Planet Money
The habitat banker
Dec 20, 2024
Mauricio Serna, a Colombian entrepreneur and conservationist, is on a mission to create biodiversity credits aimed at restoring cloud forests. He shares how his family's land used to be a cattle ranch and how he aims to turn it back into a thriving habitat for endangered species. The conversation reveals the mechanics of biodiversity credits and their potential for environmental conservation while also addressing skepticism around their effectiveness. Serna’s innovative approach underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions amid widespread habitat destruction.
33:02
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Quick takeaways
- Biodiversity credits serve as a new financial instrument aimed at mitigating habitat destruction while promoting corporate social responsibility for sustainability.
- Mauricio Serna's journey illustrates the challenges of transitioning from conservation goals to creating a marketable product in the corporate world.
Deep dives
New Financial Instrument: Biodiversity Credits
Biodiversity credits are introduced as a new financial instrument aimed at addressing biodiversity loss, which is a pressing issue with over a million species at risk of extinction. The concept mirrors carbon credits but focuses on protecting ecosystems instead of reducing carbon emissions. By creating a market for these credits, companies can invest in conservation efforts while also enhancing their sustainability image. This approach hopes to appeal to corporate social responsibility by allowing businesses to claim they are contributing to environmental protection.
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