There are working examples of biodiversity credits emerging via voluntary market project developers and methodologies, as well as jurisdictional schemes. These offerings variously cover species, ecosystem and habitat credits. Project developers starting to offer credits in the voluntary space include: Savimbo, CreditNature, ValueNature, Replanet, Terrasos, Ekos, South Pole, Environment Bank, Wilderlands, CarbonZ and Orsa BesparingsskogContinue reading “How many working examples of biodiversity credit schemes are already on the market? How many are expected?”
FAQ Archives
Are biodiversity credits expected to be traded locally? Internationally?
Currently there are no secondary markets established for biodiversity credits. So far, the frontrunner biodiversity crediting programs are focused on mainly domestic markets. As there is no formal framework for international trading of biodiversity credits today and many countries maintain concerns about introducing this approach for biodiversity given the different values of biodiversity worldwide areContinue reading “Are biodiversity credits expected to be traded locally? Internationally?”
The voluntary carbon market has been criticized and faced considerable scrutiny recently. How could confidence or credibility be established in the biodiversity credit market?
The biodiversity credit market benefits from the considerable experience of the voluntary carbon market. The vast majority of actors in the VCM have been well-intentioned but governance principles were not established rapidly enough. This market is already able to learn from the introduction of safeguards, integrity principles, assessment frameworks and other measures such as grievanceContinue reading “The voluntary carbon market has been criticized and faced considerable scrutiny recently. How could confidence or credibility be established in the biodiversity credit market?”
What’s the actual or expected price per unit?
The market has not converged around a single unit. Pilot schemes differ in the credit unit, project length, area per credit, and underlying methodology, and the prices (where available) vary accordingly. For most existing schemes, pricing data is not yet available. An existing informal registry indicates that CarbonZ has three credit types on offer, whichContinue reading “What’s the actual or expected price per unit?”
What is the expected pricing structure for carbon with biodiversity benefits versus a biodiversity credit?
Carbon credits with biodiversity benefits can currently be verified according to Verra’s Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards. Credits certified by the CCB Standard receive a premium of about 30% the price of the credit. This is based on buyer willingness-to-pay, not the cost to deliver those non-carbon benefits. Biodiversity credits, on the other hand,Continue reading “What is the expected pricing structure for carbon with biodiversity benefits versus a biodiversity credit?”
Can a carbon credit and a biodiversity credit be issued from the same parcel of land?
Yes, if additionality criteria are met, as set out by the emerging standards. Initial claims guidance (soon to be released from the World Economic Forum and McKinsey & Company) will advise on how such stacked credits can support claims.
Who is expected to buy a biodiversity credit and why?
A range of actors might be interested in purchasing biodiversity credits, but they will likely be interested in different features. Many organizations with nature-related mandates or targets might find biodiversity credits an attractive vehicle to deliver verified outcomes. Environmental charities or non-governmental organizations Donors Governments Development banks Other public entities Investors Individuals Finally, the privateContinue reading “Who is expected to buy a biodiversity credit and why?”
Much of biodiversity is in the global south and/or stewarded by Indigenous Peoples and local communities who may not have secure land tenure. How will the risks of land dispossession be managed?
Indigenous Peoples’ territories contain 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity. Ensuring IPs and LCs (Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities) are engaged in the biodiversity credit market is critical both to the success of the market and the achievement of global targets like those included in the GBF. A major advantage of biodiversity credits for IPsContinue reading “Much of biodiversity is in the global south and/or stewarded by Indigenous Peoples and local communities who may not have secure land tenure. How will the risks of land dispossession be managed?”
How will topics like additionality, permanence, and risk of leakage be managed?
The biodiversity credit market benefits from decades of experience of learnings within the voluntary carbon markets as well as in biodiversity offset compliance markets. Therefore, the biodiversity credit market is able to benefit from a strong starting point in terms of designing to address these topics. Practically, these topics are being addressed by the variousContinue reading “How will topics like additionality, permanence, and risk of leakage be managed?”
How do biodiversity credits differ from payments for ecosystem services?
Payments for ecosystem services (PES) occur when the beneficiaries or users of an ecosystem service make payments to the providers of that service. In practice, this may take the form of a series of payments in return for receiving a flow of benefits or ecosystem services. The basic idea is that whoever provides a serviceContinue reading “How do biodiversity credits differ from payments for ecosystem services?”