PA Future’s Post

Lim Li Ching, a senior researcher at the Third World Network (TWN), said: “For us, the central issue is that it really is a dangerous distraction, because we’re not actually focusing on the real causes of biodiversity loss.” Sophus zu Ermgassen, an ecological economist from Oxford University and co-author of the first academic review of nature credits, said: “Without a driver of demand, there are likely to be very few buyers of voluntary biodiversity credits. So my main concern about biodiversity credits is not that they’re harmful – they can’t do much harm if not many people buy them. My main concern is the way they steal the political discourse and political capital away from more important and impactful solutions.” Definitely agree here. #biodiversity #biodiversitycredits #biodiversitycrisis #biodiversityoffsetting #cop16 https://lnkd.in/eGmAMc65.theguardian.com%2Fenvironment%2F2024%2Fnov%2F11%2Fbiodiversity-credits-framework-cop16-rules-out-global-offsetting-aoe&utm_campaign=aga&utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4

Shaping #NatureConservation Through #BiodiversityCredits Key Takeaways: - Innovative investments in nature restoration offer tangible returns. - Biodiversity credits create a new pathway for companies to positively impact nature. - Debt-for-nature swaps and biodiversity credits present scalable solutions to fund conservation. Further Insights 1. Nature loss: Record biodiversity loss worldwide, driven by and contributing to climate change, highlights an urgent need for intervention. 2. Funding gap: A significant funding gap exists for nature conservation, with a need for over $700 billion per year by 2030. 3. Nature restoration: Individuals and companies are making returns from investing in nature restoration, indicating the financial viability of biodiversity credits. 4. Biodiversity credits: Biodiversity credits, similar to carbon credits, involve the improvement of land management to create measurable biodiversity uplifts, providing a tradable asset. 5. Debt-for-nature swaps: Utilizing debt-for-nature swaps to fund SDGs, conservation efforts are being funded through debt savings, making them attractive to institutional investors. 6. Compliance market: The UK's Environment Act, by mandating a net biodiversity improvement for significant developments, highlights a pioneering legislative approach to conservation investments. 7. Voluntary market potential: There's growing corporate interest in becoming 'nature positive', with biodiversity projects offering measurable improvements and potential for scalable impact. 8. Market challenges: Biodiversity credit markets face challenges in standardization and ensuring ecological integrity, underlining the need for robust governance and funding. Closing Thoughts: As the discussion on biodiversity credits advances, the importance of regional specificities and tangible, measurable impact cannot be overstated. Could local solutions be the backbone of global standards?

Currently, COP16 is in full swing in Cali, Colombia, where world leaders are gathering to shape the Global Biodiversity Framework. This framework, aimed at reversing biodiversity loss, requires substantial financial resources. One proposed solution is the introduction of biodiversity credits, a market instrument presented as a financing tool. However, this approach raises questions about its effectiveness and potential pitfalls. I recently wrote an article to critically examine the implications of such credits https://lnkd.in/eGhc5s2c

Wilderlands were proud to provide insights for this Pollination report detailing the state of the Voluntary Biodiversity Market. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/eQkAspbr The report is based on a survey of 16 organisations around the world that are leading the development and administration of biodiversity credit schemes and the sale of biodiversity credits. It states that voluntary biodiversity credit markets are growing, integrity measures are maturing, and early transactions demonstrate that there is confidence building in these market. Co-authored by Veda FitzSimons , Olivia Back, Laura Waterford, Jane Hutchinson, and Ariadne Gorring, it contains the first comprehensive estimate of the value of voluntary biodiversity credit markets globally, as well as insights into the drivers of demand. Who is buying credits and why? How many have been sold? What integrity measures are being put in place? The report contributes invaluable insights that address these questions and many more. To read this report and many more like this, visit the Wilderlands Reports Hub where we’ve compiled a range of resources focused on the voluntary biodiversity market. Reports Hub: https://lnkd.in/gwdMXvBy We were also pleased to see our partnership with al.ive body® included as a case study in the footer of page 22. Read the case study: https://lnkd.in/ghNeSRPY Learn more about the other 14 biodiversity credit developers who provide insights as part of the survey: BioCarbon Standard, Climate Action Company (formerly, CarbonZ), CreditNature, Environment Bank, ERA Brazil, Gold Standard Foundation, GreenCollar, Plan Vivo Foundation, rePLANET, Savimbo, Terrain NRM, Terrasos, and Verra Ash Knop, Deanna Marshall, Paul Dettmann, Nopera Whitley, Cody Rees, Heath Evans.

When you think of biodiversity, what comes to mind? 🪸 It’s beautiful, 🌱 Delicate yet resilient, 🐝 And vital to sustaining life on Earth. So, you’d be forgiven for thinking it would be tough to accurately measure your impact on it! Well, we’ve got some great news for you - 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁, 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱, 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱. We measure biodiversity impacts in terms of 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 of species (PDF). This academically-preferred metric quantifies the annual global species extinction risk resulting from a company’s operations. We also present PDF as 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁, measured in km²– think of it as the amount of pristine nature transformed into an urban area. 🖼️ What’s more, we evaluate a company’s dependencies on all 25 ecosystem services listed in the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) (e.g. Air Filtration and Pollination). We rank these dependencies using the widely-known ENCORE system, giving you a complete picture of how your company impacts biodiversity. ☝️𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗹–𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮. Our database already covers 15,000 companies, but if yours isn’t listed, send us your data and we’ll run the analysis for you. Follow along as we discover how GIST Impact supports businesses to assess their biodiversity risks and opportunities, next time. Yara International #COP16 #BiodiversityFootprint #PDF #TNFD

Are you following discussions on Biodiversity Markets? If not - you should be! GFC has joined over 200 CSOs in calling for and END to the promotion, development and use of biodiversity offsetting and crediting schemes DON'T BE FOOLED!  BIODIVERSITY MARKETS ARE FALSE SOLUTIONS Stop the promotion, development and use of biodiversity offsetting and crediting schemes. Instead, prioritize transformational change in tackling the underlying causes of biodiversity loss

We all know that carbon credits are fundamentally different to biodiversity credits. Location specificity is the common separator cited, but another significant difference is the temporal dimension. Removing or offsetting carbon from the atmosphere is an act of change at a single point in time. Natural assets produce ecosystem services, which are gifts that can keep giving indefinitely if effectively maintained. Eric Wilburn talks about why a subscription-based model (i.e. a credit that is minted annually) might make more sense when implementing biodiversity credits with long-term relational benefits.

Shaping the future of finance by guiding organisations to become nature-positive🌿 Exciting times ahead as we get to be part of the Finance for Biodiversity (FfB) report on Biodiversity Measurement Approaches for the second time! In this edition, we've kept integrating data from the pioneering Global Impact Data for Biodiversity (GID Biodiversity) database, signaling a leap forward in the intersection of finance and biodiversity conservation. Over 3000 top-performing companies worldwide are leveraging this guide to evaluate their methods, highlighting its global relevance and impact🌐 At the heart of sustainable finance lies the imperative to accurately measure and mitigate biodiversity impacts. The FfB report empowers stakeholders across industries with actionable insights to drive informed investment decisions that prioritise both financial returns and environmental sustainability. Our involvement in the report underscores our commitment to biodiversity measurement, as we strive to establish standardised methodologies that resonate with the principles of transparency, comparability, and accountability 📊 Our aim is not only to assess current biodiversity impacts but also to catalyse transformative change by aligning financial flows with conservation objectives. As we navigate the complexities of our interconnected world, we need to embrace innovation and collaboration to safeguard our planet's biodiversity. By leveraging cutting-edge data and insights, we are not only mitigating risks but also unlocking new opportunities for sustainable growth and resilience. Join us in championing a transition to sustainable finance where environmental stewardship and financial prosperity go hand in hand. #Biodiversity #Finance #ThoughtLeadership #Sustainability #GIDBiodiversity #ImpactMeasurement #EnvironmentalStewardship