Closely linked with the New Zealand stock exchange operator NZX Ltd, TZ1 has begun to offer biodiversity credits to diversify its offerings to the world’s carbon-trading market, currently valued at over US$60 billion. Standard carbon markets let firms or nations buy and sell greenhouse-gas emissions offsets to meet both voluntary and mandatory targets.
As demand for biodiversity credits to protect environmental assets grows, the company says, developers could sell such credits by preserving or restoring forests or saving rivers and water flows.
“A biodiversity credit is a little bit like an emissions offset,” said Franklin, “but it’s something somebody is willing to invest in for the purposes for the next generation.” To be attractive, he added, conservation-credit schemes should last for about 50 years.
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