The Roadmap aims at helping close the current gap in ecological investment. Nature credits will serve as an additional, voluntary funding source to supplement existing public biodiversity financing and support actions that benefit nature. The Roadmap seeks to establish clear standards and credible certification processes for these nature-positive efforts, ensuring that nature credits are both effective and trustworthy, while minimising administrative hurdles for participants since it is built on existing standards.
The EU has pledged to dedicate 10% of its budget to biodiversity by 2026–2027 and to double its external biodiversity funding to €7 billion. Given the estimated €65 billion needed each year for biodiversity investments, combining public and private funding will be crucial to achieving it. Nature credits can incentivise private investment in nature-positive actions, recognising efforts beyond legal requirements.
Member States could use nature credits to acknowledge contributions to national and international biodiversity goals, such as those under the Nature Restoration Regulation or the Global Biodiversity Framework. These credits could also support sustainability reporting, green financing, and result-based payments.
To ensure credibility, strict criteria, strong governance, and transparency are essential. Certification ensures quality control and structures interventions, while credits turn validated improvements into tradable units.
