COP29: Why Nature and Preservation?

The diversity of flora and fauna

Biodiversity concerns the diversity of flora and fauna on Earth. Human-caused environmental damage reduces biodiversity. Creating a healthy, sustainable society requires increasing biodiversity.

Direct from nature

Natural resources are raw materials or substances direct from nature, such as minerals, wood, water and fertile land. It also refers to materials we harvest, utilize and rely on.

Harvesting forests until they no longer support life

Deforestation, harvesting forests for natural resources or clearing land for agriculture or construction, harms the environment because the converted land usually emits carbon and, with fewer trees, is less capable of absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂). Deforestation that happens faster than forests can recover causes environmental damage, such as biodiversity loss and climate change.

Forest degradation sees a forest deteriorate so it no longer supports people and wildlife, for example, by filtering air for breathing and water for drinking, and providing animals with food and homes.

The main cause of forest degradation is unsustainable and illegal logging. Climate change, particularly higher temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns, also increases the risk and severity of forest fires, disease and pest infestation.

What can organizations do to help?

Organizations of all shapes and sizes can participate in preservation activities, such as:

Afforestation/reforestation

Afforestation sees new forests planted on lands that have never contained forests. Reforestation is the action of planting trees where a forest was depleted for commercial purposes.

We do our utmost to support forests, woodlands and organizations’ forest preservation goals through numerous services like our forestry and crop solutions. We can ensure compliance with the latest requirements, including the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC^TM) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) chain of custody schemes, and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Alternative energy

Alternative energy has two categories:

1. Substitutes for existing petroleum liquids, such as ethanol and biodiesel


2. Alternative ways to generate and store electrical power, such as renewables like wind and solar

Alternative energy sources are vital to climate mitigation.

Beyond value chain mitigation (BVCM)

BVCM refers to measures to prevent, decrease or eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions outside their value chain. Compensation and neutralization can be considered BVCM and additional to decarbonization, rather than its substitute.

Carbon credit

A carbon credit is a tradable certificate or permit that incentivizes a company to reduce its emissions. When organizations create carbon offsetting initiatives, they receive a transferable or tradeable carbon credit or token. A credit allows the company to emit GHGs and compensate for this elsewhere. A credit represents one ton of CO₂ reduced or removed from the atmosphere.

A company sets an emissions cap, which is reduced periodically. If a company exceeds this limit, it is fined. Unused certificates can be sold to other companies. The certificates are a market-oriented mechanism for decreasing GHG emissions. The number of available credits is reduced over time to reduce GHGs. In practice, these credits let owners reduce GHG emissions to get closer to net zero.

The term also refers to purchased credits that fund emission-reducing projects.

Carbon neutrality/carbon footprint verification (CFV)

Carbon neutral is a condition in which, during a specified period, the carbon footprint has been reduced due to GHG emission reductions or removal enhancements and, if greater than zero, is then counterbalanced by offsetting.

CFV aims to verify an organization’s carbon footprint. An organization must collect data on emissions caused by its activities, products and services. Once collected, an independent body, such as SGS, can verify the data accuracy and organization’s carbon footprint to help it understand the level of emissions it needs to reduce and/or offset to become carbon neutral.

CFV is essential to providing credibility and reassuring stakeholders that the organization’s carbon footprint is accurate, absolute and compliant with major GHG reporting standards.

We can support your CFV and emissions reduction mission through services like ISO 14064-1, ISO 14067 and ISO 14068-1 verification.

Carbon insetting

Carbon insetting seeks to reduce an organization’s emissions and carbon footprint within its supply chain or industry. The strategy involves investing in nature-based solutions, such as reforestation, agroforestry, renewable energy and regenerative agriculture. These aim to sequester carbon and create positive impacts for communities, landscapes and ecosystems linked to the company's value chain.

Nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions are inspired and supported by nature and may offer environmental, economic and social benefits while increasing resilience.

They can be actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use and manage natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems. Such actions address social, economic and environmental challenges effectively and adaptively while providing human well-being, ecosystem services and resilience and biodiversity benefits.

Nurture your business while nurturing nature

Our experts will support your conservation goals through services like:

• Soil, water and air testing
• E-DNA testing and monitoring
• Environmental due diligence and impact assessment
• Forestry supply chain traceability and assurance
• PFAS and microplastic solutions

Visit our nature services page or let us know if you want to discuss something else or need clarification.