A new initiative to support biodiversity has been launched. Voluntary biodiversity credits (VBC) work in a similar way to carbon credits, helping address a UK that has become one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.

Created by Earthly, the first project is within the South Downs National Park and the first buyer is the entertainment company behind the Candy Crush franchise.

Earthly's voluntary biodiversity credits, which represent 3x3m squares of land, secured for 30 years, are based on the government's Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units, which gives the credits a transparent framework. Earthly has also created a biodiversity credit ledger to record all credits purchased and avoid double-counting.

"With the UK ranking among the most nature-depleted countries, it's great to see companies such as King taking a leading role in exploring how new mechanisms such as this can help support nature restoration. We hope that over the long term, other businesses will start to account for their impact on nature and support projects like this," said Lorenzo Curci, CCO, Earthly.

Earthly has been collaboratively working with Candy Crush creator King for the last two years, with the company having purchased around 543 voluntary biodiversity units.

---