Insights

Week 17: Conservation Finance News

Written by Insights Team | 4/22/24 1:30 AM

Sabah rainforest project generates first tranche of carbon credits

The Kuamut Rainforest Conservation Project (KRCP) reached a milestone with its first verified carbon units. It's a partnership between the Sabah Forestry Department, Yayasan Sabah, and UK-based Permian Global's local subsidiary. Permian Global chairman confirmed the project's compliance with international standards for climate, community, and biodiversity progress in its first Monitoring Report, verified last month. Click here to know more.

 

Tech companies launch fund for global biodiversity targets

An environmental impact platform and a payments network have joined forces to introduce a groundbreaking fund dedicated to supporting initiatives that align with achieving the world's global biodiversity goals. Surpassing a remarkable $1.5 billion globally by the close of 2023, the launch of eight new vehicles during this period signifies a significant step forward, despite facing challenges in performance across various sectors. To learn more, click here.

 

UK Peatland Code likely to stack biodiversity credits with carbon from 2025

Next year, peatland in the UK might generate biodiversity credits alongside carbon credits under the Peatland Code. IUCN UK Peatland Programme said in draft guidance released last Thursday on Version 3.0, expected in Q2 2025, may include monitoring, reporting, and verification options for biodiversity credits. Although stacking credits isn't possible in Version 2.1, efforts to enable it are ongoing, and work on making the practice possible is underway, the program said in a consultation open until May 20. Click here to learn more. 

 

Second consultation launched by the International Panel on Biodiversity Credits

The International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits (IAPB) is conducting its second consultation to explore the evolving biodiversity market, aiming to gather insights on potential foundational models. This ongoing process, scheduled until May 24, builds upon a previous call for input that concluded in January. With engagement from 70 respondents spanning 26 countries across diverse sectors, including prominent contributions from NGOs, nature-monitoring initiatives, experts, and corporate entities, the consultation seeks to enrich discussions on the emerging biodiversity landscape. Click here to know more.

 

UNEP survey shows Non-EU countries lack funding for biodiversity indicators

Many non-EU countries lack funding to produce required biodiversity indicators under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), as per a UNEP survey. Out of 44 respondent countries across continents, most cited a funding shortage, emphasizing the need for more resources within the next five years. To know more, you can click here.

 

Non-Profit and Carbon Project Developer Introduce Tokenized 'Co-Benefit Unit' Linked to ACCU Issuance

Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) from a Western Australian project will be linked to independently verified 'co-benefit units' on blockchain, developers reveal. Corporate Carbon and non-profit Forever Wild Group, with tech company Beimpact, will attach 'co-benefit units' to 28,600 ACCUs for the Narndee and Boodanoo human-induced regeneration (HIR) project, announced last Wednesday. Click here to know more.

 

Biodiversity credit market demand to surge with wide price range

An analysis of recent transactions under five voluntary biodiversity credit frameworks has found that prices vary massively, ranging from $7 to $41,000 per unit for a 100-year conservation period, with average rates expected to surge in the coming years. To know more, you can click here.

 

Scotland seeks to create pipeline of investable nature projects

The Scottish government is exploring plans to establish investable natural capital initiatives, including biodiversity credits. They envision voluntary codes or compliance markets to boost markets in biodiversity, water quality, soil, hedgerow, and natural flood management. The voluntary carbon market, led by the Woodland Carbon and Peatland Codes, is currently the most developed. The government's  Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland (EIRNS) funded 27 projects between 2023 and 2024, spanning saltmarshes, peatlands, rivers, lochs, farmland, and biodiversity. To know more, you can click here.

 

$6.3 billion of green investment contributed by Indonesia and the Philippines in SEA

Indonesia and the Philippines led the charge in contributing a significant portion of the $6.3 billion increase in green investments across Southeast Asia. However, it is Singapore and Vietnam that have shown the most promising advancements in meeting climate objectives over the past year. As the region grapples with the daunting task of achieving the $1.5 trillion needed to reach 2030 emissions targets, these countries stand out for their progress and dedication to environmental sustainability. Click here to know more.

 

The Nature Conservancy CEO opposes global biodiversity units, prefers regional certificates.

Jennifer Morris, CEO of The Nature Conservancy, dismisses the concept of preserving nature through globally tradable biodiversity units, citing scientific inconsistencies. Instead, she suggests that regional certificates with a "like for like" approach could be a more effective solution. To know more, you can click here.