Bogotá, December 4, 2024. In continuing the commitment to protect biodiversity and face the challenges of climate change, Terrasos has developed Version 4 of the Protocol, a pioneering model that sets parameters for the issuance of Voluntary Biodiversity Units (Tebu) under international standards. This protocol not only addresses environmental needs but also incorporates a significant social component, ensuring comprehensive and sustainable implementation.

As a comprehensive model for conservation, the Terrasos Protocol assumes that a biodiversity unit represents approximately 10m² of a preserved and/or restored ecosystem, managed technically, financially, and legally. Its goal is to achieve quantifiable biodiversity results for at least 20 years, with potential extension up to 50 years. Projects implementing this protocol will be able to issue additional units if they positively impact threatened habitats, facilitate ecosystem dynamics for species, and protect or restore ecosystem services.

It is important to highlight that this new model emerges from the “Terrasos Biodiversity Unit” project, known as Tebu. This tool was created and developed by Terrasos in partnership with BID Lab and the Santo Domingo Foundation, with the support of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. This platform combines Biodiversity Credits with blockchain technology and represents a tangible impact on biodiversity through tailor-made solutions that contribute to ecosystem protection and help mitigate issues like biodiversity loss and climate change.

The Terrasos Protocol establishes a methodology to quantify and issue Tebu, considering five key factors: the level of ecosystem threat, the degree of ecological connectivity, community involvement, the relationship between preservation and restoration areas, and the project duration. This holistic approach ensures that conservation projects are sustainable and generate tangible benefits for biodiversity, aligned with the practices of responsible local communities.

One of the standout features of this Protocol, as mentioned, is the inclusion of a social factor designed to engage local communities in conservation efforts and stimulate the local economy. This strategy promotes active participation from communities in the protection of their ecosystems, strengthening conservation initiatives and generating long-term positive impacts.

The Protocol establishes the fundamental principles for structuring high-integrity projects. This includes a registration platform, which guarantees that buyers and interested parties can trace the units being traded, ensuring no double-counting of the units.

Additionally, to ensure technical and financial management, performance milestones are set for the project, allowing progress in project management and biodiversity gains to be demonstrated. This ensures technical rigor in the development of biodiversity projects. The management of this project will be validated and verified by independent third parties, who will approve the release and commercialization of units according to the established schedule through biannual monitoring. This results-based payment system will guarantee transparency in the project’s consolidation.

An Invitation to Collaborate

The V4 Protocol, in its Beta 4 version, is under constant review and improvement. Terrasos invites interested parties to download the document at www.terrasos.co/en/download-protocol/ and send their comments and suggestions to the  email address [email protected]. Collaboration and feedback from the scientific community and other stakeholders are key to strengthening this innovative protocol and ensuring its success in global biodiversity conservation.

 
To learn more about the Protocol, you can download the document through the following link:  https://www.terrasos.co/en/publications/