Building Biodiversity Credit Markets from the Ground Up - with Manesh Lacoul

The ForestLink newsletter signupBiodiversity Credit AllianceKratom treeToday, I’m joined by Manesh Lacoul, Global Coordinator of the Biodiversity Credit Alliance. In this conversation, Manesh explains how biodiversity credit markets are taking shape and why credibility must be built in from the start. We discuss the key lessons emerging from carbon markets, including the need to prioritize integrity, inclusion, equity, and innovation rather than treating them as afterthoughts. Manesh shares how the Biodiversity Credit Alliance is bringing together stakeholders across the market to develop principles, assessment tools, and comparability frameworks that can support high-integrity growth. We also talk about buyer integrity, the different use cases for biodiversity credits, the growing role of governments, and what investors and project developers should be paying attention to as this market evolves.“In carbon markets, integrity came more as an afterthought. For biodiversity, integrity must go hand in hand with market development.”0:09 Welcome to Forest Invest with Shauna Matkovich1:14 Manesh Lacoul on his role at the Biodiversity Credit Alliance3:30 The key actors shaping biodiversity credit markets5:58 What success looks like: integrity, inclusion, equity, and innovation7:17 Lessons biodiversity markets should learn from carbon markets12:44 Inclusion and equity across different local contexts15:37 Market readiness on the buy and sell side19:00 Why buyer integrity matters as much as supplier integrity24:47 How current biodiversity credit buyers are approaching the market26:52 Where biodiversity credit activity is emerging globally28:58 The EU roadmap for nature credits31:14 Biodiversity stacked on carbon credits32:31 Biodiversity credits versus payment for ecosystem services35:04 How new buyers, investors, and developers can get started37:58 Why there are so many methodologies and whether consolidation will happen41:01 High-level principles, assessment tools, and comparability frameworks44:10 Why growing government involvement is encouraging46:02 Advice for forest investors and the role of biodiversity credits in production forests48:21 Where to find Biodiversity Credit Alliance resources48:36 Closing remarks with Shauna MatkovichFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.