David Johnston
Conservationist & Biodiversity Economy Specialist, MUniv, h.c.
David Johnston is a conservationist and biodiversity economy specialist, and the founder of Biodiversity Economy. He holds an honorary MUniv.
He founded the desk in South Africa in 2026. It scores listed companies and funds on how much they depend on nature and how much they damage it, and publishes the results free of charge. His notes are listed below.
Writes on
- Conservation
- The biodiversity economy
- Nature and finance
Notes by David Johnston
What the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) does from 30 December 2026The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) applies from 30 December 2026. Who must file, what it covers, the penalties, country tiers, timeline and research.
What works: three countries that moved the numberHow Costa Rica regrew its forest, Seychelles protected a third of its ocean and Namibia put a fifth of its land under community conservancies, with sources.
Thirty to one: the most important ratio in the world economyFor every dollar the world invests in nature, more than thirty flow the other way. The ratio is the whole argument, and this year it comes with dates attached.
What we are building before COP17Four public instruments, one rule book, and a date. A short note on what Biodiversity Economy will publish between now and 19 October 2026.
Contact and profiles
Contributors follow the desk's rules on sources, corrections and independence, set out on the About page. Corrections to their notes are listed on the Corrections page.