?? Will you support Indigenous-led organisations?

Hi there,

As the week approached its close, the World Meteorological Organization declared it "more likely than not" that we will experience global temperatures more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels before 2027.?That’s before the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and within the next US presidential term.?

As rising global temperatures herald more frequent and severe extreme weather events, this is no time to sit waiting for regulatory perfection. We must harness every tool available to cut emissions and ensure that any temperature records above 1.5°C are rare events of declining frequency.

In light of this announcement, the?open letter?circulated by?Indigenous-led organisations on the 9th of May seems all-the-more pertinent. It calls for greater support of forest conservation projects from the global climate and finance communities. Scroll down to learn how you can get involved.

Newsflash

• The Guardian has published another article on carbon markets, but this time the focus is the claims companies can make based on credits purchased. It discusses the Advertising Standards Agency's decision to crack down on the use of ambiguous terms such as 'carbon neutral' and 'nature positive'.?
• Reuters reports on the largest ever debt-for-nature swap. Since the first pioneering agreement 1987, at least 140 similar deals have worked to commit national finance to nature conservation.?
• Again from Reuters we have a review of current developments in nature tech; the growing investor interest and the numerous opportunities and challenges it presents.
• Lucy Almond of N4C questions whether this is the time for new corporate climate claims while making clear that BVCM is not merely a brand refresh.?
• Carbon Pulse covers an announcement from Zimbabwe that it will take a 50% cut off all future carbon credit revenues generated from activities inside its borders. Rich Gilmore of Carbon Growth Partners took to LinkedIn to weigh in on the news.
• NCS Alliance shares an overview of different carbon finance projects, highlighting how local communities can benefit, including examples from our flagship portfolio projects.?
• New Scientist discusses how high-resolution satellites can help monitor loss of tree cover across Africa.
• Schroders has launched carbon credit share classes to provide its clients the option to counterbalance emissions associated with their fund holdings.

Don't miss this letter...

Global South Letter in Support of REDD+

Indigenous-led groups and organisations,?including FSC Indigenous Foundation, Peoples Forests Partnership and the IPACC, have published an open letter to the global climate and finance communities calling for their support?on high-integrity forest protection carbon credits – in particular REDD+.

The letters calls for, “immediate and steadfast support from the Global North to ensure continued funding to the Global South via REDD+ carbon credits.”

Indigenous People protect more than 80% of the world’s biodiversity yet continue to be underrepresented in international climate decision-making.

Mongabay reports on the letter, highlighting how REDD+ provides one of the “few direct funding flows” to IPLCs for their crucial climate mitigation work.

If you are not a signatory to the letter but would still like to support, please consider sharing the link with your network.

News from the field

Find out the latest news from our flagship portfolio projects

Ntakata Mountains: Faraja Oswald Alberto quoted in open letter?

Faraja, Finance Officer at Ntakata Mountains, is quoted in the open letter in support of REDD+. She says: “Before the start of the Ntakata Mountains forest protection project, there was an invasion and massive clearing of forest areas. Our lands were badly damaged. After that, the community decided to make a plan for the best use of land and implemented a forest carbon project. Gradually, the environment began to improve as the community received carbon finance to support sustainable projects and forest conservation.” Read the full open letter to discover other quotes from community stakeholders.

DASH Water visits Blaston Farm

The team from Dash - a brand of flavoured water known for its fondness of 'wonky' fruit - took a trip to Blaston Farm. As a company with a keen interest in sustainability, DASH takes an interest in the soil carbon certificates generated through Blaston's regenerative agricultural methods. Speaking to DASH, Hylton Murray-Philipson, the farm's owner and Respira's advisor said;?"The really exciting thing about the soil that we are standing on is that you can make a difference between this year and next year - its [impacts are] immediate.”

Respira's news

NEW BLOG: When are carbon credits most effective?

Recently, we have seen more cases of criticism directed at carbon credits and those who use them. But this is not always justified; it is not the credits themselves which are to blame. They are simply a mechanism which – when used wisely – can drive action for climate and nature. So if it’s not the carbon credits themselves, then what can go wrong? Issues can arise during both the supply and the demand stages, so it’s important to understand what constitutes best practice. Read on to learn more.

Respira at the Forestry and Agriculture Investment Summit

On the 18th of May, our Director of Business Development, Will Close-Brooks, joined a panel at the Forestry and Agriculture Investment Summit. Rachel Nutter of Climate Impact Partners chaired the discussion as the panelists?considered how it is possible to maintain high integrity monitoring of forest carbon projects. They covered the latest in digital monitoring and evaluation and contemplated risks that could face future forest projects.

Dates for the diary

• Organised by City and Financial Global, the Biodiversity and Nature Markets Summit is set to take place in London on the 22nd May. With biodiversity loss posing a significant threat to businesses and financial institutions, it's essential we plan to protect our ecosystems.
• One of the years most important events for the voluntary carbon market is nearly here. Between the 23rd and the 25th May, Innovate4Climate will be held in Bilbao, Spain. Please reach out if you would like to connect with us there.
• On the?8th of June, our CEO Ana Haurie will be speaking on a panel at the Sylvera Carbon Markets Summit. The discussion will cover avoidance and removals credits and will be available virtually.

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Respira International is an impact-driven carbon finance business. Respira’s high-quality carbon credits allow corporations and financial institutions to mitigate their environmental impact. Respira channels private capital into climate solutions ensuring long-term relationships with trusted carbon project developers that enable its clients to use predominantly nature-based solutions to build sustainable, climate-positive businesses and portfolios. Respira’s team combines deep and varied experience working in global financial markets with a robust understanding of carbon project development in leading international conservation organisations. Respira operates with an innovative offtake and profit share model which reinvests back into local communities.