The European Commission will "soon" outline the next steps to establish a nature credit market — bonuses for those who protect the environment — aimed at boosting investments in favor of nature, EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall confirmed at the Global Solutions Summit 2025 in Berlin, reiterating the Commission's commitment to working with "farmers, businesses, civil society, banks, institutions, and international partners." Following in the footsteps of the carbon emissions trading system (ETS), Brussels is now aiming to create a framework for green bonuses.
According to an "optimistic" scenario outlined by the World Economic Forum, "nature credits" could generate around €180 billion globally by 2050.
However, the European Commission expects a slow start and, as Roswall pointed out, the commitment of financial institutions remains a major question mark.
The EU executive is already working with the United Nations "to define a global standard for nature credits." This, the Commissioner explained, is necessary "to prevent greenwashing practices." The idea of using credits as an economic incentive to promote nature conservation was first mentioned by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in September during her speech at the Nature Conference in Munich.
