King, the company behind the popular Candy Crush game, has become the first to purchase biodiversity credits under the UK’s newly launched voluntary scheme. The company acquired 543 credits at approximately $66 (£50) per unit, supporting a nature restoration project in the South Downs National Park, Sussex.
Aerial view of the lush, green hills of South Downs National Park, Sussex. AI generated picture.
This groundbreaking project, led by Earthly, a London-based nature-tech firm, aims to transform low-quality arable land into broadleaf native woodland, enhancing biodiversity and connecting wildlife corridors across an 800-hectare site. The area is home to over 1,000 species, making it a critical conservation effort.
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Tim Slaney, interim CEO of the South Downs National Park Authority, emphasised the growing corporate interest in environmental integrity and national biodiversity targets. Vikki Leach, King’s Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of investing in the planet’s future.
Earthly’s scheme, the first of its kind in the UK, adheres to the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) biodiversity net gain policy. The credits represent secured areas that must be maintained for 30 years, ensuring long-term environmental benefits.
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As the scheme gains momentum, Earthly has begun discussions with other companies interested in purchasing biodiversity credits. The initiative follows the global push for nature-based solutions, highlighted by the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
DGB Group's large-scale nature-based carbon projects focus on conserving nature and offer companies nature-based solutions to reduce their carbon footprint while benefiting the environment and driving socio-economic growth. Collaborating with DGB goes beyond just carbon compensation, as it also promotes biodiversity, restores ecosystems, and supports the wellbeing of local communities.
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