Pollinator Corridors, ecoACTIVE, Friends of the Earth, and Financial Models

At Grassroots City, the focus on impactful research is paramount. Recently, a significant research project exemplified the organisation’s ability to translate findings into actionable insights, contributing to a potential policy change in urban sustainability.

The project commenced with a commission from a colleague within the National Park City network, who was working for the charity ecoACTIVE. The request was to support a scoping project aimed at exploring long-term funding mechanisms for one of their flagship projects, funded by Friends of the Earth. The initiative was designed to develop a pollinator corridor through the borough of Hackney, in collaboration with local community groups and schools.

GRC's task was to conduct comprehensive research to identify sustainable funding mechanisms and explore scaling strategies for the pollinator corridor project. The primary objective was to ensure the project's long-term viability and its potential for expansion. The research focused on devising a robust funding strategy that would secure the necessary resources for the project's future.

An in-depth research project was conducted, concentrating on two primary income streams. The first involved leveraging the pollinator corridors as off-site habitat banks for Biodiversity Net Gain credits. This strategy aimed to capitalise on the increasing demand for biodiversity offsetting, ensuring that developers could invest in the pollinator corridors to meet their biodiversity obligations. The second income stream explored the potential of positioning the pollinator corridors as investable assets within the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) market. This approach intended to attract ESG-focused investors looking for high-integrity projects that offered substantial returns in terms of both ecological impact and financial performance.

To support these income streams, a monitoring and evaluation framework was developed, considering both ecological and social metrics. This framework was essential for demonstrating the project's impact and ensuring transparency and accountability. Additionally, an innovative financial token, named the 'BUZZ CODE,' was conceptualised. The BUZZ CODE represented a high-integrity financial instrument that businesses could invest in, ensuring their money supported integrated nature and development projects with a high return on investment in terms of offset costs.

The research project received positive feedback from ecoACTIVE and is currently under submission to Friends of the Earth. The proposed BUZZ CODE and the overall funding strategy are being considered for adoption, with the potential to significantly influence funding strategies for urban sustainability projects. The innovative approach demonstrated by GRC not only highlighted the feasibility of sustainable funding mechanisms but also showcased the potential for scaling such initiatives.

This research has the potential to transform the way urban sustainability projects are funded and managed, ensuring their long-term success and scalability. By identifying new income streams and developing innovative financial instruments, GRC has provided a blueprint for future projects aimed at enhancing urban biodiversity and sustainability.

The success of this research project underscores GRC’s expertise in conducting impactful research and translating findings into actionable strategies. It also highlights the organisation’s commitment to driving policy change and advancing urban sustainability through innovative and sustainable solutions. This project stands as a testament to GRC’s dedication to making a tangible impact on urban environments, ensuring that nature and people can thrive together in sustainable and resilient cities.