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Biodiversity
17.12.2021
Advancements in Voluntary Carbon Markets
With increasing pressure on the private sector to actively participate in a “net-zero” future, the role of collaborative …
Earthly recognised in the IAPB Biodiversity Credit Framework launched at COP16
Biodiversity credits are designed to channel private-sector funds into conservation and restoration efforts, creating a viable financial pathway for businesses to meet sustainability goals.
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Earthly’s role in the IAPB framework
As the world moves to protect biodiversity and combat biodiversity loss, there are global efforts underway to safeguard the planet's diverse life forms. A positive trend is emerging, with
showing that conservation and restoration projects are helping to stabilise or even increase biodiversity in certain regions.
The International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits (IAPB) Framework
builds on this momentum by establishing guidelines for a transparent, equitable, and verifiable biodiversity credit market.
Earthly is honoured to have been acknowledged in the framework for our work in advancing high-integrity biodiversity credits in England.
The IAPB Framework highlights Earthly’s Voluntary Biodiversity Credits as a notable pilot solution alongside other key international case studies.
The framework also lists our CEO, Oliver Bolton, as one of the Working Group members who provided expertise towards the framework. As a participant alongside other global leaders, Oliver helped shape the high-integrity principles and guidelines for biodiversity credit markets. This recognition highlights Earthly’s central role in establishing standards that ensure biodiversity credits make a holistic positive impact.
Our participation also reinforces our commitment to Nature-based Solutions (NbS), aiming to bridge the gap between corporate sustainability goals and impactful, science-backed environmental projects.
The IAPB Framework is a blueprint for biodiversity credits
The IAPB Biodiversity Credit Framework marks a transformative step in aligning global biodiversity goals with actionable, high-integrity solutions. This approach not only builds trust in biodiversity credits but ensures that every investment leads to real, measurable impact.
Oliver Bolton - Co-founder & CEO, Earthly
The IAPB Framework is a pioneering step toward creating structured, effective biodiversity credit markets. It was launched by the the
at
in Cali, Colombia
Biodiversity credits are designed to channel private-sector funds into conservation and restoration efforts, creating a viable financial pathway for businesses to meet sustainability goals while fostering ecosystem health and resilience. However, this does not always happen because of various challenges, such as the lack of standardised methodologies for measuring biodiversity impact, the complexity of verifying carbon offsets, and the potential for greenwashing.
The framework is focused on principles that Earthly champions, such as verified outcomes, equity for Indigenous communities, and sound governance that bridge this gap. This ensures that biodiversity credits are not merely transactional tools but represent real, lasting impacts on the environment.
It also emphasises transparency and measurable ecological gains, requiring that all credits are based on durable, additional outcomes verified by rigorous, scientific standards. This integrity-based approach builds market trust and aligns business investments with the
, which aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.
Moreover, the IAPB Framework advocates for the inclusion of indigenous peoples and local communities as co-creators in projects, ensuring their traditional knowledge, rights, and values are respected.
Indus River Dolphin in the mangrove restoration project - Indus Delta, Pakistan. The project protects the mangrove ecosystem from deforestation, sequesters carbon, and preserves peatland biodiversity.
What are biodiversity credits, and why should businesses invest in them?
Biodiversity credits
represent parcels of land - within wider biodiversity projects - where positive impacts on biodiversity are achieved through conservation, restoration or sustainable land management. These credits typically originate from projects that support natural ecosystems, such as reforesting degraded lands, restoring wetlands, or protecting endangered species habitats. Each credit corresponds to measurable ecological benefits, like increased habitat area, improved species health, or ecosystem stability, which are monitored and validated through scientific assessments.
For businesses, biodiversity credits offer a way to engage in environmental stewardship beyond carbon, focusing specifically on preserving and enhancing biodiversity. By purchasing these credits, companies can support projects that address their nature footprint, fulfil corporate social responsibility goals, and contribute to biodiversity goals at both national and global levels.
Why should businesses purchase biodiversity credits?
Demonstrate sustainability leadership
: Supporting biodiversity projects shows a commitment to environmental stewardship, differentiating a business in a market increasingly focused on sustainability.
Meet regulatory and voluntary targets
: As global biodiversity goals become formalised, regulations and frameworks - like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and national biodiversity strategies - are emerging. Investing in biodiversity credits helps companies align with these frameworks and meet voluntary sustainability commitments, ensuring compliance and staying ahead of regulations.
Manage environmental risks
: Ecosystem degradation can impact supply chains and operational stability; investing in biodiversity credits helps secure these natural assets.
Boost brand reputation
: Beyond attracting environmentally conscious consumers and investors, companies that invest in biodiversity are seen as progressive and socially responsible. This appeal can also attract top talent, with
preferring to work for companies with strong environmental and social commitments.
Promote ecosystem resilience
: Healthy ecosystems provide essential resources and services, from clean water to fertile soil, essential for long-term business operations and growth.
Support local communities
: Many biodiversity credit projects involve local and Indigenous communities as stewards of the land, enhancing their livelihoods through employment, training, and revenue-sharing. Studies show that community-led conservation initiatives are often more effective and sustainable, directly benefiting both nature and society.
Nature-based solutions help drive a biodiversity-positive future
Businesses always have a biodiversity footprint in their operations, often without realising it. Every phase of a business cycle - sourcing, production, logistics - can impact biodiversity, contributing to ecosystem degradation and species loss. For example, agriculture and forestry
, which leads to habitat loss for countless species and disrupts delicate ecosystems. Additionally, industries like construction, energy, and mining disrupt natural habitats through activities such as land clearing, pollution, and resource extraction, further impacting biodiversity.
Biodiversity credits from Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer companies an accessible way to make a positive environmental impact while fostering transparent reporting and accountability. They play a critical role in offsetting and reducing the biodiversity impacts inherent in business activities. These credits also channel funds into ecosystem restoration and conservation, addressing biodiversity loss, supporting ecosystem health, and empowering the communities in it.
With global biodiversity loss now i
, biodiversity credits offer companies a way to take meaningful action. Investing in NbS not only helps businesses meet sustainability targets but also drives measurable improvements in biodiversity, aligning operational goals with global conservation efforts.
Forest restoration - Chiapas and Oaxaca, Mexico. So far, the project has restored over 9,000 hectares of forest and dispensed over $860,000 in direct payments to smallholder farmers.
Purchase NbS biodiversity credits for your business
At Earthly, we are proud to have contributed to shaping a framework that prioritises transparency, equity, and scientifically verified outcome. By creating a market that values ecosystem resilience and community inclusion, we can empower businesses to play a vital role in halting biodiversity loss and building a sustainable future.
Oliver Bolton - Co-founder & CEO, Earthly
By supporting the IAPB framework, Earthly aligns with a collective vision of ethical, scientifically supported biodiversity protection, helping to shape a new market that combines profit with measurable environmental impact.
We ensure that our partners’ investments contribute to measurable and lasting environmental benefits, backed by rigorous standards and clear conservation outcomes. Our projects are guided by ecological integrity and sustainability, providing natural solutions to the impacts of climate change. The voluntary
from these projects support this holistic approach, allowing businesses to invest in initiatives that go beyond carbon offsetting to address biodiversity loss directly, and supporting people.
, we can create a sustainable future that respects nature and champions responsible business practices.
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