Putting nature on the balance sheet: EU eyes biodiversity credit market

The European Commission envisages nature credits offering new income opportunities for farmers, foresters, fishers, landowners and local communities that restore ecosystems

The commission says there are clear synergies, particularly for carbon farming activities with biodiversity co-benefits.

The European Commission has proposed nature credits, a system whereby private investors can pay landowners who make biodiversity and ecological restoration efforts.

However, it is likely to be many years away. In 2021, the commission proposed a not dissimilar carbon credits system, but its planned adoption for carbon farming is not expected until 2026.