impacts and #dependencies on #biodiversity. The authors argue that the weak target #wording implies #voluntary and #unstandardized #disclosures, which tend to be of low #quality and ineffective. Moreover, there is a risk of limited if not altogether #perverse #outcomes from the target, where businesses provide ambiguous disclosures that fail to reduce impacts on biodiversity, but where an increase in volume and frequency of disclosures would suggest progress toward the target. Consequently, the authors advocate for a #regulatory approach, supported by #scientific engagement in the development of disclosure #standards and associated #policy #indicators, to avoid perverse outcomes and instead result in positive impacts on biodiversity. IUCN advocates that key characteristics of #metrics should be that they are clearly connected to the #conservation of #ecosystems, #species, and #genetic #diversity, #spatially explicit, linked to local changes in the #threats that apply to biodiversity, and are #additive and #actionable, so that companies know which actions to take to deliver positive contributions (Hawkins et al., 2023). #Frameworks such as those outlined in the Nature Positive Initiative guidance (https://lnkd.in/d8Pt9NEc), and the underlying Measuring Nature Positive approach (IUCN, 2023) provide a means by which companies could deliver #compliance with disclosure regulations, at the same time as ensuring that they make verified, robust contributions to Goal A of the KMGBF. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dujjD_ci Authors- Louise Mair Frank Hawkins Juha Siikamäki Philip McGowan

The vast landscapes and rich natural resources in Central Asia hold immense potential for sustainable biodiversity practices. As biodiversity becomes a global priority, the region presents unique opportunities for investment and collaboration, especially when it comes to sustainable agriculture. The Netherlands can play a pivotal role in the battle against biodiversity loss, by leveraging expertise in water management, sustainable agriculture, and innovation. Read the complete article ‘The promise of biodiversity and sustainable food production development in Central Asia' in the link below. This article is part of the 13th edition of the e-magazine Agrospecial, titled "Peace with Nature: Global Biodiversity Commitment" (originally published on October 9, 2024). In this edition, the Netherlands Agricultural Network (LAN) explores the crucial role of biodiversity in agriculture and nature in the context of the COP16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Colombia. Agricultural Counselors from over 18 countries share their involvement in initiatives that foster the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity, highlighting the complex interdependence between biodiversity, water and soil management. In these efforts, cooperation, innovation and knowledge exchange are key, and LAN plays a crucial role in mainstreaming this global commitment. https://lnkd.in/ePbMuBgq #biodiversity | #agrospecial | #COP16 | Ministerie van Landbouw, Visserij, Voedselzekerheid en Natuur | #CentralAsia | Arie Veldhuizen | Anastasia Ryabukha https://lnkd.in/ewYsGd7v

As you know, ESG topics are crucial for the planet due to their impact on society, future generations, and sustainable development. They enhance business practices, community impacts, environmental stewardship, and risk mitigation. Currently, only 16% of investments in climate and biodiversity go to biodiversity, indicating we are not investing enough. In this context, I recommend the new FAO action plan on Mainstreaming Biodiversity. QU Dongyu describes biodiversity as encompassing what we farm, catch, harvest, and cultivate, supporting food networks and livelihoods globally. For more details, read the FAO's strategy #Sustainability #ESG #Biodiversity

CDP joins its partners in urging Members of the European Parliament to reject delays to the implementation of the EU’s Deforestation Regulation. At the end of 2022, leading companies demonstrated deforestation-free supply chains could be achieved - with 104 organizations making high-quality disclosures reporting that at least one commodity supply chain was free or close to free from deforestation or ecosystem conversion.     Regardless of the decision the EU Parliament takes on EUDR enforcement, the immediate goal of achieving socially-just, deforestation- and conversion-free (DCF) supply chains remains and companies should not take their eyes off the goal. CDP will be closely monitoring the progress of companies and expects to see compliance with 2025 goals to significantly increase over the coming years. #DCF #Deforestation #EcosystemConversion #SupplyChain #EUDR

How is political leadership crucial in halting and reversing #NatureLoss now more than ever? 🌱 Following on from #COP16Colombia, the success of the #GlobalBiodiversityFramework lies in the national and regional implementation of its goals and targets. In particular, next week’s parliamentary vote on the EU Deforestation Regulation (#EUDR) will be a pivotal moment to demonstrate the #EU’s commitment to the agenda. Whilst there has been support from companies including Michelin, Tony's Chocolonely, Mars, Danone, the Cocoa Coalition that includes Nestlé, Unilever and Ferrero, it is concerning to now witness the option of delaying its implementation. That’s why, along with our CEO Eva Zabey and many others, we’re calling on Members of the European Parliament not to sign off on these proposals. The EUDR is an important tool to ensure that nature protection, climate change mitigation and human rights protection become the new business as usual for companies, and delaying the regulation would mean that: 🌎 An uneven playing field would be created; the businesses that acted responsibly would be disadvantaged, while those that delayed action would benefit.  🌎 It would send out the wrong message about the EU’s commitment, create confusion and affect the credibility of adopted EU legislations, at a time when businesses need policy certainty and clarity. Ahead of #COP16, 230 leading businesses also called on the EU and governments around the world to demonstrate immediate leadership to strengthen – not weaken – the policies, incentives and legislation that will drive the necessary business action to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eGhPBHyR

Now more than ever, political leadership is crucial in halting and reversing nature loss. As we return from the UN Biodiversity #COP16 in Cali, we know the ultimate success of the Global Biodiversity Framework lies in the national and regional implementation of its goals and targets.   Next week’s parliamentary vote on the EU Deforestation Regulation (#EUDR) will be a pivotal moment to demonstrate the #EU’s commitment to the agenda. There is significant support from companies for this regulation (including Michelin, Tony's Chocolonely, Mars, Danone, the Cocoa coalition that includes Nestlé, Unilever, Ferrero and many more - see comment below).   Yet after years of preparation, it is concerning to now witness the option of delaying its implementation, and even potentially reopening the content of the regulation.   Today, I’m joining many others to urge Members of the European Parliament not to sign off on these proposals.   Global #deforestation has been estimated at 10 million hectares each year. Land-use change is the main driver of biodiversity loss worldwide, with 75% of the world’s land surface already significantly altered. The EUDR is an important tool to ensure that nature protection, climate change mitigation and human rights protection become the new business as usual for companies. Binding due diligence legislation is urgently needed to eliminate legal and illegal deforestation and conversion of natural ecosystems across key forest-risk commodities as foreseen in the #EUDR. Find out more about binding due diligence legislation here: https://lnkd.in/ewBUdN3g   Many companies have been preparing for the EUDR and have invested in compliance audits, supplier engagement and advanced traceability technologies to build deforestation-free supply chains. Delaying the regulation would create an uneven playing field: the businesses that acted responsibly would be disadvantaged, while those that delayed action would benefit.   It would also send the wrong message about the EU’s commitment, create confusion and affect the credibility of adopted EU legislations, at a time when businesses need policy certainty and clarity.  An enabling environment coupled with regulatory certainty will foster innovation, transform business models, mobilize investment and ensure companies are held accountable for their actions and performance.   Ahead of #COP16, 230 leading businesses called on the EU and governments around the world to demonstrate immediate leadership to strengthen – not weaken – the policies, incentives and legislation that will drive the necessary business action to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. Find out more about the 230 leading businesses calling on the EU and governments around the world here: https://bit.ly/Bizstament   Businesses are asking for political leadership, and this means maintaining the EUDR in its current form and with the originally intended implementation dates.   We are counting on you! Manfred Weber Peter Liese