Wallacea Trust Methodology
A practical framework for measuring nature recovery
The Wallacea Trust Methodology provides a clear, science-based way to measure biodiversity improvements across ecosystems worldwide.
Our Mission
Each year, almost $1 trillion flows through global carbon markets, yet relatively little of this funding reaches projects focused on nature. This is partly due to a lack of widely accepted methods for measuring biodiversity outcomes.
In 2021, a group of stakeholders from across sectors came together to address this challenge. The result was a globally applicable methodology, designed to be scientifically robust while remaining accessible to non-specialists.
Led by project developers rePLANET, the group chose to prioritise impact over profit, donating the methodology to the Wallacea Trust on the basis that it would remain freely available. This became the Wallacea Trust Methodology, which is now widely used to measure nature improvements linked to restoration and conservation initiatives.
What We Do
The Wallacea Trust Methodology provides a framework that can be applied across ecosystems and geographies. It enables organisations to assess biodiversity outcomes in a consistent and transparent way.
Because it was designed as a flexible framework, it has been adopted by a wide range of organisations globally. It supports both restoration and protection projects, helping to demonstrate the real impact of investment into nature.
Our Approach
A key feature of the methodology is its “basket of metrics” approach to measuring biodiversity. This draws on concepts used in economics, such as the Consumer Price Index, to provide a structured yet adaptable way of assessing change across different environments.
By combining multiple indicators, the methodology provides a more complete picture of ecological health, while remaining practical for use in real-world projects.
Our Impact
Selected by the EU from 90+ methodologies
Adopted by organisations worldwide
Supports a leading share of biodiversity credit projects in development
The methodology has been selected by the EU for use in a wetland restoration pilot, ranking first among more than 90 methodologies assessed. Its open-access model has enabled adoption by organisations worldwide, making it one of the most widely used approaches for measuring biodiversity improvements.
It is also recognised as underpinning a significant proportion of biodiversity crediting projects currently under development globally.
Download the Methodology
The full methodology is available as a downloadable resource for organisations and individuals interested in applying or adapting it.
Get Involved
Support from donors helps us maintain and improve the methodology, ensuring it remains freely available to those working to protect and restore nature.