Justus Kariuki’s Post

Such a pleasure to work with the Sustainable Finance Coalition team and other incubator members on exploring the viability of biodiversity credits in the African context. The outcome is the following viability report which highlights the following key elements - Comprehensive Frameworks: The report highlights diverse and adaptable frameworks and methodologies crucial for implementing biodiversity credits across different ecosystems and regions, ensuring robust, replicable solutions for conservation and restoration efforts. Stakeholder Inclusion: Emphasises the importance of involving Local Communities in the decision-making process, acknowledging their role as custodians of biodiversity and ensuring equitable benefits from biodiversity credit projects. Market Readiness: It discusses the current state and potential growth of the biodiversity credit market, noting the untested but developing market demand and the necessity for transparent governance and social safeguards to foster a nature-positive economic system. Viability and Implementation: The incubator has confirmed the viability of biodiversity credits as a finance solution within the African context and outlines a detailed implementation pathway to scale these efforts responsibly. Future Challenges and Opportunities: The report addresses potential challenges such as ensuring integrity and preventing market saturation, while also highlighting opportunities for significant private sector investment and the development of a secondary market for biodiversity credits.

I am honoured to have had the opportunity to be a specialist contributor to the Sustainable Finance Coalition biodiversity credits incubator. The prospect of biodiversity credits is so compelling. There has never been a time on earth with such collective awareness around the need to invest in biodiversity and billions are being mobilised to invest in nature as we speak. However, there is a broken link between this capital and the intended nature project developers, conservationists and local communities responsible for safeguarding nature. Biodiversity credits could be a viable way to overcome bottlenecks and scale deployment capital into nature. On the other hand, designing a new credit market is complex. Nature is everyone's right but we risk getting lost in definitions, frameworks and methodologies. If we are to see real impact through biodiversity credits - We should not let perfection be the enemy of progress - We need to have stronger engagement with buyers to create viable demand. This report highlights some of the key findings from the incubator. Thank you to all the fellow contributors.

Only 3% of issued credits on the carbon markets come from reforestation projects, with a dominance of non-native commercial plantations. ERS - Ecosystem Restoration Standard is here to shift the game. Today, we are launching the first standard tailored to ecosystem restoration projects on the carbon markets. And I couldn’t be more excited. A massive thank you to everybody who supported us in this adventure, especially our investors Ferdinando Sigona - LocalGlobe, Angélique Elizé - RAISE, our partners Graine de Vie NGO, MORFO, Fundación Corcovado, ForestCalling Association, Bôndy, Edit Kiss - INTEGRITY GLOBAL PARTNERS INC, Giulia Carbone - WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Arthur Pivin - Carbone 4, Guillen Calvo - Insuco, and of course my team of rock stars at ERS. You can access the full press release and explore the documentation below: 📃 Press Release: https://lnkd.in/e_FdHGfD 📚 Documentation: https://ers.org Let’s get to work 🌱🚀! #climate #biodiversity #livelihoods #carbonmarkets #generationrestoration #ERS

🌿 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭! 🌿 We are thrilled to announce that ValueNature has partnered with CreditNature to expand nature markets across Africa, Europe, and the Americas. This strategic collaboration aims to integrate our innovative frameworks and methodologies to scale nature markets globally. Together, we will leverage our combined expertise to facilitate the flow of private and public finance towards achieving critical climate and nature goals. Central to this partnership is CreditNature’s proprietary 𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤, designed to measure ecosystem recovery and support investment via nature credits. This complements ValueNature’s established framework, allowing both companies to synergize their systems for a more robust and impactful nature market. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐎𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 - 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: Expanding nature restoration projects across millions of hectares. - 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬: Extending the Accounting for Nature® Standard to new regions. - 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬: Including carbon offsets in our Nature Investment Certificate offering. - 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐬: Protecting existing high-value ecosystems through innovative conservation impact credits. This partnership builds on CreditNature’s recent milestone – the world’s first accreditation of a Terrestrial Ecosystem Condition Method under the Accounting for Nature Ltd's Nature® Standard. This groundbreaking accreditation paves the way for significant financial investments in global ecosystem restoration and natural capital. We at ValueNature are incredibly excited about this opportunity to work with the CreditNature team. By leveraging the best of both our experiences and expertise, we aim to make significant strides in the nature credit market, driving meaningful conservation outcomes globally. Join us on this transformative journey to innovate and create new opportunities for ecosystem investment and sustainability worldwide. Read the Carbon Pulse article (https://lnkd.in/ekTYa2Ci) or CreditNature Press release (https://lnkd.in/eJPg46VS) #NatureConservation #Sustainability #NatureCredits #ClimateAction #Biodiversity #EcosystemRestoration #Partnership Biodiversity Credit Alliance International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits

In the News ➪ The Rapid Rise of Nature-Based Investments In 2020, global sustainable investments reached a combined value of USD 35.3 trillion. But until recently, little attention has been paid to nature as an investment asset – now this is changing. As the international focus on nature grows, businesses are likely to come under increasing scrutiny for the harm they do to biodiversity and ecosystems. Learn why nature is our most underpriced asset and why nature-based investments are on the rise. Read the article from Lombard Odier Group ➪ https://lnkd.in/gAwqwje2

🌱 Did you know? Less than 5% of impact investment supports early-stage ventures, with only 2% dedicated to nature and biodiversity initiatives (Source: GIIN). This highlights a critical gap in funding for innovative solutions aimed at environmental preservation. By redirecting more investment towards early-stage companies focused on biodiversity, we can foster transformative change and ensure a sustainable future. Let's prioritize supporting these pioneering initiatives to safeguard our planet's precious ecosystems. 🌍 #ImpactInvestment #Biodiversity #Sustainability #Investments #GIIN

Register and save the date - July 11 at 08:00 Pacific, 09:00 CDMX, 11:00 Eastern. You´ve never seen a carbon market like this before. This one hour session will explain the functionality and inspire innovation to fill the wide gap between finance and the regeneration of local ecosystems with a holistic constellation of partners: #subnational #government, private enterprise obliged to reduce their emissions, and a customized framework to involve the individual landowners in the critical biocorredor we want to protect based on the 37 years of experience of the Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda I.A.P. https://lnkd.in/gKVrtehY #BiodiversityCarbon #CarbonoBiodiverso #Biodiversity #CarbonFootprint #climateaction #Rewilding #GreenUptoCoolDown explorer.land by OpenForests Callirius AG Ricardo Javier Torres Hernández Martha "Pati" Ruiz Corzo ESTAINIUM Association UpLink - World Economic Forum Global Rewilding Alliance Global EverGreening Alliance

How can we measure biodiversity in the context of #impactinvesting? 🌱📈 Join us at Impact Seminar Series UK and learn from Anastasia Guha, Becky LeAnstey and Carlos Araujo as they delve into the various indicators and metrics to assess the impact of investments on #biodiversity.🌿 The investor panel will focus on: 🥇Best practices for measuring and reporting on biodiversity impact ✔️How investors can use this information to make informed investment decisions that have a positive impact on the environment This Investor Panel will be moderated by Phenix Capital Group's Niki Natarajan. 🚨REMINDER: #institutionalinvestors and asset owners register now for FREE here: https://lnkd.in/eQKuJw9K    #impinv #sustainableinvesting #uk #impactinvestment

🌿 Bridging Nature's Financing Gap The richness of plant and animal life, encapsulated in the term biodiversity, is in trouble due to human activities and urgency intensifies.  As nations still negotiate strategies for biodiversity preservation, the gravity of the situation is evident. A warning from the United Nations projects the potential extinction of up to one million species by 2050 if our trajectory remains unchanged while a significant finance gap persists— up to US$824 billion annually. 💡 Key Strategies: Mitigate, Generate, Strategize A recent report, "Financing Nature: Bridging the Global Biodiversity Financing Gap," sheds light on the financial terrain and highlights three key strategies: 1. Mitigate Harmful Activity (up to US$293 billion) - Redirect Subsidies: Shift colossal subsidies harming nature toward sustainable practices. As we've recently seen in Germany, this might become a tightrope walk for politics. - Enhance Supply Chain Sustainability: Adopt conscientious supply chain practices to avert environmental harm. 2. Generate New Revenue ($169-416 billion) - Reform Fiscal Policies: Empower governments to shape economies positively through taxes, fees, and fiscal initiatives. - Expand Green Finance: Encourage sustainable investments and direct funds to nature-centric projects. - Intensify Compensation Mechanisms: Industries compensate for negative impacts by restoring or safeguarding ecosystems. 3. Strategically Invest More ($138-198 billion) - Boost Development Assistance for Biodiversity: Support biodiversity-rich nations through aid, debt relief, and technical assistance. - Invest in Natural Infrastructure: Recognize the value of natural systems and commit to their preservation. Understand that a resilient nature also lowers economic risks. - Optimize Nature's Climate Potential: Harness natural lands to mitigate carbon emissions and align investments with nature. 🌐 The Path Forward The Nature Conservancy created an infographic (attached) emphasizing the role of every nation, industry, and individual. Investment in biodiversity yields dividends beyond financial returns — strengthened food, water, and economic security, a reliable climate, and a flourishing natural world. So, what are rational reasons for not prioritizing and protecting our nature? #biodiversity #finance #resilience #climatechange #naturefunding #conservation

While my career as a voice actor may be up for debate – one thing that is not is my pride in the efforts my team and Mackenzie have taken to enhance Canadian investors’ ability to access sustainable investments over the past decade. This 54th Earth Day is themed after “Planet vs Plastic”, signaling two key achievements including Canada’s hosting of negotiations on a Global Plastics Treaty this week, as well as the launch of the world’s first Plastic Bond earlier this year. The life cycle of plastics has long challenged the global ecosystem, beginning with emissions from manufacturing to improper recycling practices. Looking forward, tackling these complex problems will require both global policy and targeted investment. The ability to create quantifiable alpha through investing in impact-focused instruments is something that we should be proud to embrace not only on Earth Day but every day. As a Fixed Income portfolio manager, I began my career managing inflation linked bonds, an asset class which remains close to my heart even decades later, the past few years have reaffirmed that in the world of macro: inflation reigns supreme. While demand side factors can be adjusted through central bank policies, supply side factors are notoriously difficult to impact. As worsening climate conditions and acute extreme weather events threaten our ability to sustainably maintain core food sources, risks to inflation shift to the upside. Volatility from extreme rainfall to droughts has seen surging prices in coffee and cocoa beans. Thanks to our incredible partners in Marketing for your support in the creation of such an outstanding video and for our continued collaboration!