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Biodiversity Credit Alliance
Bringing together diverse stakeholders to invest in biodiversity
Find out moreCreating a viable, transparent and accountable market for nature
Alongside a strengthened carbon market, a biodiversity credit market is in the early stages of being established
This market needs to be efficient and robust to align private sector finance with nature positive goals and achieve just and equitable outcomes. Although biodiversity credits are seen as promising, there are a variety of issues that need to be resolved to ensure a viable, transparent and accountable market.
The Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA) exists to provide guidance for the establishment of a credible and scalable market that stands up to the scrutiny of multiple stakeholders. Key among them are Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities at the frontline of the biodiversity crisis. BCA is working together with the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to ensure strong foundations and principles exist and can be applied by all market participants going forward.
With support from UNDP, the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), BCA was launched during the CBD COP 15 as a voluntary international alliance that brings together diverse stakeholders to support the realization of the Global Biodiversity Framework, in particular Targets 19(c) and (d), which “encourage the private sector to invest in biodiversity” utilizing, amongst others “biodiversity credits … with social safeguards.”
A Framework for nature
The Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted at COP 15 in Montreal set the ambitious goals and targets for humanity to live in harmony with nature. GBF Target 19 deals with the biodiversity financing gap through innovative tools like biodiversity credits to leverage private investments.
The Global Biodiversity Framework's financial targets
Target 19: Sets out to substantially increase financial resources for biodiversity and close the biodiversity financing gap.
Biodiversity Credit Alliance Task Force
The BCA Task Force is the working organ comprised of scientists, academics, conservation practitioners, and standard setters, with direct links to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities on the BCA Communities Advisory Panel (CAP); while the World Business Council for Sustainable Development represents the private sector. Below are the current members of BCA Task Force.
BCA Forum is a dynamic, open, and growing multidisciplinary community with over 250 members at present.
BCA has established Working Groups to define and develop relevant concepts to best assist the formulation of a transparent and trusted market. Some ongoing workstreams are “Definition of biodiversity credit”, “Demand side sources and motivation for biodiversity credits – preliminary overview”, “Review mechanisms for supply-side quality and integrity”, and “Biodiversity Credit Alliance: Digital Framework”. New Working Groups will be established to facilitate discussions on other relevant topics including the “Biodiversity Credit Principles and Assessment Framework”.
BCA is continually engaging with key institutions in the biodiversity and carbon credits space and the World Economic Forum to establish partnerships, build synergies and learn from relevant lessons.
For more information and updates, please visit: Biodiversity Credit Alliance
Connect with the Biodiversity Credit Alliance team on LinkedIn.
