The Nature Brief for Business.

The Big Picture

Corporate green claims are under rising scrutiny, with lawsuits challenging “carbon neutral” marketing. Private equity shows major disclosure gaps, with only one of 150 top firms committing measurably to address nature loss. At the same time, countries are leaning on carbon markets to finance ambitious emissions and biodiversity targets, while finance flows into restoration, bonds, and divestment continue to build momentum.

Key movements this week:

• Biodiversity credit markets hit new milestones but still face integrity challenges.
• Nature tech is scaling fast, with AI, eDNA, and agroforestry research opening fresh pathways.
• Net-zero strategies increasingly tied to nature-based solutions, though risks remain for unproven ocean carbon removal methods.

Market Essentials

Finance: Capital mobilising around restoration and green assets.

• Brazil announced $5.6 billion to restore 1.4 million hectares under its Eco Invest auction programme. This demonstrates how sovereign-led initiatives are attracting international capital for large-scale land recovery.
• Analysts project that Amazonia bonds could reach $120 billion in issuance over five years. The scale highlights investor appetite for innovative debt instruments tied to deforestation and biodiversity outcomes.
• Danske Bank divested over 85% of its fossil fuel holdings due to weak transition plans. The move frees up capital for low-carbon investments and signals mounting financial pressure on lagging emitters.

Targets: Countries raise ambition, leaning on carbon markets.

• Cambodia pledged to cut emissions by up to 55% by 2035 under its third NDC, with financing tied to carbon markets. The plan shows how developing countries are relying on market-based mechanisms to close resource gaps.
• The Solomon Islands committed to a 34% emissions reduction by 2035, drawing on REDD+ and Article 6 finance. The target mirrors Cambodia’s strategy of anchoring ambition in international support flows.
• Bhutan launched a restoration programme aiming to recover 50,000 hectares of degraded land through a blended finance package. This highlights how small nations are leveraging partnerships to scale land-use goals.

Reporting: Corporate environmental claims face sharper legal and disclosure tests.

• Apple is defending against a proposed US class action claiming its “carbon neutral” marketing misled consumers. The case underscores growing legal and reputational risks around unverifiable corporate green claims.
• A new study found only one out of 150 major private equity firms has a measurable, time-bound commitment to tackling nature loss. This points to a major disclosure gap in one of the world’s most influential investor classes.
• South Korea’s Naver will align with TNFD and partner with the National Institute of Ecology to strengthen ecosystem conservation. The move signals corporate uptake of nature reporting frameworks in Asia’s tech sector.

Trend Watch.

Biodiversity Credits

• Environmental standard Cercarbono is preparing to issue the first biodiversity credits to a Colombian project. The milestone demonstrates early market activity but leaves questions on liquidity and scalability.
• Australia registered its first project under the government’s Nature Repair Market. This marks an important regulatory signal for biodiversity credits backed by state oversight.
• A European Forest Institute brief flagged risks including vague baselines, leakage, and lack of a universal metric. Without stronger governance, these issues could undermine credibility as the market scales.

Nature Tech

• New research highlights bird populations as valuable indicator species for biodiversity credits in agroforestry. This approach could sharpen measurement and improve integrity in credit assessments.
• The UK’s first airborne eDNA survey detected more than 1,100 species across varied habitats. This breakthrough illustrates how non-invasive technologies can expand biodiversity monitoring at scale.
• A climate tech startup in India became the first to secure carbon credits for sustainable rice farming. This proves the potential for tech-enabled agricultural practices to deliver certified climate benefits.

Nature & Net-Zero

• UK scientists warned against scaling ocean-based carbon removal until more research is conducted. The finding reflects growing caution on biodiversity impacts from untested marine technologies.
• Legal experts urged regulation of marine CO2 removal methods under international conventions. This guidance stresses the need for governance frameworks to balance climate ambition with ocean risks.
• The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market awarded its top integrity grade to biochar and improved forest management methods. The decision validates these approaches as credible pathways to carbon removal.

Quick Hits.

Policy:

• Belize launches first national blue carbon pilot and debates carbon bill.
• Brazil drafts Article 6.2 policy while president sanctions bill easing licensing.
• Taiwan issues forest carbon guidelines.
• Laos holds first OECM dialogue.
• 23 US state attorneys general warn SBTi and financiers of antitrust risks.
• Plastic treaty talks stall as producer nations block progress.

Markets:

• Article 6 credits move closer to CORSIA eligibility.
• Philippines bamboo project registered under Verra VM0047, a regional first.
• Nepal targets $75m from forest carbon projects by 2028.
• Paraguay launches BIOFIN branch with UNDP support.

People:

• Soil health research remains skewed to Global North, leaving gaps in Global South.
• Blue carbon developer pledges revenue-sharing agreements with communities.

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