Bogotá, August 13, 2024

Conexión Jaguar, ISA's sustainability program, has provided financial support to the management plan of the El Globo Habitat Bank (BHG) project, developed by Terrasos, which is the first habitat bank in Colombia to issue biodiversity credits. The contribution will focus on the conservation and restoration of 16,250m² of cloud forest located in Támesis, Antioquia. The objective is to protect 6 water sources, 290 species of birds, 8 amphibians, 24 reptiles, 12 fish, 29 butterflies, and 76 mammals.

 

The cloud forest is an ecosystem that represents one of Colombia's most valuable natural assets. One such area is situated in the foothills of the Cordillera Occidental, within the jurisdictions of the municipalities of Támesis and Jardín (Antioquia), at elevations between 2,400 and 2,800 meters above sea level.

The ecosystem is a global priority due to the richness of fauna and flora species, some of them endemic, especially epiphytes (plants that grow on another plant or object as a support), vascular and non-vascular plants. Furthermore, the cloud forest fragments in the Bosque de Hábitat Bosque de Niebla - El Globo (BHG) project are crucial for water regulation, carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling, helping to counteract habitat loss and fragmentation.

"The acquisition of these Voluntary Biodiversity Credits is proof of our dedication to being among the first companies to take concrete and verifiable actions to achieve Positive Nature goals, thereby reducing the financial gap for biodiversity conservation," stated Juan Fernando Patiño, leader of the Conexión Jaguar program.

Mariana Sarmiento, CEO of Terrasos, outlined the composition of Biodiversity Units. "They are a type of voluntary biodiversity credit, serving as a financing mechanism for biodiversity projects. This mechanism allows both companies and individuals to contribute in a simple, fast, and reliable way to the protection of nature. Having ISA and its Jaguar Connection program as an ally represents a very clear indication that the private sector values biodiversity protection through a traceable, transparent, and high-integrity instrument."

About Habitat Banks

These conservation areas are dedicated to the preservation and restoration of threatened ecosystems. As an innovative financing instrument, Habitat Banks can issue and market Biodiversity Credits to efficiently and effectively finance biodiversity conservation.

 

On Biodiversity Credits or Biodiversity Units, compensation mechanisms and positive investments.

 

The Protocol for the Issuance of Voluntary Biodiversity Credits is a pioneering initiative in Latin America and globally, uniting diverse stakeholders to advance exceptional conservation projects in the emerging voluntary biodiversity market. This protocol enables the purchase of 10 m² of threatened ecosystems, ensuring their conservation for 30 years under rigorous technical, financial, and legal standards.

Terrasos has developed a protocol that serves as a reliable methodological tool for ensuring the quality of Voluntary Biodiversity Credits. The protocol is based on key principles, including traceability, permanence, rigor, transparency, and additionality.

The acquisition of these credits does not offset negative impacts; rather, it makes a positive contribution to biodiversity in the long term through voluntary contributions. These investments ensure climate change mitigation, improved species resilience, and reduced ecosystem fragmentation, among other benefits.

Each transaction is recorded on Biotrust, a digital platform developed by XM that uses blockchain technology to keep track of each unit purchased. This decentralized accounting technology allows users to consult the public record and verify its immutability.

Terrasos' objective is to develop outstanding conservation projects in Colombia's most endangered ecosystems. The company offers a comprehensive range of expertise, including technical, financial, and regional knowledge, as well as a commitment to long-term involvement.

About Jaguar Connection

Conexión Jaguar is the sustainability program of ISA and its companies. It is designed to contribute to biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and the development of rural communities in Latin America. The program provides technical and economic support to implement financial instruments for the conservation and restoration of the best forestry initiatives, such as carbon credits and now biodiversity credits.

 

ISA is committed to supporting the development of the nascent market for biodiversity credits through its participation in the Bosque de Hábitat Bosque de Niebla - El Globo (BHG) project. This includes providing support for the implementation of project activities and the acquisition of 1,650 biodiversity credits. The 16,250 m² of forest are to be conserved on a voluntary basis for 30 years, as well as the species that inhabit the forest, such as the yellow-eared parrot, the tropical screech-owl, and the andean or spectacled bear.

Conexión Jaguar is currently accepting applications for its forestry project program. The organization is also seeking technical and economic partners to support and expand its current portfolio of projects.

About Terrasos:

This Colombian company specializes in the structuring and operation of environmental investments. Its work is focused on four main areas: environmental compensation and investments, impact analysis, development of intervention strategies, and information management. Its activities are based on the principle of sustainable development, with the goal of achieving a balance between the economic, social, and environmental functionality of the territory. The company also collaborates with public and private entities in the design and implementation of natural resource management and sustainability strategies.

 

As of December 2016, the first Habitat Bank was implemented in the department of Meta, in the sub-basin of the Metica River. It manages and conserves approximately 600 hectares of strategic ecosystems. Currently, Terrasos has twelve (12) Habitat Banks registered with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. They are located in the regions of the departments of Meta, Antioquia, Cesar, and Casanare.