UK-based CreditNature has received what it claims to be the world’s first “terrestrial ecosystem condition method” accreditation, which it hopes will unlock investment in the nascent biodiversity credit market. The group, which is a spin-off from rewilding specialist Ecosulis, has developed a methodology that measures terrestrial biodiversity improvements. This methodology has now been independently accredited by Accounting for Nature, an Australia-based organisation that has developed certification standards for environmental accounting. Landowners can now use CreditNature’s methodology to measure biodiversity improvements in their land, and sell those in advance as credits to investors – thereby raising the money needed to fund the projects. CreditNature, which is working with the Scottish government, says it has two projects in Scotland that are investment-ready, but is yet to secure funding. It hopes the accreditation will boost investors’ readiness to put up the funds needed to get them up-and-running. “By referring to our simple methodology to understand and accredit on a 0-to-100 ECI [ecosystem condition index] scale, it is now possible for businesses to recognise and invest in nature as an asset and at the same time secure long-term sustainable growth,” CreditNature CEO Cain Blythe said. The Accounting for Nature accreditation will allow CreditNature to apply its methodology across the UK and Europe, but new accreditation would be required for other regions.
