Hoping for greener element in Malaysian budget 2025

Environmentalists and biodiversity experts are anticipating Malaysia’s Budget 2025, hoping for stronger environmental protection following the RM7.1 billion allocated in Budget 2024. Key funds went to the NETR and a biodiversity Sukuk. Experts are calling for increased biodiversity conservation funding, particularly through higher EFT and new initiatives like an EQIP. They also recommend boosting public-private partnerships and pursuing international funding to support climate goals and forest protection. Click here to learn more.

Introducing the Malaysia carbon market policy

Carbon credits let companies offset emissions by purchasing the right to emit carbon dioxide. The launch of Malaysian Carbon Credits by the Bursa Carbon Exchange highlights the country’s potential in carbon projects, with 55.3% forest coverage playing a key role in carbon sequestration. As the global carbon credit market could hit USD 50 billion by 2030, collaboration between federal and state governments is vital for effective forest management and carbon tracking. A National Carbon Market Policy is essential for establishing a successful framework. To learn more, you can click here.

Restoring nature, one monkey at a time

Yap Jo Leen shifted from forensic science to wildlife conservation after working at the Dark Cave site, leading her to found the Langur Project Penang (LPP) to protect the endangered dusky leaf monkey. Dusky langurs face threats from habitat loss, illegal trade, and urbanization, worsened by weak legal protections. Yap stresses the importance of public awareness and has introduced initiatives like artificial canopy bridges to reduce human-primate conflicts, emphasizing the need for more research and conservation efforts in Malaysia. Click here to learn more.

Carbon insurance specialist expands insurance for mangrove carbon credit project in Indonesia

A carbon insurance specialist is supporting Marex's investment in the Global Mangrove Trust's restoration project in North Sumatra, Indonesia. This initiative promotes early-stage carbon solutions by providing insurance coverage, enhancing project credibility, and reducing investment risks. Verified with satellite data and AI, the project also focuses on livelihoods and social initiatives. Since 2021, Marex has used carbon credits from the project to offset emissions. Both companies highlight the importance of risk management and accurate carbon modeling in strengthening the voluntary carbon market. To know more, you can click here.

Monash University, Indonesia Hosts Workshop on Peatland Emission Policy

Led by Dr. Helena Varkkey, discussions focused on integrating policy, governance, and human rights in peatland management, while addressing peatland carbon emission data and mapping. Participants collaborated to identify uncertainties and develop emission inventory methodologies, with plans to produce a comprehensive paper. To know more, you can click here.

Rebranding Biodiversity Credits as 'Nature Assets' Could Boost Corporate Demand

ERA Brazil, a biodiversity and carbon developer, plans to rebrand biodiversity credits as 'nature assets' to attract corporate investment. CEO Hannah Simmons believes this shift will make companies more likely to fund restoration projects. ERA is piloting this approach in a 50,600-hectare project in Pantanal, Brazil, and has pre-sold $30,000 worth of credits to individuals. The company will update its methodology in January 2025 to offer more flexibility for landholders. Pricing remains a challenge, with biodiversity credit values varying widely. The rebranding may be announced at COP16, where finance will be a key focus. To know more, you can click here.

Australia to release the new national ecosystem accounts in 2025

The Australian Bureau of Statistics will launch the National Ecosystem Accounts in early 2025, in partnership with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water. This framework will assess Australia’s ecosystems, focusing on natural capital and its economic contributions. Based on the UN’s System of Environmental-Economic Accounting, it will provide data on ecosystem assets and their benefits, initially covering agricultural biomass, water, and carbon sequestration. The initiative aims to provide insights into environmental change and its economic impacts, although a study indicates that the monetary value of ecosystem services has often been underestimated.To learn more, you can click here.

New toolkit assists investors in managing nature-related risks and opportunities

The Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) has launched a Nature Investor Toolkit to guide investors on nature-related risks and opportunities, emphasizing stewardship and policy. Guy Williams from Pollination highlighted that all investments impact nature, as global GDP relies on ecosystems. The toolkit categorizes investments as nature-aligned, nature-positive, and transition opportunities. Australia’s Nature Repair Act 2023 will create a national voluntary biodiversity credit market in January 2025, potentially inspiring global initiatives. However, the complexity of nature markets calls for cautious investment, with companies urged to mitigate biodiversity impacts. Three Australian firms recently received approval for their reef credits method. To learn more, click here.

Although biodiversity finance grew ahead of COP16 but mostly are loans

Global biodiversity funding reached $25.8 billion in 2022, the highest since 2015, driven mainly by loans from multilateral institutions, according to the recent OECD report. Average annual funding from 2015 to 2022 was $15.5 billion, a 136% increase since 2015. Loans accounted for 70% of this funding, with significant regional disparities. An ODI analysis showed that only two of 28 wealthy nations met their fair share for biodiversity funding. Click here to learn more.

Study finds that subsidies harming the environment cost the world $2.6 trillion annually

A new report shows that global spending on environmentally harmful subsidies has reached $2.6 trillion annually, hindering progress towards climate and biodiversity goals. This amount has increased by $800 billion since 2022 due to the war in Ukraine. Experts say that these funds should be redirected for the benefit of people and nature, as agreed by governments at COP15. However, many governments are unaware of the scale of these subsidies, and reform efforts often face public opposition. Activists stress that addressing these subsidies is crucial for achieving the goals of the UN biodiversity agreement. Click here and here to learn more.