N4C Weekly Briefing
1 - 8 March 2023
|
|
We encourage you to forward this newsletter to your colleagues and if you were forwarded this email and wish to subscribe please use the button below.
|
|
If a tree doesn’t fall in a forest, should Gabon get paid?
Financial Times, Kenza Bryan, 6 March
Financial Times reports on the "Redd.plus" initiative of the NGO Coalition for Rainforest Nations, in collaboration with S&P Global’s IHS Markit. Analysts have warned that this lacks formal safeguards or transparency on how funds would be distributed, and that it has received low levels of market interest.
French President Emmanuel Macron pledged $53 million for forest conservation at the One Forest Summit in Libreville, Gabon last week. France plans to put the initial cash towards a nature protection deal with at least one biodiversity-rich country before December’s global climate summit in Dubai. E&E News, Reuters, and Carbon Pulse all cover the summit. Bloomberg and GreenBiz both dive further into the issue of providing financial support for governments to keep their long-standing forests protected and resist the temptation to exploit their resources.
Associated Press reports that US special climate envoy John Kerry's visit to Brazil strengthened US commitment to work with Brazil on protecting forests, but revealed no new details on how the nations will work together. The Economist notes that saving rainforests from deforestation is a bargain deal compared to runaway climate change and other climate solutions. The Economist also reveals that the biggest threat to forests is lawlessness as criminal enterprises for gold, timber, and agricultural commodities is the motivation for most deforestation.
|
|
Biden and Lula want to save the Amazon. Will the private sector answer their call? [Commentary]
Reuters, Natalie Unterstell, Karen Oseland and Kyle Saukas, 2 March
Reuters shares an opinion piece that details how the private sector can align with presidents Biden and Lula to prevent deforestation and the economic risks of nature loss. ESG Investor carries a piece from Dr. Rebecca Drury of Chronos Sustainability who explains why investor action is critical to global biodiversity goals on the exploitation of wild species. BusinessGreen shares an article from Amber Rudd, director of Pinwheel, stating under-priced offsets are dangerous for the planet and for corporate reputations. Reuters publishes a commentary piece from Lucy Thomas, Head of Sustainable Investing for UBS Asset Management, warning investors that if they fail to think about how asset allocation decisions impact nature and climate they won’t be able to secure the future financial returns they depend on. World Economic Forum delivers a post from Sharon Thorne, Global Chair at Deloitte, and Elizabeth Mrema, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, detailing why it's time to make your business nature positive. Deutsche Welle, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and 39 other media partners report that many certifiers of sustainable forest products failed to report violations linked to Indigenous rights abuses, illegal logging and unsustainable deforestation.
BusinessGreen asks if the new Nature Positive Business Pledge signed by UK corporations could lead to the private sector playing an integral role in reversing the decline in global biodiversity. GreenBiz shares insights from their GreenBiz23 event where it was clear to attendees that climate change's impact on nature is affecting businesses today. Edie covers the growth of nature and adaptation considerations for corporate net-zero transition standards.
|
|
US firm to bid to turn DRC oil permits in Virunga park into conservation projects
The Guardian, Patrick Greenfield, 1 March
The Guardian reports that a New York investment firm, EQX Biome, is to launch a $400 million bid for oil concessions in the Congo basin rainforest and Virunga national park with plans to turn them into conservation projects. EQX Biome has sent an expression of interest to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) government for 27 oil exploration blocks put up for auction last July, some of which are in critical ecosystems. Quantum Commodity Intelligence shares an interview with EQX Biome's CEO Matthias Pitkowitz who says the company will look to sell carbon and biodiversity credits generated by the projects that would avoid damage done by the oil exploration.
|
|
Nations reach accord to protect marine life on high seas
Associated Press, Christina Larson and Patrick Whittle, 5 March
The Associated Press reports United Nations members have agreed on a unified treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas - representing a turning point for vast stretches of the planet where conservation has previously been hampered by a confusing patchwork of laws. An updated framework to protect marine life in the regions outside national boundary waters, known as the high seas, had been in discussions for more than 20 years, but previous efforts to reach an agreement had repeatedly stalled. The new treaty will create a body to manage conservation of ocean life and establish marine protected areas in the high seas. The Washington Post digs into whether the US Senate will ratify the new ocean treaty allowing the nation to fully participate in the implementation of the deal. BBC, CNN, NPR, Axios, The New York Times and The Guardian all cover the signing of the treaty as well.
|
|
Wildfires in boreal forests release record levels of carbon, satellite study shows
Financial Times, Clive Cookson, 2 March
Financial Times covers a new study that finds wildfires in the boreal forests that ring the globe’s far northern latitudes are emitting rapidly increasing amounts of carbon dioxide. Burning boreal forests across Eurasia and North America in 2021 released a record 1.76 billion tonnes of CO₂ — representing 23 percent of the world’s entire CO₂ emissions from fire. The study shows fires and emissions in boreal forests are increasing. While tropical forest fires have traditionally attracted much attention, as a result of deforestation, boreal forests were relatively overlooked according to researchers. E&E News, New Scientist, The Independent, and Grist all cover the study.
The Guardian shares a study that finds a clear correlation between deforestation and local rainfall. The study found that the more rainforests are cleared in tropical countries, the less local farmers will be able to depend on rain for their crops and pastures.
|
|
A FRESH PERSPECTIVE
We are working to use this platform to share more diverse voices and perspectives in the global discourse around NCS. As part of this effort we are starting a new section in the newsletter that will highlight opinions and messages from stakeholders not normally covered in major media outlets. If you see an interesting perspective that you think more people should hear, please share it with us. Opinions shared do not necessarily represent the views of Nature4Climate.
Conservation law takes a step forward in Indonesia
Eco-Business, Noviar Andayani, 6 March
"The more people can be engaged in conservation efforts, the closer we can get to sustaining the planet’s support system for biodiversity and humanity."
|
|
|
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Trillion Trees publishes its 2022 Impact Report. Trillion Trees has committed to bringing 20 million hectares of forest landscapes into high-quality restoration. This report pivots from headline numbers (83.2 million hectares put into protection and restoration since inception, and 38.6 billion trees protected and restored) to highlight the benefits fo the work and results on the ground in protection and restoration - for people, for biodiversity and the climate.
--
Conservation International shares a response to a recent New York Times story claiming that carbon offsets don't provide a climate benefit by refuting its claims with science and facts of how carbon markets work.
--
Food Nature Climate Dialogue releases two RFPs for communications support: Media relations in key forest countries in Latin America and English language international media relations in key Asian media markets.
--
WRI shares a summary for policymakers Implications for the Private Sector of Non-Carbon Effects of Tropical Deforestation. The summary shares what the private sector needs to know about the latest science on the impacts of forests’ non-carbon effects on climate stability, how this knowledge should inform ongoing private sector action to curb deforestation, and how to accelerate private sector action to reduce deforestation-related climate risk.
|
|
|
|
This Kiwa Initiative project will implement integrated watershed management (IWM) in targeted linked watershed-coral reef areas. This will improve biodiversity, climate resilience, and human health, while providing a model for managing systems health for the Pacific based in decision-support tools, long-term sustainable financing, and effective public policy. It will also facilitate investment in nature-based solutions for drinking water, sanitation, and wastewater. It also aims to use lessons learned to influence policy decisions. This implementation is designed to directly benefit 5,806 landowners (largely indigenous peoples) in the target regions.
N4C is compiling an index of NBS case studies, together with an interactive map, to highlight action on the ground. Each week, we will be choosing a case study to present, to help give concrete examples of work being done to bring NBS theory into practice.
|
|
New satellite analysis shows wildfires in boreal forests were the source of 23 percent of all emissions from fire in 2021. The study shows fires and emissions in boreal forests are increasing.
|
|
NATURE JOBS/OPPORTUNITIES
In this section, we'll be posting NBS-related jobs as a service to the community. If you have an opportunity you'd like featured in the newsletter, please send the details to us.
- Climate-Related Risk Senior Associate - Climate Advisers
- Business Development Manager - Nature Metrics
- Marketing Manager - WILDCOAST
- Associate Director - WILDCOAST
- Greenhouse Gas Protocol - Corporate Standard Manager - World Resources Institute
- Greenhouse Gas Protocol - Scope 3 Manager - World Resources Institute
- Environmental Multimedia Journalist - Sachamama
- Organizing Manager - Sachamama
- Content Marketing Manager - Outdoor Industry Association
- Fund Development Coordinator - Outdoor Industry Association
- Associate Vice President, Climate Smart Agriculture - Environmental Defense Fund
- Sr. Communications Specialist, Climate & Agriculture - Environmental Defense Fund
- Senior Manager, Food & Forests - Ceres
- Manager, Food and Forests Program - Ceres
- Director, Nature Action 100 Secretariat - Ceres
- Associate Director, Energy and Environment - Center for American Progress
- Senior Brand Manager, Urban Forestry and Environmental Justice - American Forests
- Senior Manager, Urban Forests Policy - American Forests
- Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP) - Account Coordinator - American Forest Foundation
- Midwest Program Manager - American Farmland Trust
- Community Engagement Program Manager - Friends of the Urban Forest
- Communications and Events Coordinator, Food and Land Use Coalition - World Resources Institute
- Director for Innovative Finance, Forests & Climate Change - Wildlife Conservation Society
- Research Assistants - Global Canopy
- Communications Director, American Carbon Registry - Winrock International
- Regenerative Agriculture Manager - Better Cotton
- Senior Consultant: ESG and Finance - Greenhouse
- Associate, Forest Solutions Group - World Business Council for Sustainable Development
- Senior Program Manager, Landscape Conservation and Energy Policy - National Parks Conservation Association
- Communications Specialist, People & Nature - EDF
- Senior Regional Campaign Strategist (Legal and Political) - Greenpeace SEA
- Program Officer, Colombia & Peru Initiative - Climate and Land Use Alliance
- Director of Forest Carbon and Climate Program - Michigan State University
|
|
|
Finding the newsletter useful? Subscribe or share with a friend to grow our community!
|
|
Media Round-Up
Conservation
Manchin indicates opposition to Biden lands nominee over internal memo
The Hill, Rachel Frazin, 3 March
Some good news: Wetlands are doing way better than we thought
The Nature, Beat, Gabriel Popkin, 7 March
Australian philanthropy group commits A$240 mln to ocean conservation, R&D efforts
Carbon Pulse, Mark Tilly, 2 March
Britain designates three highly protected marine areas
UPI, Sheri Walsh, 28 February
Asian investor group launches deforestation initiative
Carbon Pulse, Stian Reklev, 28 February
Reducing deforestation by 75% would help regulate global temperatures
La República, Valentina Sánchez Gutiérrez, 5 March
The Next Deadly Pandemic Is Just a Forest Clearing Away
ProPublica, Caroline Chen, Irena Hwang and Al Shaw, 27 February
Investment will flow from nature-related disclosures, says Glen
Pinsent Masons, Fiona Ross, 24 February
WDFW, DNR award $14 million for projects that preserve and restore Puget Sound habitat
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, 27 February
Minister Duclos announces $20M for SOCODEVI to support climate adaptation in Senegal
Relief Web, 24 February
CSAA Insurance Group Invests $25M in New California Wildfire Innovation Fund
Business Wire, 22 February
Countries are relying on forests and soil to absorb their remaining carbon – it’s a risky way to reach net zero [Commentary]
The Conversation, Harry Smith, Johanna Forster, Naomi Vaughan, 6 March
Indigenous and Local Communities
Indigenous Comcaac serve up an oceanic grain to preserve seagrass meadows
Mongabay, Astrid Arellano, 3 March
Yanomami crisis sparks action against illegal gold in the Amazon
Mongabay, André Schröder, 28 February
Indigenous paths lead to a green, healthy food system commentary
Context, Matthew Wilson, 2 March
Land tenure security could help stem Amazon deforestation: paper
Quantum Commodity Intelligence, 2 March
Without regulation, mining in Indigenous Lands occupies an area larger than Rio de Janeiro
UOL, Carlos Madeiro, 2 March
‘A war society doesn’t see’: the Brazilian force driving out mining gangs from Indigenous lands
The Guardian, Tom Phillips, 28 February
Eduardo Mendúa, Ecuadorian Who Fought Oil Extraction on Indigenous Land, Is Shot to Death
Inside Climate News, Katie Surma, 28 February
Carbon Markets
Attacking carbon projects distracts from real corporate accountability on climate change [Commentary]
ESG Clarity, Carolyn Ching, 3 March
More rigour needed for some Article 6 forest finance: paper
Quantum Commodity Intelligence, 2 March
Indonesia receives initial payment from World Bank forest fund
Quantum Commodity Intelligence, 2 March
US startup releases validation paper for forest carbon
Quantum Commodity Intelligence, 2 March
David Pocock wants urgent action on carbon credits before vote on key climate policy
The Guardian, Adam Morton, 2 March
Trader accreditation, price floor needed to help govern scaled-up biodiversity market -report
Carbon Pulse, Stian Reklev, 1 March
Mirova calls for greater clarity on standards
Quantum Commodity Intelligence, 1 March
Carbon body officially endorses Puro.earth and Social Carbon
Quantum Commodity Intelligence, 1 March
Associations warn against financial instrument regulation for carbon
Carbon Pulse, 1 March
India must avoid carbon market pitfalls, think-tank says
Carbon Pulse, 1 March
US financier offers $100 mln worth of offsets on Canadian fintech platform
Carbon Pulse, 2 March
Forestry credits must rise to $30-50 range to have real impact -UNEP
Carbon Pulse, 1 March
Lawmakers consider creation of an EU carbon removals market before 2030
Carbon Pulse, 1 March
Avanços na certificação e oferta de créditos de carbono jurisdicional do Tocantins são destacados por Marcello Lelis em reunião com Earth Innovation Institute
Surgiu, Camila Mitye, 4 March
'Balancing the books on CO2': Tide undertakes 'world first' biochar purchase
BusinessGreen, Stuart Stone, 1 March
New study questions integrity of California’s forestry offset protocol, details extensive over-crediting
Carbon Pulse, 3 March
Climate Action Reserve developing Guatemala forest offset protocol
Carbon Pulse, 3 March
ANALYSIS: All sources of demand welcome to help build biodiversity market –experts
Carbon Pulse, Katherine Monahan, 3 March
Offset buyers prefer in-house due diligence, worry about issues “beyond carbon” -survey
Carbon Pulse, 3 March
PNG provides detail on carbon market regulations, but doubts linger of its ability to enforce them
Carbon Pulse, 3 March
Bursa Malaysia to auction credits from Cambodian, Chinese projects in inaugural auction
Carbon Pulse, 3 March
Quantum launches new cookstove, ARR carbon credit assessments
QC Intel, 6 March
Nature X set to include 11 "well-established" REDD+ projects
Quantum Commodity Intelligence, 6 March
Dutch developer partners with Ivory Coast on forest projects
Quantum Commodity Intelligence, 6 March
Brazilian state eyes ART TREES verification for REDD+ sales push
Quantum Commodity Intelligence, 6 March
Reducing Bankability Challenges for Nature-Based Solutions
Alex Prather, 3 March
US firm secures conditional approval for environmental credits registry and exchange in the Bahamas
Carbon Pulse, 6 March
Expert admits no perfect method to monitor REDD+ credits
Quantum Commodity Intelligence, 7 March
Carbon credit originator says achieves 1-bln tonne project pipeline, targets 50 Mt in trade this year
Carbon Pulse, 7 March
Nature Loss
Climate change is fueling more conflict between humans and wildlife
NPR, Nathan Rott, 2 March
As livelihoods clash with development, Vietnam’s Cần Giờ mangroves are at risk
Mongabay, Lam Nguyen and Danielle Keeton-Olsen, 28 February
Do elections spur deforestation? It’s complicated, new study finds
Mongabay, Liz Kimbrough, 3 March
Climate change lawsuits take aim at French bank BNP Paribas
Mongabay, Maxwell Radwin, 3 March
‘Brought down by gold’: Communities and nature suffer amid Nigerian bonanza
Mongabay, Gabriel Ogunjobi, 3 March
Chinese investment continues to hurt Latin American ecosystems, report says
Mongabay, Maxwell Radwin, 28 February
The Environmental Disaster Lurking Inside Your Chocolate Bar
Bloomberg, Paul Tullis, 2 March
Global Emissions and Local Deforestation Are Combining to Create Dangerous Levels of Heat Stress in the Tropics
WRI, Anna Lenaker and Frances Seymour, 1 March
Supreme Court keeps wetland damage lawsuits in state courts
AP News, Kevin McGill, 1 March
Overconsumption by the rich must be tackled, says acting UN biodiversity chief
The Guardian, Patrick Greenfeld, 2 March
UK risks biodiversity funding shortfall with ministers facing “difficult choices” -govt
Carbon Pulse, 24 February
How auditing giant KPMG became a global sustainability leader while serving companies accused of forest destruction
Archynetys, 2 March
Ford’s F-150 Electric Pickup’s Built From Metal Damaging the Amazon Rainforest
Bloomberg, Margaret Sutherlin, 27 February
Dozens of forest fires scorch Cuba, threatening brittle economy
Al Jazeera, 1 March
SLBs: Broken promise
Uxolo, Clara Amorim, 2 March
Top E.U. court rules Poland’s tree-cutting policy was illegal
E&E News, Louise Guillot, 6 March
Collagen craze drives deforestation and rights abuses
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, Elisângela Mendonça, Andrew Wasley, Fábio Zuker, 6 March
Global Emissions and Local Deforestation Are Combining to Create Dangerous Levels of Heat Stress in the Tropics
WRI, Anna Lenaker and Frances Seymour, 1 March
Mapping California’s ‘Zombie’ Forests
The New York Times, 6 March
Increasingly Large and Intense Wildfires Hinder Western Forests’ Ability to Regenerate
Inside Climate News, Bob Berwyn, 6 March
Kentucky Residents Angered by U.S. Forest Service Logging Plan That Targets Mature Trees
Inside Climate News, Marianne Lavelle, 5 March
Dozens of bushfires spread as heat grips Australia's east
BBC News, Tom Housden, 7 March
Restoration
Restoration turns pastures into wildlife haven in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest
Mongabay, Sarah Brown, 3 March
Highlands Rewilding raises £10.5m to restore 3,500-acre estate
BusinessGreen, Michael Holder, 1 March
Restoration turns pastures into wildlife haven in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest
Mongabay, Sarah Brown, 3 March
To Reduce Mortality From High Heat in Cities, a New Study Recommends Trees
Inside Climate News, Danish Bajwa, 1 March
Nearly $10M invested for reforestation through forest nursery and native seed partnerships
Morning Ag Clips, 26 February
Nature Tech
IT firm launches algorithm to track UK seagrass carbon sinks
Carbon Pulse, 1 March
MSCI to incorporate biodiversity data through NatureAlpha partnership
ESG Clarity, Natalie Kenway, 21 February
Can millions of genetically modified trees slow climate change?
Quartz, Tim Fernholz, 3 March
Sustainable Forestry
Fresh G7 sanctions fail to stop multibillion-dollar “conflict timber” trade
Earthsight, 1 March
Maine woods could store more carbon at current harvest with 'climate smart' forestry, study finds
Maine Public, Susan Sharon, 6 March
Fuel From the Forest
Comstock's Magazine, Eric Johnson, 27 February
Agriculture and Soil Health
Still Closed Out
IATP, Michael Happ, 1 March
Brazilian state to pilot carbon project for family-run farms
Quantum Commodity Intelligence, 7 March
The growing interest in funding agroforestry
Axios, Ayurella Horn-Muller, 2 March
How General Mills is advancing nature and climate goals hand-in-hand
BusinessGreen, Theresa Lieb, 3 March
Beam Suntory takes shot at tequila's carbon footprint
BusinessGreen, Stuart Stone, 3 March
US green group report takes aim at agriculture offset markets, citing Big Ag ‘power grab’
Carbon Pulse, 2 March
Some Republicans see a farm bill showdown: Food vs. climate
Politico, Adam Aton, 2 March
As Emissions From Agriculture Rise and Climate Change Batters American Farms, Congress Tackles the Farm Bill
Inside Climate News, Georgina Gustin, 1 March
|
|
Nature4Climate's Weekly Briefing summarises content from international media outlets (and our partner organisations) on stories, developments and events that relate to nature-based solutions. Our editorial policy is to circulate articles and opinion pieces whether we agree or disagree with viewpoints represented. Please submit NCS jobs, news, reports and events for the newsletter to info@nature4climate.org.
Please reach out with any feedback or thoughts on this version of the newsletter. If you want to be removed from the distribution list, please use the unsubscribe link below. Please join the conversation #NatureNow @nature4climate or get in touch.
|
|
|
|
|