Sustainability and carbon market news

A study published in Communications Earth & Environment on 18 March 2026 has offered the first detailed assessment of how beavers influence carbon dynamics in the landscapes they inhabit. The findings add a new dimension to the science of...

A native afforestation project designed to restore habitat for Australia’s endangered koala has secured a notable premium in its first reported carbon credit transaction. Koala calmly resting on a tree, surrounded by the lush greenery of an...

Carbon markets continue to play an important, if still emerging, role in mobilising private finance for nature-based solutions (NBS), according to a new report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), ‘State of Finance for Nature 2026: Nature in...

In a landmark development for nature-based finance, a South African grassland restoration initiative has successfully issued the world's first carbon credits to carry the Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB) label under Verra’s updated VM0042...

Meta and Microsoft have committed to purchasing nearly 1.4 million carbon removal credits from a forestry project on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, marking a significant investment in nature-based solutions. The initiative is designed to...

A groundbreaking conservation project in Mexico is on track to generate the first biodiversity credits under the BioCarbon standard. This initiative, led by Rancho La Onza and CarbonPlus, focuses on the restoration and protection of 200 hectares...

King, the company behind the popular Candy Crush game, has become the first to purchase biodiversity credits under the UK’s newly launched voluntary scheme. The company acquired 543 credits at approximately $66 (£50) per unit, supporting a nature...

Nigeria has introduced a National Elephant Action Plan (NEAP) as part of its commitment to prevent the extinction of its dwindling elephant population and to bolster wildlife conservation efforts. Two elephants roaming the diverse forests of...

In a groundbreaking development for European conservation efforts, the Transylvanian village of Apold in Romania has become the first place on the continent to implement a biodiversity credit scheme. This innovative initiative, driven by the NGO...

In a significant move to protect biodiversity, the Canadian government has announced an investment of over $12.5 million to conserve more than 1,600 hectares of land, primarily in southern Ontario. This initiative, supported through the Canada...

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) have launched a new interoperability mapping tool designed to streamline biodiversity reporting for businesses. This tool aligns TNFD Disclosure...

Suriname has announced its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), aligning with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). This comprehensive plan emphasises increased funding for conservation and restoration,...

The UK Coal Authority, tasked with managing the nation's coal mining legacy, has unveiled a nature recovery plan, aiming to integrate nature-related credits into its financial models by 2026. Wildlife photography of Puffins on Skomer Island in...

A Dubai-based fintech company, AQUAE Impact, has joined forces with Sri Lanka's Earth Restoration to issue biodiversity and oxygen credits through a pilot project in the Belipola private forest. Close-up of Barberton Daisy flowers in Belipola...

Uganda, renowned for its rich biodiversity, has launched the second phase of the Biodiversity 2030 (BIODEV2030) project, aiming to curb the alarming rate of biodiversity loss in the country. The project, supported by the French Development Agency...

Germany-based retail giant Lidl has teamed up with conservation organisation WWF to bolster biodiversity protection in its supply chain across 31 countries. This five-year initiative aims to combat upstream biodiversity loss, tackle deforestation,...

The International Carbon Registry (ICR) has launched a new Pilot Biodiversity Program to integrate biodiversity conservation with global sustainability efforts. This initiative provides a framework for projects to enhance biodiversity and offers...

France Valley, based in Paris, has announced the establishment of a €200 million ($214 million) fund dedicated to afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation (ARR) projects across Europe. CEO Arnaud Filhol shared this news, highlighting the...

A French-based developer, Fronterra, is set to introduce the first biodiversity credits from the Peruvian Amazon by the end of the year. This initiative aims to bolster conservation efforts in the Sierra del Divisor National Park. Close-up of a...

South Downs National Park has launched the UK's first voluntary biodiversity credit scheme, marking a significant step towards nature recovery through private investments. The initiative, introduced in partnership with nature tech company Earthly,...

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is establishing its first biodiversity fund, aiming to attract significant global investments. This fund will receive an initial $2.7 million from the DBSA’s Green Fund, which was initially capitalised...

A Swiss-based non-profit, NatureFinance, has released new recommendations to enhance Africa’s biodiversity credit market. These recommendations include establishing minimum price floors for credits and creating an independent body to assess project...

An Italian nature tech company, 3Bee, is set to introduce a standardised biodiversity framework by the end of this year, aiming to launch its first certified biodiversity credits in 2025 for the European voluntary market. Simone Mazzola, COO of...

A UK climate tech startup, Dendra Systems, has successfully raised $15.7 million in Series B funding to enhance its AI-driven platform aimed at restoring ecosystems. Announced in early May, the Oxford-headquartered company secured this latest round...

The European Union has been encouraged to amplify efforts in developing a biodiversity credit market, which could significantly drive investments towards biodiversity-rich, low, and middle-income countries (LMICs). This recommendation comes from the...

In a significant move towards ecological preservation, two German companies have recently invested in the country's inaugural biodiversity credits. The fintech firm Wundertax and children's product maker Emma & Noah acquired around 20,000 credits...

A newly inaugurated project, financed by the European Union, is set to expedite the integration of biodiversity strategies within corporate and governmental sectors across Europe. Named A-Track, the project boasts an €11-million budget and is part...

A recent study, led by researchers including Jamie Carr from the University of York, underscores the success of conservation measures in reversing biodiversity loss. Published in Science, this groundbreaking research consolidates evidence from...

In a remarkable stride toward biodiversity conservation, Regen Network has successfully sold a significant portion of its biodiversity credits, specifically designed for jaguar preservation in Ecuador. This initiative spans across a lush...

The UK government has earmarked $31 (£25) million to rejuvenate natural habitats, covering an expanse as vast as the city of York. This financial injection will bolster 20 initiatives dedicated to the revival of various ecosystems, including...

A recent study has revealed that governments have been significantly underestimating the financial value of nature's ecosystem services by as much as 180%. Led by a University of Hamburg academic and published in Science, the research proposes a...

DGB Group, a leading nature-based project developer, announced the upcoming launch of its biodiversity credit pilot project in Australia and a plastic credit initiative in Sri Lanka, marking significant milestones in its journey towards...

In a landmark decision, the European Union has committed to reviving its natural landscapes and marine areas with a new law mandating the restoration of 20% of its territory by 2030. The legislation, which received backing from the EU Parliament,...

The US Department of Interior has unveiled a substantial commitment of $157 million for ecosystem restoration projects, aligning with the goals of President Joe Biden's Investing in America agenda. This funding is directed towards nationwide...

In a pivotal moment at the 54th World Economic Forum in Davos that took place between 15 and 19 January, the environmental agenda took centre stage alongside geopolitical discussions, marking a significant shift in corporate and financial sectors'...

The 27th UN Climate Conference (also known as COP27) occurred in November in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. During the conference, Belize, a Caribbean country took center stage. Belize announced the emission of carbon credits of up to $100 million to...

In a recent survey conducted by the UN-backed Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA), companies have identified nature targets as a pivotal driver in the demand for biodiversity credits. Rated nearly four out of five in importance, companies see the...

The World Economic Forum (WEF) predicts the demand for biodiversity credits soaring to $180 billion annually by 2050. According to a recent WEF report, a radical transformation in valuing nature could propel demand to $7 billion per year by 2030,...

In a significant move to bolster biodiversity conservation, Malaysia is set to roll out its comprehensive National Policy on Biological Diversity 2022–2030. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised the importance of aligning state-level...

Asset managers are addressing the pressing issue of corporate harm to nature and biodiversity. With growing investor concern due to recent environmental instability and crises, companies like Allianz Global Investors and T Rowe Price are pioneering...

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is gearing up to launch a groundbreaking buyers club for biodiversity credits in early 2024. Several major companies are showing interest in becoming early participants, and a pilot auction is planned for an...

The Carpathian Convention celebrated its 20th anniversary with the adoption of the Carpathian Biodiversity Framework during the seventh Conference of the Parties (COP7), a pivotal event hosted in Belgrade, Serbia. The Carpathian Convention, founded...

Companies are undergoing a profound transformation in their approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies. This evolution is driven by the growing importance of nature-related factors in response to regulatory changes aimed at...

The World Biodiversity Summit 2023, held in New York during Climate Week NYC and the UN General Assembly, convened a diverse and motivated crowd. This event, building on last year's success, solidified itself as a global cross-sector gathering...

The United Kingdom government has unveiled its roadmap for upcoming legislation aimed at making new housing, commercial, and infrastructure developments nature positive. The formal announcement confirms that the legislation, known as Biodiversity...

Investors overseeing an impressive $23.6 trillion of funds have launched a concerted effort to push 100 companies to step up their efforts in combatting biodiversity loss. A collective effort by Axa Investment Managers, Robeco, the Church...

The Environment Bank takes a pioneering leap in promoting corporate environmental responsibility by introducing biodiversity credits as its newest natural capital asset class. This innovative approach encourages businesses to invest in nature...

Project Beehive represents a unique and sustainable initiative in Kenya developed by Corekees. The project aims to promote biodiversity, empower local farmers, and contribute to the preservation of bees. Corekees team and local farmers checking...

Amazon, the global e-commerce giant, has pledged $3 million towards nature-based projects in India as part of its $15 million fund allocated for projects in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. The collaboration with the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS)...

In a significant move towards addressing global biodiversity loss, the UK government has pledged £10 million to the newly established Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF). This announcement was made during Canada's Global Environment Facility...

The Global Environment Facility’s Seventh Assembly witnessed an exceptional demonstration of international collaboration as representatives from 185 countries came together to address the urgent need for safeguarding global biodiversity. The...

In a dynamic shift towards addressing environmental challenges, S&P Global's Sustainable1 has unveiled a groundbreaking approach to environmental investment. With a heightened focus on nature and biodiversity risks in the business world and a surge...

In an effort to protect natural spaces from the encroachment of urbanisation in Singapore, Ashley Welch, a biodiversity specialist, has introduced the Singapore Biodiversity Accounting Metric. Developed in collaboration with Aecom and Camphora over...

In a groundbreaking shift in environmental policy, the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) framework has been set in motion to safeguard nature during development projects. Starting 11 November 11 2023, most developments in the United Kingdom must...

A collaborative report by the African Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA) and management consulting firm Oliver Wyman has underscored the growing importance of African regulators taking action on nature-related risks in line with their mandate to...

Plan Vivo plans to introduce a biodiversity credit protocol with scientific credibility, accessible to communities, and scalable globally. Toral Shah, the biodiversity coordinator at Plan Vivo Foundation, shared that the draft protocol has undergone...

In a significant leap towards environmental preservation, the European Union has adopted a groundbreaking Nature Restoration Law, signalling a paradigm shift in the fight against biodiversity loss and climate change. This comprehensive law, the...

The New Zealand government has introduced a comprehensive package of measures to safeguard native wildlife and habitats at risk. Led by the Minister for Climate Change and Associate Minister for the Environment, James Shaw, these initiatives are...

In a recent report titled Sustaining insect biodiversity in agricultural systems to ensure future food security, the urgent need to preserve insect biodiversity for food security is emphasised. The report highlights the alarming decline of insect...

The urgent need to reverse the environmental damage caused by decades of human activity has prompted asset manager Fidelity International to call for a significant shift in capital towards biodiversity conservation. Velislava Dimitrova, a...

South Africa has taken a significant step toward safeguarding its biodiversity by publishing and implementing the country's first National Biodiversity Offset Guideline. The Guideline, released by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the...

French State Minister for Ecology, Bérangère Couillard, and UK’s Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Thérèse Coffey, have jointly launched a Global Biodiversity Credits Roadmap aimed at enabling companies to contribute to...

Recent research carried out by the European Environment Agency has highlighted that the food, construction, energy, and textile sectors are responsible for about 90% of the pressure on global biodiversity. To address this issue, the concept of a...

Biodiversity loss poses a significant challenge to humanity. In response, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and adelphi, a Berlin-based think-tank, have released a Strategy Paper that focuses on strengthening cooperation to...

India's groundbreaking Project Tiger, designed to rescue the country's iconic big cat from the brink of extinction, has marked its 50th anniversary in 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India now hosts over 3,000 tigers, representing...

In a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers have shed light on the significant impact of food production on biodiversity losses, with certain staple commodities playing a major role. The study, led...

A set of groundbreaking guidelines has been introduced by the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) to assist companies in placing nature conservation at the forefront of their operations. The SBTN, in collaboration with 17 pilot companies, including...

According to groundbreaking research conducted by Queen's University Belfast (QUB), almost half of Earth's animal species are currently in decline. The study, led by PhD student Catherine Finn and Dr Daniel Pincheira-Donoso from the School of...

The biodiversity market, a rapidly expanding sector, should have more flexibility in measuring and reporting its impact, according to a senior member of Verra, a standard-setting organisation, as reported by Carbon Pulse. Comparing it to the...

A recent report from ShareAction emphasises the urgent need to reduce agrochemical use to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. The nonprofit organisation calls on the financial sector to reassess its investment practices in pesticide companies as a...

A recent study conducted in Canada's National Forest Inventory reveals that maintaining diverse forests leads to increased carbon and nitrogen accumulation in the soil, which sustains soil fertility and advances climate resilience. View from above...

In a significant development, Finnish scientists have introduced a pilot project toolkit designed to help companies evaluate their impact on biodiversity, commonly referred to as their ‘biodiversity footprint.’ Collaborating on the project were the...

Protecting and restoring the planet's delicate natural resources comes at a price, but it's far less costly than the alternative. Research conducted by BloombergNEF reveals that financing explicitly for safeguarding biodiversity currently amounts to...

Ecuador has successfully closed its largest ‘debt-for-nature’ exchange, securing $12 million annually for the conservation of the Galapagos Islands, renowned for their unique ecosystems. The country recently repurchased approximately $1.6 billion of...

S&P Global Sustainable1 has introduced Nature & Biodiversity Risk, a groundbreaking dataset that evaluates the impact of nature-related risks and dependencies on companies' direct operations. The dataset covers over 17,000 companies and more than...

Red Sea Global, the visionary developer behind two exceptional regenerative tourism projects, The Red Sea and Amaala, has recently published the results of an extensive environmental survey. This survey, one of the largest of its kind conducted by a...

The United Kingdom government announced new funding for large-scale projects to address nature loss and strengthen biodiversity recovery in the UK Overseas Territories. The Darwin Plus Strategic Fund will support projects worth up to £3 million...

Robeco, a global asset management firm, has released the results of its annual global survey, which included 300 of the world’s largest institutional and wholesale investors. According to the survey results, the number of investors who believe that...

A global coalition of investors, including Canada’s Desjardins, Fondaction, Manulife, and Vancity, released a report highlighting the impact of some of the world's largest companies on biodiversity. The pilot study of the MSCI World Index was...

Qatar's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, H E Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali Al Thani, emphasised the country's commitment to preserving biodiversity and protecting endangered species, including the hawksbill sea turtle. This...

The Australian government introduced a new Nature Repair Bill to parliament, which will issue tradable certificates to landholders who undertake activities to increase biodiversity and repair the environment. These certificates will be tracked on a...

A new study has shown that infrastructure development poses a significant threat to biodiversity and the habitats it depends on. Infrastructure, including residential and commercial development, transport, energy production, mining, and dams, is...

New data released by climate disclosure organisation CDP shows that only 41% of companies that report to them track value chain emissions, and even fewer are aware of their impact on nature. This percentage is surprisingly low given the wide-ranging...

New Forests, a global forestry investment company, started measuring biodiversity baselines across its assets in anticipation of emerging nature markets. Fairy ink cap fungi, Coprinellus, growing on a moss-covered fallen tree in temperate...

The Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA) has significant potential to perform a crucial role to the cross-stakeholder Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (IC-VCM). According to speakers at the Corporate Investments in Forestry and...

South Africa launched a new initiative that could be invaluable to researchers and scientists worldwide. The Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa (BBSA) has been created to coordinate and manage up to a million biological samples collected over the...

Colombia announced the creation of a new agency focused on climate action, which will determine the exact values of carbon absorbed by ecosystems and manage responsible carbon credits. The agency will also evaluate environmental conditions from...

Biodiversity insurance hypothesis means that species diversity in a given ecosystem makes the ecosystem more resilient. Now, there is proof for this hypothesis in wild bee populations and their role as pollinators. The study examined wild bee...

Australia rejected a plan to build a new coal mine close to the Great Barrier Reef just off the coast of central Queensland. The announcement follows a public outcry over possible threats to the reef, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage...

In the degraded mountainous slopes of South Taiwan, Professor Tzen-Yuh Chiang's team aims to promote habitat recovery through microbial farming. Microbial farming is a sustainable farming method that uses microorganisms to restore habitats, promote...

The global carbon market has grown significantly in recent years, with the value of traded carbon permits hitting a record high of $909 billion in 2021. Despite a 20% decrease in the volume of permits traded, the market value rose by 14% due to...

On 19 December 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted during the United Nations (UN) Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) in Montreal, Canada. More than 190 countries agreed on goals to protect nature. Nations finally...

Funga is a fast-growing carbon removal company that uses forest fungi to capture carbon. The Texas-based company raised $4 million in seed funding to bring its technology out of the lab and into the forests. The funding round was led by Azolla...

New Zealand’s government will contribute for lower-income families to replace fuel cars with hybrid or electric vehicles. As part of a sweeping plan, Wellington will spend 569 million New Zealand dollars ($357 million) on the trial program. The...

Fastned, a European fast charging stations company, opened subscriptions to new bonds being issued, at EUR 1,000 per bond, with 5% annual interest. The proceeds of the bonds will be utilised for the expansion of Fastned’s fast-charging network and...

During the last few centuries, the forest cover of Ireland went down to just 1% in 1929 from 80% initially. Indeed, human beings have proved to be cruel when it comes to trees! However, the nation has been able to increase its forest cover since...