Biodiversity Credits: Can Markets Pay for Nature?

The purpose of biodiversity credits markets is to fund the initiatives related to the conservation and restoration of nature. Under the Kunming-Montreal agreement, it will be possible to gather $200 billion a year by 2030, which will still leave a shortage of about $700 billion.
How Large Is the Biodiversity Credits Markets?
The market is not large at all. Pollination’s research shows estimates of a total volume of voluntary credits at $325,000 to $1.87 million, mainly priced at $25 or below. Despite this fact, more than 50 schemes and 10 standard-setting initiatives, among which are Verra and Plan Vivo, have already appeared.
What Are the Issues with It?
Biodiversity differs from place to place, which means that one region cannot replace the other, and experts highlight that the measurement of results has lots of uncertainties. Critics are concerned that the issues of carbon markets might repeat, such as insufficient additionality and false claims.
What Are the Conditions for Its Success?
The international advisory group has elaborated 21 principles and prohibited international offsets and secondary trading. Alongside credits, initiatives have to be connected to the protection of regions like the Amazon and peatlands.
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