The European Commissioner for Environment, Jessika Roswall, is organising a round-table discussion on the subject of ‘nature credits’, on Wednesday 23 April. The aim will be to discuss the introduction of a system of ‘nature credits’, inspired by the ‘carbon credits’ model, which would accelerate private investment.
Jessika Roswall sees “vast potential” in this mechanism. In September 2024, President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the Commission was working with the Member States “to develop the first pilot projects to support this process” (see EUROPE 13482/14). With the introduction of ‘nature credits’, positive actions on nature would earn a credit.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Economic Forum, the WWF, the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA), the Confederation of European Forest Owners, the agricultural representative body Copa-Cogeca, the Nasdaq, Intel and several banks(Swedbank, Central Bank of Netherlands, Deutsche Bank, Rabobank, Nordea) will be taking part in the discussion.
They will be asked a number of questions: how can the development of this market be best facilitated? Are regulatory measures necessary? Should standardised methodologies and governance, or market-driven tools be favoured? What are the drivers of demand for ‘nature credits’ from businesses and the financial sector? What role can the EU play? (Original version in French by Florent Servia)