The Sarawak Assembly passed an amendment bill to streamline overlapping function

The Sarawak Assembly passed the Sarawak Forestry Corporation Bill to streamline wildlife protection and management, prevent duplication of duties, strengthen environmental efforts, promote responsible tourism, and prioritize biodiversity conservation. The government aims to designate one million hectares as totally protected areas by 2025, with over 2 million hectares already gazetted. To know more, you can click here.

Philippine and corporates safeguard Verde Island Passage amid development concerns

The Philippine government partners with major conglomerates to conserve the Verde Island Passage, home to 1,700 marine species. While the initiative aims for sustainable development, concerns arise as the same firms pursue an LNG facility in the area. The MoU signed by the DENR and DOE commits to long-term protection, with funding contributions from all parties. Conservation efforts face threats from illegal fishing, pollution, and irresponsible tourism. Click here to learn more.

G20 urged to align bioeconomy efforts

The Global Stocktake assesses G20 members' bioeconomy progress, highlighting its trillion-dollar growth potential by 2050. Emphasizing an equitable, biodiversity-friendly, and climate-supportive approach, it aims to guide collaboration through key themes like economic integration, equity, finance, biotrade, and measurement. To learn more, you can click here.

Ecosystem Condition Protocol Draft set to debut at COP16

An Ecosystem Condition (EC) Protocol, similar to the GHG Protocol, aims to standardize ecosystem condition measurement across corporate reporting and biodiversity markets. The draft will launch at COP16 in October, with the official version expected in two years, facilitating comparison of corporate biodiversity performance and providing clear guidance on reporting. The goal is to drive standardization in ecosystem condition measurement and biodiversity credit accounting. Click here to learn more

UK climate tech secures $15 million for AI-based ecosystem restoration tool

Dendra Systems, a company founded in 2018, has secured over $15 million in a Series B funding round led by Zouk Capital, with participation from Aramco Ventures and Airbus Ventures. They utilize AI and drone technologies for land rehabilitation, aiming to combat biodiversity loss and climate change. The funding will expand their global impact. To learn more, you can click here.

Triodos and Fondaction partner up for institutional investment natural capital funds

Triodos Bank and Canadian pension fund Fondaction partner to finance sustainable initiatives, advocate for a fairer financial sector, and address the biodiversity finance gap. Their joint venture focuses on real asset financing and advocacy to drive positive change through collaboration, education, and policy influence in the financial sector. Click here to know more.

Rejuvenated wildlife thriving in revitalized ecosystems

The Innoprise-IKEA Tropical Forest Rehabilitation Project in Sabah has successfully restored 18,500ha of severely degraded forests, reintroducing native tree species to enhance biodiversity. Survey findings on wildlife distribution, threats, tourism potential, and future research avenues were highlighted at the project's Resources & Wildlife Survey 2023 Seminar. Collaboration with various organizations is crucial for strategic management and sustainable forest practices. To know more, you can click here.

Time for companies to consider Internal Prices on Nature

With the goal of achieving a "nature-positive" world by 2030, companies face increasing pressure to assess and transform operations to address biodiversity impacts. The potential of an Internal Price on Nature (IPN) in guiding businesses towards ecosystem preservation and restoration is highlighted. Click here to know more.

Tropical peatland rewetting benefits: subsidence reduction and forest regrowth from large-scale trial

Drainage and deforestation of tropical peat swamp forests in Southeast Asia lead to global concerns over carbon emissions and biodiversity loss. Our large-scale restoration trial in Sumatra shows that rewetting through the construction of peat dams reduced carbon emissions and promoted the regrowth of native tree species. This approach suggests a stepwise rewetting strategy for effective peat swamp forest restoration and ecosystem balance. Click here to know more.

Sabah is dedicated to restoring forests and conserving biodiversity

Sabah has shown significant dedication to forest restoration and conservation, emphasizing the importance of State forests in biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and sustainable development. Through reforestation programmes and participation in the Heart of Borneo initiative, Sabah aims to restore degraded forests, enhance ecosystem functions, and promote biodiversity.To know more, you can click here.

Perak Forestry Dept to boost enforcement against forest reserve trespassing

The Perak Mentri Besar announced plans to hire more enforcement personnel to prevent trespassing in forest reserves, citing incidents of illegal intrusions and fish bombing activities. The state government has gazetted new permanent forest reserve land, maintaining Perak's status with the highest number of reserves in Peninsular Malaysia. Additionally, the state has planted about 7.88 million trees under the 100 Million Trees Planting Programme, surpassing the yearly target of two million trees. The aim is to plant 100 million trees, a goal believed to be achievable. Click here to learn more.

Progress over perfection in safeguarding nature and biodiversity among ASEAN businesses

Integrating nature and biodiversity into ASEAN's bioeconomy is crucial for sustainable operations. Collaboration and regulations are needed to address pricing challenges and protect natural resources, emphasizing the importance of incorporating nature in decarbonization efforts. Panellists highlighted conservation, financial institutions' role in sustainability, and the need for government regulations and sustainable finance for biodiversity protection. Collaboration among ASEAN member states is key for positive change and investments in biodiversity protection.To know more, you can click here.