Have your say on credit system to incentivise protection of biodiversity
The Government is exploring whether a biodiversity credit system could help to incentivise the protection and restoration of native wildlife in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Many farmers, landowners, and tangata whenua invest time and resources in protecting indigenous biodiversity on their land. Despite their efforts, thousands of native species are at risk of extinction.
A biodiversity credit system would help to conserve habitats and species by enabling landowners, who protect and restore native wildlife, to earn credits for their actions.
Private companies, charities, investors, philanthropists, and others who wish to support biodiversity protection would be able to buy biodiversity credits from landowners.
Biodiversity credit systems are being developed overseas and in Aotearoa New Zealand.
There is interest across different sectors in establishing a system here to support wildlife protection by farmers, landowners, tangata whenua, and local and central government.
Activities the system could support include:
- protecting or re-establishing forests
- restoring wetlands
- planting native trees and shrubs
- creating buffer zones near protected habitats
- connecting wildlife corridors.