Biodiversity Credits

Watch the webinar: The State of Global Nature Markets

Taking place on World Environment Day, June 5th 2026, offered a stocktake of where the biodiversity credits market stands today, and a forward-looking discussion on what it will take to move from principles to practice.

The webinar also marked the conclusion of the Nature Markets and Biodiversity Credits Initiative, which was launched in 2022. As the focus is increasingly shifting from agenda-setting to execution and technical development – policy design, piloting, and adoption at scale – the Forum will continue to support offering a convening and alignment space.

The Nature Markets and Biodiversity Credits Initiative

In 2022, the World Economic Forum launched an initiative to explore the potential of biodiversity credits to unlock new financing for measurable positive outcomes for nature and its stewards.

Since then, the Initiative has been building the business case for the development of nature markets like biodiversity credits, bringing forth integrity both in project development and the supply of credits, and also across demand and related claims.

Biodiversity credits are a verifiable, quantifiable and tradeable financial instrument that rewards positive nature and biodiversity outcomes (e.g. species, ecosystems and natural habitats) through the creation and sale of either land or ocean-based biodiversity units over a fixed period.

Biodiversity credits can benefit people, nature and business

When anchored around principles of high-integrity, equity and inclusion, and transparency, biodiversity credits can generate benefits for the Indigenous People and local communities - the ultimate custodians and stewards of nature which have safeguarded it for generations.

Simultaneously, biodiversity credits can create positive value for business by reducing exposure to physical nature risks, keeping pace with regulatory changes, supporting positive nature outcomes aligned with consumer preferences, and securing access to competitive finance.

1. Exploring demand and supply dynamics

Identifying the drivers and incentives of demand, providing guidance around the risks and options of claiming the credits, and mobilizing a community of early movers to test the readiness of the market.

2. Promoting integrity and governance

Developing high-integrity and governance principles to promote transparency and inform robust methodologies to secure long-term benefits of the market.

3. Identifying metrics and measurement

Advancing the discussions on a standardized set of metrics, connected to existing reporting frameworks, to provide a consolidated approach and value in the context of a biodiversity credits market.

High-Level Principles to Guide the Biodiversity Credit Market

This joint WEF-BCA-IAPB report offers guidelines to biodiversity credit schemes to set high integrity standards, to project developers to generate high-quality biodiversity credits and to enable buyers to make informed choices.

Jul, 2025 | World Economic Forum

Nature Finance and Biodiversity Credits: A Private Sector Roadmap to Finance and Act on Nature

This report offers guidance on how to develop and implement nature finance strategies and plans, using as a practical example one of the emerging instruments: biodiversity credits.

Oct, 2024 | World Economic Forum

Biodiversity Credits: Demystifying Metrics for Nature Markets

This paper aims to establish a foundation for developing comparable models for measuring nature outcomes.

Sep, 2024 | World Economic Forum

Biodiversity Credits: A Guide to Identify High-Integrity Projects

This paper presents a practical guide for biodiversity credit buyers, offering a structured overview of ten key integrity guardrails.

Sep, 2024 | World Economic Forum

Biodiversity Credits: Demand Analysis and Market Outlook

This report estimates the scale of demand and identifies drivers for biodiversity credits.

Dec, 2023 | World Economic Forum

Biodiversity Credits: An initial guide for companies to invest with integrity

This report provides initial business guidance on how to start using biodiversity credits with integrity and credibility.

Dec, 2023 | World Economic Forum

High-Level Governance and Integrity Principles for Emerging Voluntary Biodiversity Credits Markets

This consultation paper points to the key guardrails needed to ensure both social inclusion and environmental benefits.

Dec, 2022 | World Economic Forum

The Frontrunners Coalition

The Frontrunners Coalition is a community of private sector players to signal increasing interest to finance ecosystems while supporting communities, and test and learn from early-stage transactions to ensure the market is robust and transparent.

Through the engagement of key businesses and investors, the Coalition will play a key role in building knowledge and confidence in nature markets, advancing discussions and debates around the key outstanding questions preventing investment at scale.

The Coalition also aims to catalyze further investments by piloting, iterating and learning from early-stage transactions.

Learning opportunity

Benefit from dedicated discussions and workshops with market experts and exchange practices with vetted high-integrity peers.

Reputation dividend

Gain reputation as a first mover in nature markets participating in early-stage pilot transactions.

Drive action

Collaborate with leaders to ensure the biodiversity credits market develops with high integrity.

Access innovative markets

Connect and access the emerging highest quality suppliers, forming early partnerships, agreements, and scaling new solutions.

Biodiversity Credits and Regenerative Agriculture

Agriculture is crucial to society yet depletes nature. Regenerative practices are seen as a solution to reduce this impact.

How can innovative financing mechanisms like biodiversity credits support the transition to regenerative agriculture? What are the challenges to implementation and which incentives and levers could create the right conditions?

Biodiversity credits and the mining sector

Mining is essential to society, including for a net zero transition, yet its operations often degrade nature and the resources it fundamentally relies on.

What role can innovative financing instruments, such as biodiversity credits, play in progressing action to restore and regenerate landscapes impacted by mining activities?