Nature-based Solutions

New Zealand Government Issues Guidance For Voluntary Carbon And Nature Markets

New Zealand has issued updated guidance, an applicant guide, and online tools to steer participation in voluntary carbon and nature markets and carbon removal projects, clarifying expectations for high‑integrity credits and alignment with international climate frameworks. This gives investors, project developers, and corporates clearer guardrails for using voluntary credits alongside emissions reductions, reducing greenwashing risk while supporting financing for credible nature‑based and technological mitigation projects.

16 May 2026, 08:55environment.govt.nzNew Zealand

New Zealand Government Launches Assurance Framework for Voluntary Nature and Carbon Markets

New Zealand has announced a new assurance and endorsement framework to grow trusted voluntary nature and carbon markets, including recognition of high-quality international schemes, an opt-in domestic pathway and new access for privately funded projects on public conservation land from later in 2026. This signals stronger government backing for voluntary environmental credit markets while keeping participation non-regulatory, shaping where private capital will flow for New Zealand-based nature and carbon projects and influencing future corporate offsetting and ESG strategies.

13 May 2026, 19:03beehive.govt.nzNew Zealand

Virginia Enacts Wetlands and Flood Resilience Laws (HB 237, HB 521, HB 390, HB 1266, HB 70)

Virginia has enacted a package of 2026 laws strengthening wetlands protection, coastal flood resilience and environmental justice outreach, including requirements to map marsh migration corridors, offset tidal wetlands loss and prioritise nature-based resilience funding for low-income communities. These measures will push developers, localities and state agencies in coastal Virginia to factor sea-level rise, cumulative environmental impacts and nature-based mitigation into permitting and investment decisions, as funding and oversight increasingly favour projects that protect wetlands and vulnerable communities.

9 May 2026, 13:26lis.virginia.govUnited States

German Environment Ministry Opens Public Consultation on National Nature Restoration Plan

Germany’s Federal Environment Ministry has opened a two-month online public consultation on the draft National Nature Restoration Plan implementing the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. The consultation will shape Germany’s restoration priorities through 2030 and beyond, signalling future policy direction on land use, biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration that businesses should monitor.

29 Apr 2026, 12:11bundesumweltministerium.deGermany

Netherlands Cabinet Responds to Verkenning Natuurinclusief and Plans Nature-Inclusive Policy Framework

In April 2026 the Dutch government endorsed the Verkenning Natuurinclusief advisory and set out a timetable to develop an intergovernmental nature-inclusive policy framework and implementation plan aligned with EU nature and water law through 2027. This signals that while no new sectoral obligations (for example on pesticides or fertilisers) arise yet, companies operating in the Netherlands should expect future spatial and land-use requirements that embed biodiversity and ecosystem objectives more deeply into housing, agriculture and infrastructure decisions.

28 Apr 2026, 18:18open.overheid.nlNetherlands

Colorado Enacts HB26-1205 To Align State Forest Service Good Neighbor Authority With Federal EXPLORE Act

Colorado has enacted HB26-1205 to update state forest statutes so the Colorado State Forest Service can fully use the EXPLORE Act’s expanded Good Neighbor Authority with federal land agencies, with the law taking effect in August 2026. This broadens state–federal contracting pathways for forest health, wildfire-risk reduction, habitat, and recreation projects rather than imposing new direct obligations on private operators, but it may shift where work is commissioned and how land-management projects are structured.

21 Apr 2026, 11:55leg.colorado.govUnited States

BSI Releases Nature Market Standards for Biodiversity and Nutrients and Opens Community Engagement Consultation

BSI has launched new high-integrity standards for UK biodiversity and nutrient credit markets to provide a consistent framework for nature-based investments. These standards establish the benchmark for verified nature credits, helping businesses mitigate greenwashing risks and align with government nature recovery ambitions.

5 Apr 2026, 19:05bsigroup.comUnited Kingdom

EU JRC Knowledge Synthesis on Green Roofs and Walls for Nature Restoration Regulation

The EU Joint Research Centre has released guidance on green roofs and walls to support urban restoration targets under the Nature Restoration Regulation. This synthesis signals a shift toward standardized urban greening, likely influencing future building design requirements and sustainable infrastructure investment.

4 Apr 2026, 10:56publications.jrc.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Wales Publishes Section 7 Biodiversity Duty Guidance for Public Authorities

The Welsh Government has issued updated guidance and priority species lists to strengthen statutory biodiversity duties for public authorities. These standards will increasingly dictate land-use planning conditions, procurement criteria, and environmental impact requirements for private sector projects in Wales.

3 Apr 2026, 18:22gov.walesUnited Kingdom

Netherlands RIVM Publishes Scenario Study on Climate Risks to Drinking-Water Supply in 2050 and 2100

The Dutch RIVM has published a long-term scenario study identifying critical climate-driven risks to the national drinking water supply through 2100. Companies should prepare for future regulatory constraints on water abstraction, potential supply interruptions during droughts, and mandatory technical standards for water efficiency in facilities.

3 Apr 2026, 17:56rivm.nlNetherlands

California CARB Webinar On 2025 Natural And Working Lands Carbon Inventory Update

CARB has released the 2025 Natural and Working Lands Carbon Inventory showing a 4 percent decline in carbon stocks driven by wildfires and land-use changes. This data will underpin future nature-based climate targets and influence corporate carbon-offset strategies and land-management policies in California.

1 Apr 2026, 19:02ww2.arb.ca.govUnited States

EU Commission Issues Guidance on Adapting Natura 2000 Sites to Climate Change

The European Commission issued new guidance in March 2026 to align Natura 2000 site management with climate adaptation goals under existing nature directives. Businesses should anticipate more dynamic conservation requirements and potential site boundary shifts that could complicate permitting and land-use planning for projects near protected areas.

31 Mar 2026, 19:10environment.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

UK DESNZ Publishes Summary of Responses on Voluntary Carbon and Nature Markets Integrity

The UK government published stakeholder feedback on voluntary carbon and nature market integrity, with a formal policy response expected by Summer 2026. Businesses should prepare for standardized requirements for carbon credit quality and environmental claims to mitigate greenwashing risks and ensure reporting alignment.

28 Mar 2026, 15:48gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Austria Maps River Renaturation Targets For EU Nature Restoration Regulation In WISA "Free Flowing Rivers" Atlas

Austria has launched the WISA Free Flowing Rivers atlas to identify priority zones for barrier removal and river restoration under the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. Infrastructure operators in the energy and water sectors should use this mapping to assess site-specific regulatory risks and anticipate future ecological permit requirements.

28 Mar 2026, 09:01maps.wisa.bmluk.gv.atAustriaEuropean Union

Minnesota Senate Introduces SF 4911 To Modify Wetland Replacement Siting Rules

Minnesota introduced SF 4911 in March 2026 to revise siting and priority requirements for wetland replacement and banking. This proposal could shift geographic constraints and cost structures for project developers required to offset wetland impacts within the state.

27 Mar 2026, 20:51revisor.mn.govUnited States

SETAC Highlights Evidence on Climate Change Impacts on Environmental Antimicrobial Resistance

A March 2026 scientific commentary identifies climate change as a primary driver for environmental antimicrobial resistance, urging global integration of climate and health policies. Businesses should anticipate more stringent wastewater discharge limits and expanded environmental monitoring requirements as regulators adopt One Health frameworks to mitigate AMR risks.

27 Mar 2026, 20:42setac.orgGlobalEuropean UnionUnited Kingdom

Schleswig-Holstein: Three New Baltic Sea Marine Protected Areas Enter Into Force

Schleswig-Holstein has established three new Baltic Sea marine protected areas effective March 2026, significantly expanding strict conservation zones. Prohibitions on commercial fishing, raw material extraction, and marine construction signal increasing regulatory constraints on maritime industrial activities to meet 2030 biodiversity targets.

27 Mar 2026, 11:53schleswig-holstein.deGermany

Germany Adopts Climate Protection Programme 2026 to Close 2030 Emissions Gap

Germany has adopted the Climate Protection Programme 2026, a 67-measure roadmap to bridge the 25-million-tonne CO2 gap for 2030 climate targets. Businesses should anticipate sector-specific regulatory shifts, including revised packaging laws, industrial electrification subsidies, and stricter greenhouse gas quotas for transport.

27 Mar 2026, 08:37bundesumweltministerium.deGermany

Defra Publishes Government Response on Private Sector Role in Nature Recovery in England

Defra has confirmed a shift from voluntary nature recovery toward mandatory regulatory levers, disclosure standards, and high-integrity nature markets in England. Businesses should prepare for increased integration of nature-related financial disclosures and the expansion of polluter-pays principles across water, carbon, and circular economy frameworks.

26 Mar 2026, 19:22gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Hawaii Senate WLA Committee Schedules Hearing on Aquatic Protection Bill HB2599 HD1

Hawaii is advancing legislation to mandate ecosystem-based management and coral reef resilience goals for state aquatic resources. This shift toward prioritized ecosystem integrity signals stricter future standards for coastal development and resource extraction permits.

25 Mar 2026, 21:45capitol.hawaii.govUnited States