Nature Stewardship Framework

A holistic path to resilient ecosystem restoration

The Nature Stewardship Framework offers a comprehensive approach to conserve biodiversity, enhance local livelihoods, and strengthen governance in nature-based projects. At its core is a unique environmental asset—the Nature Stewardship Credit (NSC)—which quantifies the sustainable management of one hectare of natural ecosystem per year, ensuring long-term ecological and socio-economic benefits.

How Nature Stewardship Credits Work
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A Holistic Approach to Nature-Based Solutions

  • Stylized graphic of a flower with three large leaves, a yellow center, and a green circular border around it.

    Restoring and Conserving Habitats

    Promoting the restoration of degraded lands and the preservation of pristine ecosystems, safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services.

  • Stylized illustration of a nature scene with mountains, bees, and lush green leaves.

    Biodiversity Monitoring

    Monitoring habitat health and species diversity through robust indices, providing clear, measurable evidence of biodiversity improvements over time.

  • Illustration of diverse people harvesting and enjoying a lush tropical garden with large trees and green plants.

    Sustainable Livelihoods for Communities

    Empowering communities by creating jobs, improving well-being, supporting equitable resource sharing, and promoting long-term economic resilience.

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How Nature Stewardship Credits Work

Venn diagram showing the overlap between Biodiversity, Socio-Economic, and Governance.

1. Calculate Nature Stewardship Index

Calculate your project’s Nature Stewardship Index, an index consisting of three sub-indices, uploading evidence through the Social Carbon Portal:

  • Biodiversity: Measures habitat and species health.

  • Socio-Economic: Measures community benefits, including job creation and collectively agreed social outcomes, such as cultural heritage preservation.

  • Governance: Ensures transparent, adaptive, and equitable resource management.

The Australian Wildlife logo features a yellow circle with black silhouettes of various native animals, including a bird, kangaroo, wombat, platypus, and koala, set against a green background decorated with leafy motifs.

3. Issuance of NSCs

When approved, the project will be authorised to issue Nature Stewardship Credits (NSCs) on the SOCIALCARBON Registry, generating a unique, fungible token for each NSC on our blockchain secured registry.

NSCs = Nature Stewardship Index x Hectares restored/conserved

2. Verification of Impact

The project results are independently verified by an approved Validation and Verification body (VVB).

The Social Carbon Foundation team will review the documentation and VVB report, prior to approving any issuance of Nature Stewardship Credits (NSCs).

Illustration of five gold coins with the letters "NSC" in the center, surrounded by green leaves and yellow-orange abstract shapes.

What Makes the Framework Unique

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    Holistic

    The framework reflects the multi-faceted aspects of nature-based projects, quantifying biodiversity, socio-economic and governance metrics.

  • A pie chart divided into three sections with light blue, dark blue, and green colors.

    Inclusive

    Projects using the framework actively restore degraded habitats while conserving pristine ecosystems, ensuring a balanced focus on nature's full spectrum.

  • Diagram of a molecule with one central green hexagon connected to three yellow hexagons and one green hexagon.

    Modular

    The framework’s flexibility allows NSCs to function as standalone credits or integrate with carbon projects, enhancing their value and adaptability.

  • A geometric logo with interconnected 3D blocks in blue, green, white, and yellow, forming an abstract shape.

    Project-Specific

    Projects co-select Social indicators with the local communities so they are locally-relevant.

  • Abstract geometric design with interconnected shapes in various shades of blue

    Promoting Excellent Governance

    Transparent, inclusive, and adaptive governance ensures accountability and long-term success in managing natural resources.

  • A logo featuring a hexagonal outline with a yellow three-dimensional box inside

    Empowering Communities

    The framework prioritizes Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs), ensuring they benefit through equitable resource sharing, improved well-being, job creation, and strengthened local governance.

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Interested in developing a project or in collaborating with us - connect with us!

Frequently asked questions

  • NSCs are innovative environmental credits to raise funding for natural ecosystem restoration and/or conservation. They measure and reward biodiversity conservation, socio-economic impact, and governance into a standardised unit.

  • Carbon credits focus on emissions reduction and/or sequestration. Nature Stewardship Credits focus on conserving biodiversity, enhancing local livelihoods and strengthening governance in nature-based projects.

  • Anyone from conservationists, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs), to investors and organisations wanting to buy buy biodiversity credits can engage in projects, provided they align with its principles of inclusivity, sustainability, and accountability.

  • Yes, NSC’s are designed to be modular, they can be standalone credits or they can integrate with carbon projects to track and reward additional benefits like biodiversity and social outcomes.

  • NSC projects range from restoring degraded lands and protecting pristine ecosystems to initiatives that conserve and/or enhance biodiversity, sustainable livelihoods, and strong local governance frameworks.

  • No, NSCs are not intended to function as offsets. NSCs do not compensate for negative environmental impacts or biodiversity loss. Instead, they are designed to reward positive contributions, such as ecosystem restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and socio-economic benefits. This ensures that the unique value of biodiversity and community well-being is recognised and preserved, rather than being treated as interchangeable or replaceable.