Conservation Finance Network

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service seeks public comments on its interim rule for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. The rule – now available on the Federal Register – takes effect on publication and includes changes to the program prescribed by the 2018 Farm Bill.

Mirova's Natural Capital Platform is looking to generate attractive returns and positive impact from investments in sustainable agriculture, fisheries and conservation. CEO Philippe Zaouati spoke to Environmental Finance .

In August, an estimated 4.6 million acres of the Amazon rainforest burned in a government-condoned campaign to clear land for crops and cattle. What most of the world saw as a hopeless and horrifying political problem, though, Bjorn Otto saw as a math problem. And math problems can be solved.

"In the second half of 2019 Nori launched its marketplace and completed the Techstars Sustainability program. As well as delivering on their milestones, the company closed (and oversubscribed) their $1.3M pre-seed round in December."

As part of California’s cap-and-trade program, major polluters in the state are charged for the carbon emissions they generate. Some of that money is set aside for programs that both promote economic development and cut carbon pollution in disadvantaged communities.

The $200 million round included new investor FedEx, and new lender Pacific Western Bank as well as existing investors, bringing Indigo’s total capital raised to approximately $850 million.

The notes drew a wide range of accredited investors including individuals, non-profits, family offices and ImpactAssets’ Donor Advised Fund to help convert conventional farmland to organic. In addition to the soil restoration notes, the REIT in September launched a direct public offering that could raise up to $50 million from the general public for farmland conversion.

"Verra and the Climate Action Reserve, both of which manage leading GHG crediting programs, are leading players in this space, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the highest standards when it comes to carbon measurement and accounting."

The Climate Action Reserve is developing a Soil Enrichment Project Protocol that will provide guidance on how to quantify, monitor, report and verify agricultural practices that enhance carbon storage in soils. The primary greenhouse gas (GHG) benefit targeted will be the accrual of additional carbon in agricultural soils, with hopes to incentivize GHG emission reductions from other sources, such as N2O from fertilizer use.