Greg Steenbeeke and Biodiversity Credits скачать в хорошем качестве

Greg Steenbeeke and Biodiversity Credits

http://thesium.com.au/ Introductions and Engagement Greg suggested adding a link to the presentation on the Theseium website for perpetual access, while also mentioning membership discussions. Biodiversity Background and Experience Greg recounted his upbringing in the Blue Mountains and early exposure to biodiversity, both coastal at Randwick and in the mountains. He detailed his 27 years of work with various New South Wales environment agencies involving wetlands, dry lands mapping, vegetation surveys, and bioregional surveys. Greg discussed his involvement with native edge management and the development of tools to assess and quantify biodiversity impacts for development. He explained that four years ago he and his business partner started a dedicated venture, now managing or assessing about 3,500 hectares for conservation. Economic Valuation of Biodiversity Mick highlighted the need to discuss biodiversity in economic terms in order to engage investors and decision makers used to balance sheets and profit metrics. Greg emphasized living in a capitalist society where every environmental service has to have a monetary value, noting the trillions of dollars ecosystem services provide. He proposed thinking of biodiversity as currencies, explaining that unlike a single currency such as carbon, biodiversity involves multiple species and ecosystems that cannot be lumped together without losing nuance. Both speakers discussed the challenge of quantifying biodiversity loss and how economic valuation is crucial given the gradual yet significant changes such as ongoing extinctions and ecosystem breakdowns. Biodiversity Offset Scheme and Credits Greg explained the biodiversity offset scheme in New South Wales, which treats offset reserves as IUCN Category 1 type reserves written to title and in perpetuity. He outlined the need to compensate landholders fairly for lost income—for example, replacing roughly $400 per hectare per year from grazing—to incentivize conservation participation. Greg described how offsets work: developers must offset impacts at ratios (often around 10:1), and credits depend on the condition and uniqueness of ecosystems such as Cumberland Plain woodland. The discussion covered challenges in proving the presence of species (e.g., squirrel gliders) on offset sites, with extensive monitoring including cameras and even proposals for DNA testing. Mick and Greg noted that while biodiversity credits are beginning to value nature more accurately, the market remains complex with credit values sometimes dropping due to governmental pressures to lower developer costs. Market Dynamics, Policy, and Delivery Agreements Greg detailed the role of the Independent Pricing Regulatory Tribunal in New South Wales and legislative influences such as biodiversity net gain requirements, which are expected to drive market demand. He raised concerns over how administrative pressures, such as the need to lower credit prices and the design of delivery agreements (SODAs), can undermine the market and lead to unsustainability. Greg highlighted the issues of upfront capital gains tax implications on entering conservation agreements, which create hesitancy among landholders considering the long-term stewardship obligations. He discussed the challenges faced by landholders, consultants, and developers in navigating pricing negotiations, ensuring fair reimbursement, and managing costs like insurance, rates, and ongoing ecological management. Both speakers pointed out that while the system is evolving with iterations and potential inflection points, significant complexities need legislative clarification and market adjustment before the system can be normalized. Mick mentioned the broader tension between development, asset generation, and valuing natural capital—suggesting that, like gold, biodiversity should be seen as a store of value for humanity. Opportunities for Biodiversity Engagement Greg advised companies interested in leveraging biodiversity credits to start by reporting their biodiversity impacts and engaging in initiatives like the Task Force for Nature-related Financial Disclosures. He noted that investing in and retiring credits can offer tax advantages and help fund and manage land for conservation, providing roles for both large developers and climate tech firms. Greg encouraged direct dialogue with supply-side experts to better explore opportunities, including from sectors like data centers and renewable energy projects.