N4C Weekly Briefing
5 -11 April 2023
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Forest Conservation Projects Must Be Community-Led [Commentary]
Newsweek, Minneth Medina, 5 April
Newsweek publishes a commentary by Minneth Medina, the general director of the Junta Intermunicipal Biocultural del Puuc, who argues that the success of REDD+ in Yucatan, Mexico, is based on a community-led approach.
Bloomberg reports that some corporations that are wary about the poor quality and questionable climate benefits of carbon offsets for sale on the open market from brokers are now devising their own credit projects. It’s an untested approach for corporations that are under intense scrutiny from climate-conscious investors to address their emissions while ensuring integrity and avoiding exploitative behaviors. Reuters covers a new initiative from Nestlé, Mars Inc and 3M and their partnership with the Tsay Keh Dene First Nation people of British Columbia, Canada supporting their efforts to protect key parcels of land with cultural significance. What’s unique about the partnership is that the Tsay Keh Dene are calling the shots: the companies have all committed to support the First Nation’s management plans for the territory, including protecting key parcels with cultural significance from unwanted harvesting for pulp and paper.
Project Syndicate shares a commentary from Giulio Boccaletti, from the Oxford University’s Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, defending nature-based carbon markets.
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More forest, more profit? Brazil looks to build a new 'bioeconomy'
Context, Laurie Goering and Fabio Teixeira, 11 April
Context covers the current state of Brazil's bioeconomy, a more sustainable system of families and cooperatives producing forest products including the palm fruit açaí, rubber and pharmaceutical ingredients older than the agricultural sector that is driving deforestation in the country. As Brazil tries to protect its fast-vanishing rainforest, reduce inequality and build a more sustainable economy, finding ways to shift investment toward expanding the bioeconomy may be the best chance to protect the Amazon and its people, experts say. Mongabay shares a study that looked at changes in forest cover in 129 Indigenous territories in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest between 1995 and 2016, finding that deforestation rates were lower and reforestation rates higher in those where land tenure had been formalized. Mongabay interviews journalists in Brazil about the dangers of reporting on deforestation in the Amazon after the deaths of journalist Dom Phillips and Indigenous specialist Bruno Pereira.
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Defra and Green Finance Institute to undertake 'first of its kind' nature-related risk analysis
BusinessGreen, Amber Rolt, 5 April
BusinessGreen reports that the Green Finance Institute (GFI) has teamed up with the UK government to lead a "first of its kind" analysis of nature-related financial risks facing UK businesses and financial institutions, with the findings set to be released later this year. The GFI analysis is set to explore the potential financial impact of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation on businesses' bottom lines, in collaboration with the Department for Environment, Food and & Rural Affairs (Defra), the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, and the Universities of Oxford and Reading. Carbon Pulse shares that the UK government has published an update to its green finance strategy as well as a nature markets framework stating the intention to pilot new finance opportunities that may include biodiversity crediting. The Green Finance Strategy, which updates a 2019 version, effectively sets out how the UK can become a global hub for environmental finance, including increased cash for the financial services sector and an aim to raise an additional £50-60 billion of private capital investment each year to help deliver net zero. Carbon Pulse also reports that the UK Infrastructure Bank has announced a first £12 million investment in a major nature restoration project in Scotland amid plans to grow its role in markets that underpin positive climate and biodiversity outcomes.
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Palm Oil Cultivation Is Destroying Forests. There’s No Easy Fix
Reuters, Sophia Chalmer, 6 April
Bloomberg shares an episode of the Bloomberg Originals series Getting Warmer With Kal Penn, where Penn heads to Indonesia to investigate solutions to the problem of palm oil. The commodity is a major driver of deforestation in Southeast Asia and production is growing worldwide. Reuters reports Indonesia, the world's biggest palm oil biodiesel user, is now working to introduce bioethanol mandates for gasoline to further cut fuel imports and carbon emissions. Indonesia plans eventually to mandate bioethanol content for gasoline at 15% and use it nationwide by 2031, an aggressive target when it has only two bioethanol plants that struggle to secure enough sugar molasses feedstock. Thomson Reuters Foundation looks at the EU's regulation banning palm oil imports and other commodities tied to deforestation and how it could affect smallholder palm oil farmers in Southeast Asia. EU Observer shares a commentary from Indonesia's ambassador to Germany that questions whether the EU deforestation law is an attempt at recolonization.
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The future of US forests — a major carbon sink — is ‘highly uncertain’
Grist, Joseph Winters, 6 April
Grist reports that new research on the future of forest carbon sequestration in North America varies widely depending on the analysis used. Some scientific models show American forests storing more carbon over the next several decades, while others show greater regional variability or overall losses in carbon storage. The conflicting results of projected carbon storage for American forests creates threats for investments in nature-based carbon markets according to experts.
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Jurisdictional Approaches Resource Hub posts an overview of a study that resulted in policy recommendations that the Colombian government can use as a guideline to integrate JREDD+ inclusively and equitably.
Partnerships for Forests launches the Funds for Nature Investor Database, a collaborative and accessible database of funds and asset managers with a mandate to invest in nature-based businesses.
IETA publishes a report on the state of the voluntary carbon market. IETA also announces that it will soon publish a white paper on the "Key Differences Between Market-Based Credits & Results-Based Payments for REDD+".
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PLOS Climate carries a new study with four key recommendations to ensure finance mechanisms for biodiversity and NbS foster more just, equitable, and environmentally sustainable pathways in support of the CBD’s (Convention on Biological Diversity) 2050 vision of “living in harmony with nature”.
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University of Cambridge announces that new funding from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation that will enable scientists at the University of Cambridge to embark on a new project with partners in Indonesia to identify best practices for restoring landscapes, focussing on riverside areas around oil palm crops.
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The Nature Conservancy and Blue Planet Labs launch the Blue Carbon Explorer (BlueCarbon.TNC.org), a digital tool developed by TNC that aims to map mangrove and seagrass blue carbon around the world. The tool also enables governments and coastal managers to make data-informed decisions on the protection and restoration of coastal ecosystems.
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Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures publishes two hypothetical case studies from the Nature-related Data Catalyst to help organisations understand and apply some of the data tools already on the market. Locate phase of the LEAP approach focuses on a hypothetical report preparer's process to completing the Locate phase, a key phase of the LEAP approach that identifies priority locations for further analysis. Financial Institutions – A case study of hypothetical report preparer Bank of Nature focuses on a hypothetical bank’s process across the whole of LEAP, including the Scoping phase.
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DGB Group N.V. shares a report identifying major trends in the voluntary carbon market.
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Amazon's Climate Pledge releases an episode in its Future Forward docu-series showcasing corporate innovations and climate action called, “The Future of Forests” that centers around The Nature Conservancy’s agroforestry work in the Amazon alongside World Agroforestry Centre.
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The Africa Practitioners Network focuses on strengthening participants’ capacity to understand, implement and monitor sustainability initiatives including certification (FSC, RSPO), Regional Principles (eg. TFA APOI) and legality agreements (eg FLEGT/VPA). APN develops capacity various ways including: Delivering training courses with partners, building on existing good practice; providing opportunities for learning through practical experience, where participants engage in field work with expert mentors; and prioritizing support for institutions and individuals that demonstrate commitment to the natural resources sustainability sector. Since 2016, APN has provided on the job mentoring for 76 practitioners including 29 independent assessors (FSC, RSPO, HCV) and 47 NG0 actors in FLEGT / VPA.
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.
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NUMBER OF THE WEEK
c
£50-60 Billion
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The new UK Green Finance Strategy effectively sets out how the UK can become a global hub for environmental finance, including increased cash for the financial services sector and an aim to raise an additional £50-60 billion of private capital investment each year to help deliver net zero.
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GOOD NEWS
Rare inland rainforest in B.C. declared Indigenous protected area
In a race to conserve the largest intact, unprotected watershed in southern B.C., the Simpcw First Nation unilaterally declared the creation of a new protected area under Indigenous law — a move that could put an end to logging plans. The Raush, ringed by the snow-tipped northern Columbia Mountains, is the largest undeveloped, unprotected watershed in southern B.C.
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Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership – First Job Applications
In 2021, at UNFCCC COP26, over 140 world leaders committed to “halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030, whilst delivering sustainable development and promoting an inclusive rural transformation” through the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land-Use (GLD). The Forests & Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) was launched the World Leaders Summit at UNFCCC COP27 by a high-ambition group of countries to deliver on the GLD and to maintain high-level political leadership on forests, land-use and climate.
The FCLP is now establishing a professional secretariat, and is looking to make its first hires. The purpose of the FCLP Secretariat is to support the countries to deliver on the Glasgow Leaders Declaration, including planning high-impact policy initiatives and action, and the annual forest and climate leaders summit at UNFCCC COPs, with a first summit at COP28 in UAE. The Secretariat is hiring the following roles and we are looking for recommendations in your networks. Qualified candidates from tropical forest countries are particularly encouraged to apply:
- Policy Leads: The FCLP is looking for two policy experts to support the FCLP members across the action areas to support country co-leads to identify and develop policy initiatives, with a focus on scaling high-integrity forest carbon markets and finance.
- Communications Analyst: The FCLP is looking for the Secretariat to be able to better communicate its work and needs support on digital, social media, web, newsletter design and other key functions
- Engagement Analyst: The FCLP is looking for an analyst who will be responsible for coordinating and tracking engagement with FCLP members across the Partnership.
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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.
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Media Round-Up
Conservation
Saving Africa’s miombo woodlands
China Dialogue, Temwani Mgunda, 3 April
TNFD releases final draft of nature-related financial disclosure framework
BusinessGreen, Stuart Stone, 31 March
Robust intersectoral coordination could unleash Central African forests’ contribution to SDGs
Forest News, Amindeh Blaise, 29 March
BENIN: The World Bank is financing $30M for the management of classified forests
Afrik 21, Boris Ngounou, 30 March
One Forest Summit: don't stop there... [Commentary]
Afrik 21, Anne Raimat, 29 March
Scottish Widows steps up fight against biodiversity loss, climate change with £1.4 bln in new funds
Carbon Pulse, 30 March
Index helps measure speed of “decarbonization” of the Brazilian economy
CNN Brasil, Leandro Resende, 1 April
The Race to Save the Cloud Forests of Kenya's Chyulu Hills, Part 1
Bionic Planet
PRI nature initiative to tackle corporate political influence
Responsible Investor, Gina Gambetta, 6 April
Brazil, China, Indonesia top biodiversity funding priority list, analysts say
Carbon Pulse, 5 April
Stock markets finally begin to consider biodiversity after major UN meetings, study finds
Carbon Pulse, 3 April
Salesforce unveils plan to manage nature risks and dependencies across global value chain
BusinessGreen, Amber Rolt, 5 April
Indigenous and Local Communities
Majority-Black town fights to stop land being seized for gravel quarry rail link
The Guardian, Nina Lakhani, 3 April
3 Alaska Native tribes sue to block major gold mine project
AP News, 6 April
Expansion of Mennonite farmland in Bolivia encroaches on Indigenous land
Mongabay, Iván Paredes Tamayo, 3 April
Carbon Markets
Nature-based markets can help scale sustainability-linked sovereign debt solutions, report finds
Carbon Pulse, 2 April
‘Gone wrong’: Doubts on carbon-credit program in Peru forest
AP News, Ed Davey, 30 March
Carbon market experts team up to launch new firm to develop NBS projects
Carbon Pulse, 4 April
Dubai’s Blue Carbon signs Article 6 carbon deal with Liberia
Carbon Pulse, 29 March
China’s Hainan approves mangrove methodology, enhancing local blue carbon scheme
Carbon Pulse, 27 March
Australia introduces nature repair market legislation to parliament
Carbon Pulse, 29 March
California buffer pool ‘almost depleted’: CarbonPlan
QC Intel, 30 March
East Africa soil carbon initiative targets 300,000 credits
QC Intel, 30 March
Rows over Asian carbon credits overlook project benefits [Commentary]
Nikkei Asia, Nadeem Khan and Charles Bedford, 30 March
Developers should adopt new REDD method 'immediately' - Calyx
QC Intel, 6 April
Carbon market experts team up to launch new firm to develop NBS projects
Carbon Pulse, 4 April
Salesforce releases nature-positive strategy, commits to blue carbon credit purchase
Carbon Pulse, 5 April
Vitol, Nigeria sovereign fund launch carbon joint venture
QC Intel, 5 April
Nature Loss
Beleaguered forests are losing ground
Phys.org, Clay Bonnyman Evans, 29 March
Zimbabwe tries to mitigate tobacco deforestation
China Dialogue, Dean Hlatswayo, 27 March
‘Why mine so close?’: the fight to protect the pristine Okefenokee swamp
The Guardian, Oliver Milman, 1 April
Ontario just cut protections for farmland — again
The Narwhal
Brazil pulp and paper company Klabin touts ‘green’ image despite mining interests
Mongabay, Maiara Marinho and Naira Hofmeister, 4 April
After 150 years of damage to people and planet, Rio Tinto ‘must be held to account’ (commentary) commentary
Mongabay, Saul Jones, 5 April
Restoration
A shortage of native seeds is slowing land restoration across the US, which is crucial for tackling climate change and extinctions
The Conversation, Julia Kuzovkina and John Campanelli, 28 March
Overshoot is Here – ESG Investor commentary
ESG Investor, Julian Poulter, 31 March
ALGERIA: A first envelope of $73 million for the rehabilitation of the "green dam
Afrik 21, Boris Ngounou, 5 April
Ivory Coast: Daloa to Abidjan, 100,000 hectares of land will be reforested per year
Afrik 21, Benoit-Ivan Wansi, 5 April
Beyond carbon offsetting: Inside the corporate drive to revive Britain's dwindling rainforests
BusinessGreen, Cecilia Keating, 6 April
Nature Tech
eDNA growing as key tool to support biodiversity credit market
Carbon Pulse, 31 March
As conservation technology grows, so does Mongabay’s coverage
Mongabay, Mike DiGirolamo, 4 April
Finnish tech firm launches AI-based tool to monitor forest biodiversity, CO2 storage in near real-time
Carbon Pulse, 4 April
3D-Printed Wood Could Quite Literally Save The Trees
Apartment Therapy, Olivia Harvey, 1 April
Sustainable Forestry
The science behind improved forest management approaches in the carbon market
American Carbon Registry, Kurt Krapfl, 3 April
Mercuria Creates A Nature-Based Investment Platform
PR Newswire, 20 March
UK forestry fund buys three more projects for £10 million
Carbon Pulse, 30 March
The hidden carbon impacts of getting mass timber wrong
De Zeen, Jennifer Hahn, 31 March
Agriculture and Soil Health
The next farm bill could be a historic climate law - if Congress can agree on it
Grist, Max Graham, 30 March
AFRICA : GEF Adds $13 Million to AGRI3 Fund for Sustainable Agriculture
Afrik 21, Jean Marie Takouleu, 6 April
Why plant nutrition is the driver of soil regeneration
Ag Funder News, John Kempf, 27 March
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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.
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