Wyss Academy for Nature at the University of Bern

EU Legislative Interests

As per decision communicated to us on 19.11.2025 by the EU Nature Credits Team, we have received confirmation that we have been selected to be a member (Typ C) in the EU Expert Group on Nature Credits. The first meeting of this expert group will be held on 12.12.2025 and our representative is: Mr Marcel Walti Rettenmund. This will mark our first ever participation within an EU policy-related process. We are convinced that our hands-on experience and participatory approach are essential for the success of the EU Expert Group on Nature Credits. Through the participation in the expert group of a member of our organization, we aim to contribute proven methodologies, practical tools for monitoring and verification, and lessons from diverse contexts—helping ensure that Nature Credits are not only scientifically rigorous and transparent, but also equitable and implementable at scale. More specifically, below is a list of our experience, which will be the basis for the inputs that we will share within the Expert group (as communicated in our application): With 89 projects worldwide, the Wyss Academy for Nature brings together researchers, local knowledge holders, and stakeholders to co-develop solutions that benefit both people and nature. We combine scientific research, policy engagement, and practice-based implementation to advance high-integrity, inclusive approaches to nature-positive action, and our competence spans all the requested domains: General knowledge on nature certification and credits: We have designed and co-implemented multi-partner ecosystem restoration initiatives in Switzerland, Peru, Kenya, and Madagascar, providing on-the-ground experience with incentive schemes and nature-based markets. We actively contribute to international and Swiss policy dialogues on nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, and environmental governance, drawing on both economic theory and practical evidence. Biodiversity assessment, monitoring and reporting: We have developed impact-oriented monitoring frameworks for ecological and socio-economic indicators across our hubs. These integrate geospatial tools (e.g. remote sensing), citizen science, and community-based observation, ensuring that data is scientifically robust, scalable, and locally relevant. Certification methodologies and verification: Our interdisciplinary Payment for Ecosystems Services (PES) project is creating a multidimensional MRV framework for PES and carbon projects. By incorporating biodiversity and social indicators alongside carbon accounting, the framework ensures certification processes are transparent, equitable, and aligned with high-integrity verification standards. Market building and infrastructure: We build inclusive processes that integrate local knowledge and priorities into ecological monitoring and land-use governance, ensuring outcomes are socially legitimate and locally owned. We also lead capacity-building processes with local communities, universities, and policymakers to translate scientific findings into actionable strategies. Together with our partner OpenForests, which provides digital infrastructure for registries and MRV systems, we connect participatory governance with technological innovation to support transparent and effective market development.

Communication Activities

In the past, we have been active in the policy dialogue on the implementation of the EUDR in Switzerland. While, this is related to an EU policy, our work was focused on the policy process in Switzerland and did not have a direct influence on the EU policy level itself. The outcomes of the process and work that we carried out was published and can be found here: https://www.datocms-assets.com/143739/1742480178-wa_cde_sozialvertragliche-umsetzung-der-eu-entwaldungsverordnung-in-der-schweiz_diskursanalyse-und-konkreter-rechtsvorschlag_final-2.pdf

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Member Of

Swiss CleanTech Association Suisse-ONU SDSN Chatham House Transparency International CINFO Swiss Centre of Competence for International Cooperation The Club of Rome

Organisation Members

https://www.wyssacademy.org/en/about-us/funders-and-partners

Additional Information

All financial information is publicly available in our Annual Financial Report: https://annualreport.wyssacademy.org/sites/default/files/2024-05/2405_Wyss_Academy_Financial_Report_2023_coLAB_FINAL_ENGLISH.pdf