Wildlife-carbon credits are taking off, here’s what you need to know.
A brief guide to one of the fastest growing climate-solutions we need to secure our planet ~ and Koobi ~ the platform connecting you with the world’s best wildlife-carbon credits.
If you’re anything like us, you’re sick of governments dragging their feet in the fight against climate change. They make grand promises from their chalets in Davos but are completely invisible — and unaccountable — when it comes to meaningful action.
Luckily, individuals and companies have the power to make a big difference despite this, and can take the fight against climate change into our own hands by reducing our emissions and then offsetting the rest with carbon credits.
The demand for wildlife-carbon credits (or biodiversity-carbon credits) is growing rapidly and they are becoming a buzzword in the carbon industry. But what are they, and why are they so popular? We figured it’s time someone shed light on this.
What are they? A wildlife-carbon credit, like any carbon credit, is equal to one tonne of carbon dioxide being removed from the atmosphere, or its emission avoided. However, the credit is created in a way that benefits wildlife. For example, if you’re growing trees, you could reforest a migratory corridor for elephants. Alternatively, if you’re avoiding deforestation, you could protect habitat for chimpanzees. The revenue from the credits can then fund further conservation efforts like anti-poaching patrols.
Who are they for? Wildlife carbon credits are for an emerging market — the voluntary carbon market — made up of people like you and me, who have decided to take up the fight against climate change and offset their own footprints. Businesses also buy some, for example, ten percent of a businesses carbon offsetting budget usually goes towards wildlife-carbon credits.
Why are they so popular for individuals? Have you bought a plane ticket and seen the tick box to offset the flight’s carbon and thought ‘I have no idea where this money is going and what impact it is having’? Well you’re not alone. Lack of trust is one of the biggest barriers stopping people from offsetting their carbon footprints. Wildlife-carbon credits are overcoming this because instead of carbon offsets being an intangible thing we cant see, we can now see the trees and habitat growing, and monitor the wildlife populations within them. The difference your dollar makes is clear, and your dollar goes further with the additional wildlife and community benefits than with other carbon credits.
Why are they so popular for businesses? Wildlife-carbon credits are attractive for businesses from a ‘corporate social responsibility’ angle. Not only is the company offsetting carbon, it is also contributing to wildlife conservation, and often sustainable community development too. Many businesses do this because they believe it is the right thing to do, but it also helps with their brand image and marketing. Some wildlife-carbon credits contribute to all seventeen of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals simultaneously. They’re pretty close to a silver bullet for addressing the world’s problems.
What should I watch out for? Like with any emerging industry, there will be cowboys who take advantage of it before regulation and quality control becomes water tight. The way some wildlife carbon credits have been calculated has been questioned, so make sure your credits are backed by credible science. Projects and sellers will often claim this, but do check their personnel to make sure they have the necessary expertise. Also double check that the projects are audited by an external body. Don’t let them over-price you either. If a seller isn’t transparent about their margin then don’t buy from them.
Where do I find them? Several options. You can buy directly from carbon offsetting project websites. Perhaps the better option is through a trusted broker or subscription platform. For example, we created Koobi to help connect people to the best wildlife-carbon projects in the world. There are many advantages to a platform like this, you get multiple projects without the hassle of finding and vetting them all, our in-house PhD level scientists audit them for quality, and we’ve negotiated better prices than you would get if you buy directly.
Our footprint on this planet is bigger than just our carbon footprint. Humans are leaving less and less space for wildlife and their populations are shrinking and species are going extinct. Wildlife-carbon credits provide an exciting double whammy to tackle these challenges and leave our grandchildren a prosperous and beautiful planet.
Let’s leave the governments to their arm waving. We can become the climate solution and save wildlife. We’ve got this.
