Richard Tipper MBE, FRSA’s Post

Important foundation for the emerging biocredit market. The biodiversity market has great opportunities for innovation and inclusiveness. A common languaje is critical for a healthy start.

🌿On International Day for Biodiversity, the Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA) is publishing its highly awaited 'Definition of a Biodiversity Credit' Issue Paper #3. You can download the paper here: https://lnkd.in/evDScNCY Launched today at the Biodiversity Day Celebration 2024 in Geneva, this pivotal issue paper contributes to the clarification of concepts and language which are instrumental in the process of developing an inclusive and high-integrity market in biodiversity credits. In the rapidly emerging world of ecological units and markets, all stakeholders need to speak the same language. This issue paper brings together many perspectives to present an inclusive but clear definition that sets minimum standards for biodiversity credits and projects associated with them. In lockstep with this release, we’re happy to launch our updated website, featuring a useful FAQ section to help you navigate the various aspects of the biodiversity credit market. See more here: https://lnkd.in/ekKMKzPe #biodiversitycredits #naturefinance #InternationalDayforBiologicalDiversity

What’s a “biodiversity credit”? 🦎🦜🌵🌴 Well, the team at Biodiversity Credit Alliance have shared their latest Issue Paper helping answer that question. Great and meaningful work all! 🦎🦜🌵🌴 #biodiversitycredit #naturecredits #sustainablefinance

Any attempt to quantify or commoditize nature, or “translate’ it into values of any other variable will drastically fall short of describing nature in full. However, finding helpful standards on nature-related variables is necessary, as without them, we won’t be able to work with nature-related variables in the economic system, nor in the legal system. Good to take notice of the work done on defining standards for biodiversity credits, for inspiration and for further elaboration.

Last week, to mark #InternationalBiologicalDiversityDay 🌍, the Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA) published its highly awaited 'Definition of a Biodiversity Credit' Issue Paper #3. This is an important step towards developing a robust market for biodiversity credits which, like the voluntary carbon offset market, enables critical investments in preserving and enhancing the world’s natural assets. BCA has defined a biodiversity credit as “a certificate that represents a measured and evidence-based unit of positive biodiversity outcome that is durable and additional to what would have otherwise occurred.” At African Bamboo we encourage widespread adoption of this definition since it is rooted in a mutual understanding among project developers, investors, and local communities that such initiatives must be quantifiable and additional. At the same time, the Fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-4) has now wrapped up, having been held within the same room at the UN headquarters in Nairobi where exactly 32 years ago, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was adopted. These important proceedings further global efforts to establish and resource national biodiversity standards and action plans. Both the BCA paper and the SBI-4 meetings seek to provide guidance and policies around addressing the mobilization of resources and financial mechanisms to close the climate finance gap, protect biological diversity and establish eco credits within new markets with the collaboration and involvement of indigenous people and local communities 👩🏾🌾 who are the most impacted by the nature crisis. ✔️ In embracing the call to #BePartofthePlan, African Bamboo is pioneering CCB credits (Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Standards) certification across our agroforestry operation sites in Ethiopia. Our CCB credit project not only focuses on regenerating the native forest ecosystem lost to deforestation in the region but also aims to incorporate biodiversity co-benefits through CCB accreditation. ✔️ This certification supports the conservation of endangered and endemic species within the Bale Afromontane ecosystem and provides 50% premiums on credit prices relative to carbon projects that do not adhere to the certification, allowing for higher benefit share and incentivization for the community thus doubling the gross monthly income for agricultural communities participating in the project. To learn more about the wildlife found across our project sites, read here: https://lnkd.in/gevT5CXy #biodiversity #CCB #biodiversitycredits #climate #naturefinance

#BiodiversityCreditAlliance marked this International Day of Biological Diversity with three launches: 1. A much-awaited Issue Paper No. 3: Definition of a Biodiversity Credit https://lnkd.in/evDScNCY; 2. A detailed FAQs on biodiversity credits; and  3. An updated and expanded website https://lnkd.in/dZcijjxE On the issue paper, it is worth highlighting that BCA established the Working Group on “Definition of a Biodiversity Credit” recognizing early on the importance of a broad and unified understanding in the rapidly changing world of ecological units and nature markets. This was initially intended to be BCA's first Issue Paper. However, due to a wide variety of divergent but legitimate views, further extensive consultations were required in order to reach consensus. As a result, the issue paper “Definition of a Biodiversity Credit” is the third in the series.    The issue paper was produced by incorporating voices and viewpoints from diverse key stakeholders including those of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities through the Communities Advisory Panel.    BCA believes that this definition of a biodiversity credit and its associated attributes will help build a reliable and trustworthy market that generates positive outcomes for nature. It should form the basis for ongoing conversation and a strong foundation upon which to build further. #internationalbiodiversityday #biodiversity #biodiversitycredit #undp #unepfi

OK here we have it! Lots of different viewpoints reflected. After much discussion and some test buys, I'm starting to recommended a unit size of 10m2 for 1yr (even if the lifetime of the project is longer) whether the projects is Conservation (stewardship), Restoration (uplift), or a Hybrid project. This is a good atomic unit to encourage fungibility in markets. A good base level price point for conservation/stewardship is about 15 cents (US). Restoration or uplift would be significantly more expensive -- a good ballpark is about 3x more with added upfront costs or 45 cents (amortized over 10 yrs) for tropical forests (much more for wetlands, etc). Hybrid approaches might be somewhere in the middle like 30 cents (e.g. assisted forest regeneration by clearing invasives). About 20% of the cost is MRV (higher MRV costs are anticipated to document uplift). There should be 50% benefit share with local communities. Thoughts my own.

On #BiodiversityDay 🌲 🐝 🐞 ☘ , the BCA published the awaited 'Definition of Biodiversity Credits' No3, which reminds us of the vital role #innovative #financial #mechanisms play in #conservation. Biodiversity credits can mobilize new resources, engage diverse #stakeholders, and drive #impactful conservation actions globally. The framework includes several key interventions that support the definition and implementation of #biodiversitycredits: #Maintenance: Preventing changes in the structure, composition, and function of ecosystems or species populations through conservation management plans and other interventions. #AvoidedLoss: Preventing decline in biodiversity by addressing imminent threats through preservation or land designation. #Uplift: Improving biodiversity through ecological restoration and similar activities. #BiodiversityDay #Conservation #Sustainability #BiodiversityCredits #EnvironmentalImpact #FutureOfConservation #SustainableFinance

I am proud to share the latest Issue Paper on defining a "biodiversity credit" from the Biodiversity Credit Alliance. As active members of the BCA Taskforce and the working group which created this output, we at ValueNature are thrilled this essential work is complete. The paper provides a comprehensive definition of a biodiversity credit as "a certificate that represents a measured and evidence-based unit of positive biodiversity outcome that is durable and additional to what would have otherwise occurred", along with nuanced definitions for terms like "biodiversity outcome," "durability," and "additionality," essential for understanding and implementing biodiversity credits. Highlights from the Issue Paper Focus on Low-Risk Credits - Initially focusing on lower-risk credit types allows for early successes, paving the way for innovative future methodologies. Principles for Robust Credits - Emphasizing the need for evidence-based methodologies and multiple metrics to ensure credits contribute genuinely and substantially to biodiversity conservation. This paper marks a significant step towards standardized, high-integrity biodiversity credits, reflecting our commitment to a sustainable future where economic activities contribute positively to our planet’s ecological health. Dive into the full paper listed below and join us in shaping the future of biodiversity markets! #BiodiversityCredits #Sustainability #Conservation #BCA #ValueNature

🌿 Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA) has published its Issue Paper #3 "Definition of a Biodiversity Credit". Download the paper here: https://lnkd.in/evDScNCY The paper explains the key concepts and terms for developing an inclusive and highly integrated biodiversity credit market. In the rapidly evolving field of ecological units and markets, all stakeholders need to communicate effectively. This paper summarizes different perspectives to present a clear and comprehensive definition that sets minimum standards for biodiversity credits and the associated projects. The updated BCA website provides a comprehensive FAQ section to help you navigate the various aspects of the #biodiversity credit market. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dFN_u5Eu Manesh Lacoul Maxim Vergeichik