PhD student: Mr M.G. van Esterik

Promotors: Prof E. Brans, Dr H.K. Gilissen

Duration: 1/9/2023 - 31/8/2027

Abstract:

According to recent IPBES and EEA reports there has been a major loss of biodiversity worldwide, including in the EU. According to the latest UNEP Emission Gap report, the emission reduction targets submitted following the Paris Accord are not enough to limit global warming to 2⁰C., let alone 1.5⁰C, with severe impacts on biodiversity and human wellbeing. Thus, additional measures are necessary. One of the measures proposed by the EC to achieve the new 55% reduction of net emissions-target is, is enhancing negative emissions. That can be done by NBS such as increasing the capacity of forests, croplands, wetlands and water bodies to store and/or sequester CO2. Another type of measures considered is to better protect and restore carbon-rich sources, such as peatlands, so that CO2 already stored is not emitted. Recently, the EC proposed a regulatory framework aimed at the certification of projects that result in sustainable carbon removal and storage (COM(2022) 672 final). One of the instruments considered is the introduction and trade in carbon credits. An advantage thereof is that it gives companies and others the opportunity to compensate for unavoidable CO2 emissions by investing in biodiversity restoration projects. Because negative emissions becoming part of the climate targets of the EU and its member states, it is even more important to legally safeguard the effectiveness of biodiversity restoration projects financed with carbon credits.