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AI for biodiversity with AiDash
Figuring out Biodiversity Net Gain
Shaken Not Burned
March 07, 2024
Shaken Not Burned 07/03/24
News, changemakers and sustainability solutions
Welcome to the latest edition of Shaken Not Burned. In this week’s podcast, we explore the impact of three sustainability stories of the week.
We talk about recent IEA analysis showing how the deployment of renewable energy is making energy less carbon-intensive despite increasing demand; the implications of the EU’s decision on increasing penalties for environmental crime; and research to suggest that financial incentives are the greatest drivers of decarbonisation.
Our discussion of recent news is followed by this week’s interview with Shashin Mishra, vice president of EMEA for AiDash. Mishra tells us how the AI-first SaaS company uses its collaborative AI approach to measure biodiversity and discusses the implications of the Biodiversity Net Gain directive.
If you have any questions, or have anything you’d like to learn more about do drop us a line at [email protected]. We hope you enjoy the newsletter and thanks for listening to the podcast.
Giulia, Heather and Felicia
This week’s podcast episode
AI for biodiversity with AiDash Our discussion of recent news is followed by this week’s interview with Shashin Mishra, vice president of EMEA for AiDash. Mishra tells us how the AI-first SaaS company uses its collaborative AI approach to measure biodiversity and discusses the implications of the Biodiversity Net Gain directive. |
Glossary - Biodiversity Net Gain
Mandatory from 12 February 2024, the UK’s Biodiversity Net Gain rules mean that developers must leave their site with at least 10% greater biodiversity than when they began their project, thereby restoring and enhancing natural ecosystems. In doing so, it sets out a fungible framework for the development of biodiversity units, a potential new income stream for landowners.
Busting a myth
Paper or plastic bags? Like many things in the world of sustainability, the question of whether paper or plastic is best is hard to answer. In the face of global plastic pollution, paper may seem like the obvious option, but it can take up to 4x more energy to produce a paper bag than a plastic one. The use of trees can be a major driver of deforestation and paper tends to be heavier than its plastic counterpart, making its transport more carbon and fuel-intensive. Although plastic is more ecologically damaging over time, it is important to recognise that there are problems with both. Ultimately, reusing whichever bags you already have is the most sustainable action to take. |
Stories that highlight a changing market
With the Budget announcement of a 0.02p cut in National Insurance in the UK and warnings that this may lead to council cuts of essential services, it’s a little depressing to discover that the UK ranks the lowest of leading European countries in terms of green spending. The IEA’s latest analysis shows that it is possible to decouple emissions from economic growth, but only if we invest upfront in solutions. Today’s politicians may be missing a trick by focusing on immigration and cost-of-living rather than planning for a better future.
The Budget also brought confirmation that the Treasury is planning to regulate ESG ratings providers. This should help users of the ratings agencies to gain a deeper understanding of what is actually being compared. There is a distinct lack of trust in the market today, with it being common practice for institutional investors to use six or more different frameworks and approaches to better understand their risk exposure. The regulation intends to clarify the definitions of ESG factors and increase the standardisation of how these factors should be assessed, ultimately rebuilding trust in the market.
With the looming spectre of the EU’s Corporate Social Responsibility Directive on the horizon, a Bloomberg survey warns that European companies see the acquisition of ESG data as the main challenge. It’s not as simple as identifying what they need to report – hard enough to do in the first place – they must also be able to access, maintain, disclose and audit that data in a robust, accountable and transparent way. Regulation is undoubtedly the main driver of action, but there is little question that the private sector is looking for standardisation – in terms of evolving standards and new information requirements – in order to meet the challenge.
Although the EU’s Corporate Due Diligence Directive failed at the last hurdle, a sad outcome for human rights, the action is still unfolding. Just recently, the EU Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on new rules banning products made with forced labour from being sold within the EU, or exported from it. The agreement has now been submitted for formal approval from the Commission and Council, and should be in place within two years. It is somewhat frightening to think that we need legislation to prevent slavery in the supply chain, but at least measures are being taken.
Invesco has joined the list of investors exiting the Climate Action 100+, a network of investors committed to engaging with companies on climate change. At its height, the network represented more than 700 investors with over $68 trillion under management. With the divisive politicisation of ESG in the US and growing attacks on the use of ESG as a risk-adjusted investment lens, the network is rapidly shrinking. The long-awaited ruling of the US Securities and Exchange Commission on how companies should report their exposure to climate-related risks will be a critical turning point in the CA100’s success.
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