diff --git a/docs/deep.md b/docs/deep.md index 22751e923..a6d16bf76 100644 --- a/docs/deep.md +++ b/docs/deep.md @@ -1,28 +1,24 @@ # Decentralized Ecological Economics Protocol (DEEP) -## DEEP Mission - -At Sovereign Nature Initiative, our goal is to refigure 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. Environmental justice activism and ecological work primarily rely on donations and funding from philanthropies, public institutions, and other donors. This lack of a sustainable financial stream undermines the validation and recognition of the invaluable work being done by ecological stewards such as conservation NGOs, governmental agencies, local communities, and citizen-led initiatives. - -To address this issue, we developed the Decentralised Ecological Economics Protocol (DEEP) together with the Registry for Ecological Asset Linking (REAL). Starting from the notion of eco-data and the way it currently shapes and is being shaped by increased demands of verification for biodiversity impact reporting and evaluation, our approach facilitates the flow of value between ecological work and digital creativity, enabling sustainable validation of ecological efforts. By effectively integrating ecological work with the digital realm through processing eco-data, we not only generate value but also give digital assets 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 ecological preservation. +DEEP is a protocol that brings eco-data to digital creatives. We collaborate with ecological stewards, such as conservation organisations and rewilding projects, who already generate data as part of their daily work. Eco-data spans species-specific insights obtained through direct observations, evidence of species’ presence (e.g., droppings, tracks) and GPS-tracking devices, as well as broader habitat or ecosystem data collected via top-down remote sensing technologies such as satellites or ground collection of soil and plant samples. We process this data and make it accessible to digital creatives through our protocol; cleaning, standardising and aggregating it. Digital creatives utilise this data in their projects, which can range from gaming and virtual environments to art and music production. The digital representations created using this data, so called eco-linked derivatives, are then made available for purchase and the proceeds are shared between the conservation organisations (50-70%) and Sovereign Nature Initiative for funding its continued operations. ## What Is Eco-Data -Eco-Data - is data collected through the work of ecological stewards. +Eco-data is data produced through the work of ecological stewards in their daily activities in order to inform their conservation and/or restoration strategies and actions internally, and to report on their nature-positive impact. -It's almost impossible to measure ecology in all its complexity. However, there are thousands of organisations involved in the process of collecting, storing, and processing information about ecology while doing their conservation and regeneration activities. We collect data from such activities and make it available inside of the DEEP. +As it is impossible to measure ecology in all its complexity, we work with the particular data our partners deem important for their work. There are nurmerous organisations involved in the process of collecting, storing, and processing information about ecology while doing their conservation and regeneration activities. We process the data from such activities and make it available to digital creatives throught DEEP and REAL. -The Eco-Data requirements are that it needs to be relevant, educational, and rich in empathy, it needs to be collected by the Ecological Steward and shall refer to the Ecological Entity the Project Supported is intended to conserve and/or restore. The Eco-Data is utilized both internally to inform their conservation and/or restoration strategies and actions, and externally to report on their nature-positive impact. +The eco-data we proceess needs to be relevant, educational, and rich in empathy. -## Eco-Linked Assets +## Eco-Linked Derivatives -Physical or digital goods can be linked to the Eco-Data through the DEEP Link - a smart contract that stores the link between the Eco-Data and the linked asset. +Physical or digital goods can be linked to the eco-data through the DEEP link - a smart contract that stores the link between the eco-data and the linked digital asset, creating an eco-linked derivative. -Linking such assets allows us to generate additional value for both an asset and the ecological entity it's linked to. +Creating such eco-linked derivatives is the key for genearting substantial funding streams while imbuing the linked goods with tangible meaning. ## DEEP Link -DEEP Link is an [ERC721](https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/standards/tokens/erc-721/) token that stores the connection between the linked asset and ecological entity. It can link any ecological entity with its derivatives - like nature-inspired in-game items or artworks. Such nature-connected items can get new properties, functions, and representations based on the ecology they are connected to. +DEEP Link is an [ERC721](https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/standards/tokens/erc-721/) token that stores the connection between the linked asset and ecological data set referencing an entiy like an animal or a particular geographical area, enabling the creation of the eco-derivative. It can link any ecological data set to a prodocut - like nature-inspired in-game items, artworks, event tickets, etc. Such eco-linked derivatives can gain new properties, functions, and representations based on the ecology they are connected to. DEEP Link has the following parameters: `id` - unique DEEP Link ID which is a product of caching the address of the linked asset into a big integer number. @@ -30,17 +26,13 @@ DEEP Link has the following parameters: `steward_id` - ID of the conservation organisation according to the protocol. `funds_raised` - amount of funds raised by the link for the steward and ecological entity. -### Asset DID Address System +## Derivative DID Address System -DEEP uses an address system based on the Asset DID [specification](https://github.com/KILTprotocol/spec-asset-did). The linked asset address is encoded into the DEEP Link token ID via the keccak256 function. +DEEP uses an address system based on the derivative DID [specification](https://github.com/KILTprotocol/spec-asset-did). The linked derivative address is encoded into the DEEP link token ID via the keccak256 function. ## Rarity Index -Organisation according to a rarity is a key logic in the gaming world as well as in the NFT art and gaming spaces. The Rarity Index is a custom metric designed to quantify and communicate the uniqueness and importance of various ecological features captured in the Eco-Data provided by conservation organisations. This index is key for integrating eco-data into gaming as it responds to the request of assigning rarity to items and functionalities by connecting it to real scientific data.  The rarity attributes can be updated from real-life events so that the index evolves together with the linked eco-data. - -## Roadmap - -... +Organisation according to rarity is a key logic in the gaming world as well as in the NFT art and gaming spaces. The Rarity Index is a custom metric designed to quantify and communicate the uniqueness and importance of various ecological features captured in the Eco-Data provided by conservation organisations. This index is key for integrating eco-data into gaming as it responds to the request of assigning rarity to items and functionalities by connecting it to real scientific data.  The rarity attributes can be updated from real-life events so that the index evolves together with the linked eco-data. ## Contributing to DEEP diff --git a/docs/overview.md b/docs/overview.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..f02603d61 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/overview.md @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +#Overview + +At 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, funding from philanthropists, public institutions and other donors. The lack of a sustainable financial streams is estimated at approximately $700 billion per year according to the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat. Private voluntary contributions toward nature-positive efforts, also knows 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 voluntary giving is valuable, and eventually a key mode for contributing to 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 work is guided by the following key propositions: + +- breaking with the paradigm of donation: the value of biodiversity is integrated into digital products increasing their value in the digital economy by imbuing them with meaning in the age of digital overproduction; +- verifiying impact through data: minimal access to the most relevant ecological field data used by organisations to monitor their progress and evaluate impact, with a digestible explanation of how the data is used to inform nature-positive strategies and actions; +- selecting trustworthy partners: investing in projects of ecological stewards with a long and successful track record that operate on the ground and are guided by a holistic vision of sustaining live on earth for all species; +- reducing the distance: developing meaningful and long-term connections between contributors and biodiversity practicioners lays the foundation for a large-scale socio-econmic transformation; diff --git a/docs/pocs.md b/docs/pocs.md index 6ea6ad8dc..6a4571ce4 100644 --- a/docs/pocs.md +++ b/docs/pocs.md @@ -1 +1,41 @@ -#PoCs +# Proof of Concepts (PoCs) + +## Sub0/AIMM + +**Source of contribution:** Parity Technologies + +**Funds raised:** 15.000€ + +**Eco-linked derivative holders:** 3000 + +AIMM, an ecological steward focused on the conservation of marine wildlife of Portugal's South Coast, is going to allocate the 15.000€ raised to further extend the operations of their ongoing Marine Research and Improvement of Tourism Activities Project. This Supported Project entails conducting 150 scientific boat surveys and hosting 15 workshops, talks, and webinars, with a completion target by the end of 2024. The Project's Objective is twofold: to publish a scientific paper on cetacean biology and ecology, and to partner with five whale watching companies in order to better monitor their compliance with existing regulations. AIMM's commitment to marine conservation and research, established in 2010, underscores its efforts to mitigate human disturbances like tourism and fishing, enhancing the understanding and protection of marine life, including bottlenose dolphins and minke whales. + +## Moonsama/KWT + +**Source of contribution:** Moonsama Community + +**Funds raised:** 100.000€ + +**Eco-linked derivative holders:** 400 + +Founded in 2007, the Kenya Wildlife Trust (KWT) is committed to ensuring the long-term viability of predator populations in Kenya through data-driven research and community-supported conservation initiatives. The KWT's main goal is to preserve the ecological integrity of the Greater Mara ecosystems through the conservation of predators in the region, with a main focus on lion, cheetah and wild dogs population. Central to their work is the Mara Predator Conservation Programme, particularly its Lion Research and Conservation Project that the fund raised are supporting. This project's main objective is to conduct constant predator monitoring, including a dedicated three-month intensive period, and to address at least 75% of reported human-wildlife conflict cases by end of 2024. + +## FPF/Hotel Hideaway + +**Source of contribution:** Hotel Hideway Community + +**Funds raised:** on-going + +**Eco-linked derivative holders:** 148.000 + +The Forgotten Parks Foundation (FPF), a non-profit organization committed to safeguarding national parks and biodiversity worldwide, focuses on the fauna, flora, and human communities within Upemba National Park and its surrounding zones. Facing challenges like poaching and habitat loss, their main goal is to protect and value national parks and ecosystems. The Ecological Contribution raised is allocated to support FPF’s Infrastructure and Security Development Project at Upemba National Park. Working with local partners and communities, this Supported Project aims to reach its Objective of monitoring 90% of the park and its buffer zones by 2030, a significant step needed to conserve and restore the Upemba’s diverse wildlife populations, ensuring the resilience of the habitats and the ecosystems they depend on. + +## WalletConnect/Aquasearch + +**Source of contribution:** WalletConnect + +**Funds raised:** 14,500€ + +**Eco-linked derivative holders:** 100.000 + +Aquasearch, an organisation with expertise in environmental and oceanographic research, focuses on marine wildlife in the Caribbean. Confronting threats like human disturbances from tourist or commercial vessels, their primary goal is to protect and study marine life, particularly cetaceans. They are currently supporting a project to characterise cetacean populations in the Agoa sanctuary that aims to monitor cetacean migrations between Caribbean islands and conduct acoustic characterisation studies to understand their behaviour and reactions to anthropogenic disturbances. By the first quarter of 2025, they intend to influence regulations and policies governing commercial vessel approaches to cetaceans in the Agoa sanctuary. Leveraging bioacoustic research to non-invasively monitor and develop effective conservation strategies for these species the meeting of this objective will be measured by the amendments to applicable legislations. diff --git a/docs/real.md b/docs/real.md index 2d5433553..e7f0324a3 100644 --- a/docs/real.md +++ b/docs/real.md @@ -1,64 +1,15 @@ -# Registry for Ecological Assets Linking (REAL) +# Registry for Ecological Asset Linking (REAL) ## Overview -The REAL Portal technology is the community interface and registry hosting all Eco-linked Assets issued as a result of an Ecological Contribution. Each Eco-linked Asset in the REAL Portal includes all information gathered through the EIPRV Methodology about the Supported Project and the Ecological Steward. Utilising dAPP functionalities, REAL's technical and EIPRV Methodology are geared toward democratising public access, participation and verification processes conducive to the effective and transparent allocation of monetary contributions towards nature-positive endeavours. Each Eco-linked Asset hosted on REAL integrates comprehensive qualitative and quantitative data about a Supported Project, the Ecological Stewards running it and its Objective and metrics used to track progress. +The Registry for Ecological Asset Linking is the community interface and registry hosting all eco-linked derivatives issued and representing their ecological contribution. Each eco-linked derivative in REAL showcases the information on the relevant eco-data and the contribution toward the supported project. Utilising dAPP functionalities, REAL is geared toward democratising public access, participation and verification processes conducive to the effective and transparent allocation of monetary contributions towards nature-positive endeavours. Each eco-linked derivative hosted on REAL integrates comprehensive qualitative and quantitative data about a supported project, the ecological stewards running it and its Oojective and metrics used to track progress. ## Ecological Impact Methodology -To structure the type of information and reporting needed to track the impact of Ecological Contributions, the Sovereign Nature Initiative has developed the Environmental Impact Participation, Reporting and Verification Methodology (EIPRV Methodology). The EIPRV Methodology, embedded in the REAL user experience, is an adaptation of globally applied best practices for international conservation project management, reporting, and verification that offers an engaging, transparent, and comprehensive perspective on the intentions, progress status and verifiable additionality of an Ecological Contribution on the Ecological Entity. +To structure the type of information and reporting needed to track the impact of ecological contributions, Sovereign Nature Initiative developed its own methodology for impact reporting, measurment and verification. The methodology informing the metrics expressed in REAL is an adaptation of globally applied best practices for international conservation project management, while innovating on modes and mechanism for expressing nature-positive impacts and engaing directly with eco-linke derivative holders. By introducing leginble and interactive data metrix, REAL enables the transparent tracing of each contribution. In staying close to the field work of the organisations, REAL allows tecological steward to dynamically express their achievements. -The components of the EIPRV Methodology are logically interconnected and presented in the Eco-linked Asset interface, offering a comprehensive overview of the Ecological Steward's nature-positive strategies, efforts and achievements. This includes a detailed description of the Supported Project and its Objectives, alongside both Eco-Data and Steward’s Feeds. +With REAL SNI aims to enhance trust and commitment between funders and stewards of biodiverse ecosystems, highlighting the potential of alternative funding sources and public involvement in supporting the ambitious targets the world has set to support significant conservation and restoration efforts globally. -Through this Methodology augmented by the participatory functionalities of REAL, SNI aims to enhance trust and commitment between funders and stewards of biodiverse ecosystems, highlighting the potential of alternative funding sources and public involvement in supporting the ambitious targets the world has set to support significant conservation and restoration efforts globally. - -## REAL Glossary - -### Eco-Linked Asset - -The digital proof accessible through REAL issued to individuals as the result of their allocation of an Ecological Contribution toward a Supported Project, containing relevant information about the Ecological Steward, the Supported Project, its Objectives, and relevant impact verification content such as Eco-Data and the Steward Feed. - -### Ecological Entity - -A defined component of nature that is the target of the Ecological Steward conservation and/or restoration efforts. This term may include specific species populations, entire habitats or ecosystems, or defined protected areas that support diverse species and animal communities within their boundaries. - -### Ecological Steward - -An identified group of individuals responsible for the conservation, protection, and/or restoration of an identified ecology (referred to as Ecological Entity). This group may take the form of a non-governmental institution, project developers, a governmental agency, a local community, a collaborative team of researchers, or any other human assemblage managing the allocation of funds and operations needed to conserve and/or restore an identified Ecological Entity. - -### Stewardship Area - -The specific geographical region where the Ecological Entity is situated and where the Ecological Steward operates. - -### Linked Ecology - -The part of the Ecological Entity to which the Eco-Data refers and that is used to link the Ecological Contribution to the specific Supported Project. - -### Threats - -Anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic drivers that directly or indirectly degrade or in other ways negatively influence the survival of the Ecological Entity. - -### Ecological Contribution - -A voluntary monetary disbursement linked to Eco-Data about an Ecological Entity aimed to support a Supported Project from an Ecological Steward working on the conservation or restoration of the identified Ecological Entity. - -### Supported Project - -Particular project of the Ecological Steward to which funds have been specifically allocated as a result of fundraising efforts. -Project Objective(s): a statement identifying the measurable, relevant, achievable, and time-bound outcome(s) expected from the strategies and activities implemented by the Supported Project. - -### Progress Metrics - -The metric or indicator used by the Ecological Steward to monitor and report on the progress toward the identified Project Objective. -Eco-Data: Data and metadata that is linked to a specific Ecological Contribution and accessible through an issued Eco-linked Asset. The Eco-Data requirements are that it needs to be relevant, educational, and rich in empathy, it needs to be collected by the Ecological Steward and shall refer to the Ecological Entity the Project Supported is intended to conserve and/or restore. The Eco-Data is utilized both internally to inform their conservation and/or restoration strategies and actions, and externally to report on their nature-positive impact. - -### Steward Feed(s) - -The ecological impact reporting and verification tool embedded in an Eco-linked Asset to display a stream of rich content collected by an Ecological Steward to report on the progress of the Supported Project updates such as events of progress toward the Project Objective. - -### EIPRV Methodology - -The Ecological Impact Participation, Reporting and Verification Methodology SNI uses to collect, structure and share dynamic content and processes aimed at informing an Ecological Contributor about the progress and impact of their Ecological Contribution. ## Contributing to REAL diff --git a/docs/value(s).md b/docs/value(s).md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..ac8db3819 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/value(s).md @@ -0,0 +1,21 @@ +# All about value(s) + +## Value at the heart of the conversation + +Financial independence of the ecological world is the main aspect of our work. We profoundly believe that the key to sustainable life on Earth lies in a revaluation of ecological efforts. The dominant paradigm for funding ecological work revolves around donations, philanthropy and public funding. The key characteristic is thus a dependence on the willingness of other actors to support ecological efforts. As such they sit at the bottom of the priority list, they depend on good will. + +We counteract this paradigm by developing new ways of valuing the work of ecological stewards, moving the appreciation from 'nice to have’ toward ‘essential necessity'. The key to this shift lies in integrating the eco-data the steward produce into products of the digital economy thereby making it indispensable. This differs from conventional approaches, usually in the realm of what has come to be known as eco-system services. In our proposition, the value derives from the utility of the data that is produced by doing ecological work. It is thus independent from typical valuations of nature as natural capital in service of human life. The commodification is located at the level of data production and data utility, leaving the integrity of ecological ground work intact. + +Our valuation practices are not aimed at putting a price tag on nature, or assess the value of its eco-systemic services. We are building a new economy in the digital world that leaves enough on-site space for ecological stewards to continue doing their work, not having to succumb to the pressures of the market while stepping into the digital economy. + +## Digital life not digital twinning + +Our pipeline connects eco-data to the digital creative space, where individuals and communities create representations and assets, so-called eco-derivatives. By utilising our protocol, these digital creatives can access and incorporate eco-data provided by ecological stewards into their projects. We do not impose a specific aesthetic or representation of nature in the digital world, but rather empower digital creatives to collaborate, innovate, and showcase their unique perspectives. We embrace the idea that there must be multiple valid representations of eco-data, multiplying the impact and possibilities for ecological work. + +## Sovereign Nature as co-existance + +Sovereign Nature Initiative owes an inspirational debt to Terra0 and the proposition of self-owning and self-governing forests and thus autonomous non-human agency. Exploring avenues for acknowledging non-human agency is inscribed into the core of our mission. Yet, we emphasise the role of the foundational existing embeddedness of humans within nature, within ecosystems. We are also deliberately seeking collaborations with organisations that work with a holistic approach, including the role that human communities play for interspecies co-existance. Our work taught us that the separation of humans from nature is artificial and not experienced or lived as such by our partners. The amalgam of the daily work in the field, the data produced about it, as well as the formal modes of representation in the legal organisational structure are part of the same organism. The fantasy of unmediated support for an animal or a plant absurdly reduces this complexity and is counter-intuitive when taking the work of eco-stewards seriously. + +It is precisely the respect for the complexity of this layering that makes our works stand out. In a time when the pressure for ever more, ever more accurate and ever less mediated eco-data is accelerated by technological invention, the most important work is to hold space for the thick entangled fabric of live where technology is in service of facilitating conviviality. + +We do our part which is neither a silver bullet, nor a final destination. But its the important next step that enables a larger socio-ecological transformation.