Description:

TL;DR: The Sovereign Nature Initiative (SNI) aims to revolutionise funding for biodiversity through digital innovation. Our project, in collaboration with Hypercerts, develops blockchain-certified proofs of ecological contributions, fostering transparent and sustainable conservation funding.

Proposal:

Introduction: We at the Sovereign Nature Initiative (SNI) are dedicated to reshaping the economics of ecology by pioneering funding mechanisms that support global biodiversity restoration. This grant will help expand our innovative project using Hypercerts technology to create verifiable digital assets linked to real-world ecological contributions.

Purpose of the Project: The “SNI x Hypercerts Proof-of-Ecological-Contribution" project, a collaboration between SNI and Hypercerts, aims to integrate ecological data into crypto assets. Leveraging Hypercerts' protocol, this initiative focuses on developing a Proof of Ecological Contribution (PoEC) hypercert to tokenize and track ecological commitments. The project involves onboarding eco-data by our trusted biodiversity stewards, connecting it to digital assets and integrating it with Hypercerts biodiversity impact tracing. The goal is to develop a plugin for community members who would like to root their assets in biodiversity restoration in an easy, yet highly transparent and engaging way.

Use of Funds: Funds will be allocated to:

1. Development and integration of the Hypercerts protocol with our DEEP and REAL platforms.
2. Onboarding and training of biodiversity stewards to use our digital tools.
3. Marketing and community engagement to promote the adoption of Proof of Ecological Contribution Hypercerts.

Project Update: To date, we have successfully tested preliminary integrations with our DEEP and REAL platforms and have formed partnerships with key ecological stewards and companies such as WalletConnect, Engie and Moonsama. Despite challenges such as technological integration complexities and the need for extensive steward training, progress is on track, with promising preliminary results.

Project Team: Our team comprises experts in blockchain technology, ecological conservation, and digital marketing. Key members include:

• Project Team:
• Dr. Andrea Leiter, our Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), specialises in sustainable global economic law, providing a strong foundation for governance frameworks that enhance ecological conservation.
• Ewald Hesse, a member of our supervisory board, brings extensive experience in blockchain technology, ensuring robust, transparent, and secure digital transactions.
• Catherine Bischoff, CEO, leverages her global business development and marketing expertise to lead initiatives within startups and large corporations, focusing on technology-driven, community-centric strategies.
• Vadim Smakhtin, Head of Product, specialises in landscape architecture and uses big data to innovate on how ecological data can be visualised and utilised, improving the interaction between digital platforms and ecological impacts.
• Alessandro Mazzi, Head of Partnerships and Field Research, a PhD candidate in political ecology, applies his deep understanding of environmental law and blockchain technology to bridge the gap between ecological stewardship and technological innovation.
• Rica Amaral, Marketing Manager, brings his experience as a creative strategist at the intersection of Web3 and regenerative finance, further enhancing our project’s outreach and impact through innovative marketing strategies.
• Beth McCarthy, our Web3 Researcher, focuses on designing digital public goods and regenerative systems, enhancing the project’s approach to sustainable digital solutions.

More Details: At the Sovereign Nature Initiative, our goal is to reconfigure the economics of ecology by finding ways to fund and expand projects that sustain life on our planet. Currently, most ecological stewarding projects are severely underfunded. Biodiversity restoration primarily relies on donations, and funding from philanthropists, public institutions, and other donors. Private voluntary contributions toward nature-positive efforts, also known as “private investments in nature”, play a key role in addressing this funding gap.

We developed the Decentralised Ecological Economics Protocol (DEEP) together with the Registry for Ecological Asset Linking (REAL) to ensure that private commitments are valuable, and eventually become a key mode for contributing to the restoration of biodiversity worldwide. Our protocol and interface allow us to effectively integrate data about ecological impact with the digital realm. This approach generates new funding streams while imbuing digital assets with tangible and real-life significance. Critically, our approach allows ecological stewards to market their work without impeding their on-site efforts, ensuring a harmonious balance between financial viability and biodiversity restoration. Our collaboration with Hypercerts is a continuation of our commitment to innovation in the conservation sector.

Get Involved: Join our mission to make a tangible impact on global biodiversity:

• Connect Eco-data to your project!
• Engage with us on Discord
• Learn more and support our ongoing efforts at Sovereign Nature Initiative