SODA CLASS 002 - Biodiversity
Protect life’s variety, prove it. Real outcomes, proven first, claimed once, and easy to verify.
Biodiversity
SODA-002 recognises one year of biodiversity outcomes using the bio-year (by). Sub-classes translate different kinds of nature gains into comparable units: 002IYP Individual-Year-of-Protection, 002BHY Biodiversity-Hectare-Year, 002G Genetic Integrity, and 002F Functional Integrity. Issuance is ex-post only.
Targeted impact: Safeguard threatened species, strengthen habitats, and keep ecosystem functions working -quantified, verified, and easy to communicate.
Why the SODA Standard matters here?
- Evidence-first: Projects document objectives, indicators and monitoring, with verification before any unit is minted.
- Organisational fit: The Class aligns with the emerging organisational approach to biodiversity strategy, indicators and disclosure.
- One claim per unit: Prevents re-use of the same nature outcome across multiple narratives.
Note: SODA-002 is not a biodiversity offset regime; it evidences outcomes and claims. Where “offset” language is used, it must be legally permitted and precisely described.
Sub-classes:
002IYP - Individual Year of Protection
- Outline: One protected individual (or equivalent effort) for one year, e.g., nest guarding, anti-poaching, invasive control.
- Where it applies: Species-level conservation programs.
002BHY - Biodiversity Hectare-Year
- Outline: One hectare of native habitat maintained or improved above a method threshold for one year.
- Where it applies: Habitat restoration, fencing and managed grazing, weed and fire management.
002G - Genetic Integrity
- Outline: Actions that preserve or restore genetic diversity (e.g., seed banking strategies, genetic rescue under strict protocols).
- Where it applies: Threatened flora/fauna with documented genetic risk.
002F - Functional Integrity
- Outline: Measures that protect or restore keystone ecosystem functions (e.g., pollination services, trophic balance) backed by robust indicators.
- Where it applies: Landscapes where function (not just area) is the limiting factor.
Claims guardrails: Be specific about what improved (species protected, hectares in condition, function restored), where, and for how long. Link to the registry record so others can see the evidence.