Biodiversity certificates

This first part, led by the MNHN, aims to develop a method to identify and prioritize practices favorable to biodiversity for a given socio-ecosystem (defined by a type of land use and bioclimatic conditions). The method relies on participatory science: by mobilizing enough experts - practitioners, ecologists, naturalists, who i) define the good practices to be implemented for a given socio-ecosystem and ii) rank these practices against each other on a scale of biodiversity gain (from min to max), we obtain a reference ranking and a biodiversity score for each practice. A first proof of concept was carried out in 2025, on two socio-ecosystems: arable land and managed forests, in Western Europe temperate climate. This part continues in January 2026, with other developments planned. More information on the Puzzling biodiversity website : https://www.puzzling-biodiversity.org/fr/

This second part, led by Carbone 4, aims to define the framework for implementing biodiversity certificates or credits at the territorial scale, to attract more private investments towards the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. A pilot project starts in January 2026, for a duration of 18 months, with the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region and the Grand Est Region. Ten deliverables will be produced in open access in the framework of this pilot to provide recommendations, notably on the following objects: overall vision of the device, governance, operational protocol for implementation, standards for supply and demand, market rules, methods for measuring biodiversity gains.