Characteristics of false solutions to the biodiversity and related systemic crises

This report by Friends of the Earth International outlines the characteristics of 'false solutions' to biodiversity and climate crises, specifically those involving the financialisation of nature. The document argues that these mechanisms, such as carbon credits and biodiversity offsets, do not address the root causes of environmental destruction but instead reinforce the dominant capitalist economic system and benefit corporations over local communities.

• False solutions rely on the concept of compensation, allowing an ecosystem to be destroyed if a similar area is preserved elsewhere. This is achieved through financial securities like carbon credits, which grant ownership over ecosystem functions (such as carbon capture) rather than the land itself, thereby creating restrictions on forest use.
• The report contends that putting a price on nature is impossible because it cannot reflect the spiritual, social, and cultural values of a site, nor the full range of biological functions like water purification and carbon sequestration.
• Financial mechanisms for pollution permits are used to expand existing environmental limits and dismantle public legislation. By promoting voluntary compliance and economic incentives over sanctions, these tools allow companies to avoid structural changes to their production methods.
• The 'financialisation of nature' creates new markets and businesses, such as consulting firms for verification and monitoring. This process redefines nature as 'natural capital,' treating it as a commodity to be bought and sold, which the report links to the 'green economy' or 'bio-economy'.
• The document describes a four-phase process of objectifying nature: first, viewing it as something to be bought and sold; second, defining it as a provider of 'services'; third, dividing it into units (such as separating genetic wealth via TRIPS patents); and fourth, fragmenting it by function to be traded on financial markets.
• False solutions often lead to the violation of the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The report cites REDD as an example where communities lose access to forests for firewood or spiritual activities, and describes a 'double land grab' where companies own both the site of pollution and the site of compensation.
• The report argues that these solutions are presented as complex and technical to depoliticise debate and exclude people from discussion, shifting the focus from the causes of destruction to the calculation of 'ecosystem services' units.

APA

Rojas, I. (2020). Characteristics of false solutions to the biodiversity and related systemic crises. Friends of the Earth International. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Characteristics-of-false-solutions-to-the-biodiversity-and-related-systemic-crises_Friends-of-the-Earth-International.pdf

Chicago

Rojas, Isaac. Characteristics of false solutions to the biodiversity and related systemic crises. Friends of the Earth International, 2020. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Characteristics-of-false-solutions-to-the-biodiversity-and-related-systemic-crises_Friends-of-the-Earth-International.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rojas |first1=Isaac |title=Characteristics of false solutions to the biodiversity and related systemic crises |publisher=Friends of the Earth International |date=December 2020 |url=https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Characteristics-of-false-solutions-to-the-biodiversity-and-related-systemic-crises_Friends-of-the-Earth-International.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rojas2020characteristics, author = {Rojas, Isaac}, title = {{Characteristics of false solutions to the biodiversity and related systemic crises}}, institution = {Friends of the Earth International}, year = {2020}, month = dec, url = {https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Characteristics-of-false-solutions-to-the-biodiversity-and-related-systemic-crises_Friends-of-the-Earth-International.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }