Malaysia listed 106th on 2024 Nature Conservation Index

Malaysia is 106th out of 180 in the 2024 Nature Conservation Index, scoring 54.32. It excels in land management (55) and governance (66), but struggles with climate change mitigation (40). Among Southeast Asian nations, Malaysia is third, outperformed by Thailand and Brunei. The report identifies threats to biodiversity from land development, pollution, and invasive species impacting agriculture. Numerous species face threats, leading to a National Action Plan for invasive species and biodiversity conservation. The index uses 25 indicators on protected areas, at-risk species, and legislation. Click here to learn more.

EFT allocation criteria will be improved in response to CSO's inquiries

The Malaysian government will allocate RM250 million for the Ecological Fiscal Transfer in 2025 to enhance forest conservation. RM80 million is added for biodiversity protection and patrolling. Anwar Ibrahim announced the funding increase to support wildlife and forest protection, also expanding the Orang Asli ranger program. NGOs PEKA and SAM support the increase but express concerns about state-level impact. They call for transparency and criticize insufficient support for human-wildlife conflict solutions and climate change education. To learn more, you can click here.

Using AI for smarter land governance

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor urged surveyors to use AI for sustainable land governance. He noted AI's role in housing policy, urban planning, and monitoring land use, illegal activities, and environmental impacts. AI can also help conserve biodiversity by tracking wildlife and ecosystems. The aim is to balance development, environmental protection, and social equity for future generations. Click here to learn more.

Malaysia Takes Steps to Address Climate Change

Malaysians can provide feedback on the draft climate change bill until November 4. The bill, backed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, seeks to legislate commitments under the Paris Agreement and address extreme weather and community rights. Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad emphasized a flexible legislative framework. Discussions continue enhancing the Environmental Quality Act and potentially enshrining environmental rights in the constitution. The national adaptation plan, due by 2026, aims to tackle climate impacts like floods and agricultural challenges, though funding is a concern after a $3 million Green Climate Fund grant. To know more, you can click here.

Sarawak Forestry cancelled the international flagship conservation project 

International donors were surprised when the Sarawak Forest Department cancelled a $1.4 million conservation project for the Upper Baram Forest Area, initially meant to preserve 79,000 hectares as Baram Peace Park. The focus shifted to forest exploitation, leading to a new concession for a local timber company, sparking community conflicts. Civil society groups criticized the lack of inclusivity and transparency, marking a setback for the International Tropical Timber Organization. To know more, you can click here.

Biodiversity investments drop, solutions funds thrive in 2024

A report by Morningstar Sustainalytics shows that in 2024, only funds targeting biodiversity loss solutions are attracting new capital, contrasting with the sector's overall decline. The broader biodiversity fund market dropped from over $1.2 billion in 2022-2023 to negative $100 million in early 2024. Despite this, assets have more than doubled to $3.7 billion in three years, though the market is still small compared to climate funds. Biodiversity funds have underperformed other ESG investments since 2021, with growth hindered by insufficient data and metrics.To know more, you can click here.

Organic Carbon Contributions in Mangrove Sediments: A Global Analysis

The study examines the global contributions of autochthonous and allochthonous organic carbon (OC) in mangrove sediments using stable isotope analysis. Autochthonous OC dominates, with 49% in estuarine and 62% in marine environments. Terrestrial allochthonous OC is higher in estuarine sediments (30%) than marine (21%). Estuarine mangroves accumulate more soil organic carbon per unit area, while marine mangroves store 67% of the global SOC. The study highlights the human impact on mangrove carbon dynamics and the need for balancing OC sources for effective carbon management. Further research is recommended. To learn more, you can click here.

Thailand’s Mangrove Restoration Plans Raise Hopes and Concerns

Thailand's mangrove restoration struggles with mass planting over strategic methods. Critics urge ecological approaches and natural regeneration. The Thailand Mangrove Alliance targets 30% governance by 2030, but carbon credits raise concerns about privatizing public forests, needing careful community impact assessment. To learn more, click here.

Banks Want To Monetise Biodiversity

Major banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Standard Chartered, will attend the UN COP16 biodiversity summit in Colombia, highlighting increased interest in monetizing biodiversity. The UN calls for more private finance to address species extinction and environmental degradation, as current funding falls short. The summit will assess progress on the Global Biodiversity Framework, which requires an additional $700 billion annually. While debt-for-nature swaps show growth potential, the biodiversity market is still limited and unstructured. To address regulatory scrutiny, banks are creating roles to integrate biodiversity and find investment opportunities. Click here to learn more.

Ninety One has launched the Sovereign Biodiversity Index

UK-based Ninety One launched the Sovereign Biodiversity Index to help investors assess nature-related risks affecting economic performance, especially in resource-dependent emerging markets. Managing over £128 billion, Ninety One stresses the need for a tool to evaluate government policy impacts on biodiversity. Covering 116 countries, the index focuses on nature quality and deforestation. It shows European nations rank high while Venezuela and the Philippines face challenges. The index aids investors in finding biodiversity-friendly countries and promotes government engagement. Click here to learn more.