Marjo Halonen’s Post

Recent EU climate regulation news: Nature restoration, air quality, and corporate sustainable due diligence 1️⃣ Nature restoration 🌲: In a BIG win, Parliament votes in favour of a (watered down) EU Nature Restoration Law. The measures are intended to cover at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030. 💡 Under these rules Member states must: ✅ restore at least 30% of habitats covered by the new law (including forests, grasslands, wetlands and rivers,) by 2030, increasing to 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050, and ensure that restored areas do not significantly deteriorate. ✅ improve biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems based on specified indicators including grassland butterfly index and common farmland bird index. ✅ restore at least 30% of drained peatlands by 2030 (at least a quarter shall be rewetted), 40% by 2040 and 50% by 2050 (where at least one-third shall be rewetted). Rewetting will remain voluntary for farmers and private landowners. ✅ restore at least 25 000 km of rivers into free-flowing rivers 💡 According to the Commission, the new law would bring an 8x return on investments made. 💡 Importantly, the law provides for an “emergency brake”, as requested by Parliament, so targets can be suspended under "exceptional circumstances" if they severely reduce the land needed for sufficient food production for EU consumption. 2️⃣ Air quality 🌬 : Council and Parliament strike (provisional) deal to strengthen standards 💡 Main elements are: ✅ Strengthened air quality standards covering a host of air-polluting substances. ✅ Requirement on air quality roadmaps, plans and short-term action plans where a limit or target value is exceeded or there is a concrete risk of exceeding the alert or information thresholds. ✅ Access to justice and right to compensation - the directive sets out provisions to ensure access to justice for those who have a sufficient interest and want to challenge its implementation, including public health and environmental NGOs. Member states will have to ensure that citizens are entitled to claim and obtain compensation where damage to their health has occurred as a result of an intentional or negligent violation of the rules. 3️⃣ Corporate sustainable due diligence 📊 : Council fails to approve the CSDDD ✅ The Council adopted its position on the corporate sustainable due diligence directive (“CSDDD”) in late 2022 and reached an agreement with Parliament in December 2023, but has for now failed to reach the required (qualified) majority to approve the directive. ✅ Under the proposed CSDDD, in-scope companies are required to adopt transition plans to ensure that their strategies and business plans are in line with the Paris Agreement, and to act on identified actual and potential adverse impact on human rights or the environment (CSDDD-risks) in its value chain. ✅ The future of the CSDDD is now highly uncertain and no progress is expected until after the 2024 EU elections. 👇 👇 Links 👇 👇

Improved forest management practices integration into carbon certification schemes: where are we and how to move forward? ▶️ Improved forest management (#IFM) can help mitigate climate change by increasing carbon sequestration in forests and wood products while ensuring the highest possible sustainable level of forest carbon stocks, taking into account natural disturbances. ▶️ In #Europe, these practices could be encouraged, especially to counterbalance the decline in forest sinks in some countries. There is an opportunity to incentivize these practices under the European Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (#CRCF) regulation. ▶️ Forest features and improved forest management strategies need to be properly integrated within this new scheme. This is where Informa Forests comes in! 📖 Our analysis of 15 IFM methodologies identifies four main challenges linked to IFM project certification: 1️⃣ A need to diversify management practices under carbon certification 2️⃣  More robust baselines setting which is the main risk of carbon certification projects 3️⃣ Carbon certification tools need to better integrate the future impact of climate change to ensure carbon permanence 4️⃣ Increase visibility and robustness of sustainability criteria #I4CE_Report #CarbonCertification #CRCF #EUCarbonFarming 👉 https://lnkd.in/edEPBM98 by Julia Grimault and Simon Martel from #I4CE

If this regulation actually is implemented, I hope we will finally see value for nature other than its potential to deliver biomass, and measures for improved biodiversity taken emerge as a real, valuable and trade-able alternative use of land. Interesting times!

The vote in favour of adopting the Nature Restoration Law by the European Parliament this week will give a crucial boost to the depleting state of the EU's natural environment. There are numerous metrics that show us the urgency of the nature crisis in Europe - soil erosion alone is projected to be nearly 25% by 2050, significantly impacting food production and our ability to implement climate change mitigating actions. The greatest challenge that this proposal has faced, which has been the same for many other environmental sustainability initiatives and proposals, is a misinformed opposition. It is unfortunate that during its approval process, the Nature Restoration Law has been misrepresented, as an initiative that will hinder farmers, landowners and businesses alike. The opposite is in fact true. Localised implementation of this proposal will ensure longevity and resilience for economic sectors which are highly dependent on nature, It goes without saying that the enactment of this law will need effective communication and adequate funding and resources, to bring us closer to a nature positive future.

Green Assets is honored to receive the Innovation Award from ACR at Winrock International. This award is in recognition of our leadership in co-developing a methodology for the quantification, monitoring, reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas emission reductions and removals resulting from the Active Conservation and Sustainable Management on U.S. Forestlands. The Active Conservation and Sustainable Management on U.S. Forestlands Methodology addresses a crucial gap in accurately measuring the impact of forest conservation efforts on greenhouse gas emission reductions. Every year, the US loses nearly three million acres of forest to other land uses, negatively affecting wildlife and water quality and releasing carbon emissions into the atmosphere. This Methodology uses carbon finance to promote the conservation and sustainable management of forests that are at risk of conversion to non-forest uses. The methodology generates carbon credits from forgoing the conversion of at-risk forests to agriculture, mining, real estate, and other non-forest land use development, and instead employing long-term conservation via 40+ year legally binding easements to durably protect and sustainably manage the forest resources. In development since the summer of 2021, its publication marks a significant step forward in addressing climate change through land-based initiatives and promoting sustainable forest management practices. “Green Assets is proud to accept ACR’s 2024 Innovation Award for our contribution to the development of the Active Conservation methodology. This methodology enables landowners, businesses, governments, and institutional organizations to make informed decisions and take proactive measures in combating climate change through a robust and effective nature-based mechanism. We are excited to partner with ACR to promote conservation and sustainable forest management throughout the United States”  — Bailey Evans, CEO We’d like to thank ACR again for believing in our vision for this methodology & expanding accessibility into the industry. #NACW2024 #innovation #carbonmarket #climateimpact

Environmental conservation refers to the practice of protecting and preserving the natural environment and its resources. This includes efforts to reduce pollution, conserve water and energy, protect wildlife and ecosystems, and promote sustainable practices. There are numerous benefits to environmental conservation, including: 1. Preservation of biodiversity: By protecting natural habitats and ecosystems, we can help ensure the survival of a wide variety of plant and animal species. 2. Clean air and water: Conservation efforts can help reduce pollution and improve air and water quality, leading to better health outcomes for humans and wildlife. 3. Climate change mitigation: Conservation practices such as reforestation and sustainable agriculture can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. 4. Sustainable resource management: By conserving resources such as water, energy, and forests, we can ensure their availability for future generations. 5. Economic benefits: Conservation efforts can create jobs in industries such as renewable energy, eco-tourism, and sustainable agriculture, while also reducing costs associated with environmental damage and resource depletion. Overall, environmental conservation is essential for maintaining a healthy planet and ensuring a sustainable future for all living beings.

Landoption exists to support conservation, alternative energy, and agricultural programs in their quest to connect with landowners and their trusted advisors. Our clients are the programs that pay landowners to do something new or different. The key to building a successful program? Land, and the relationships with the people who own it. Sustainable land use programs often find themselves battling for the attention and trust of landowners. Meanwhile, landowners are frustrated by fly-by-night programs, confusing jargon, deal-breaker terms, and people who just don’t “get it.” No matter how well-designed a program is, if no one adopts it, it has zero impact. For some, that impact might be on climate change; for others, it's carbon credits, habitat restoration, or biodiversity. No matter what drives you to create a program, the key to implementation is addressing the goals and motivations of the landowners you're working with. That's where Landoption comes in. By leveraging the technology we're building, and working through trusted advisors and tools, we aim to make it easier and more efficient to connect with landowners and bring your program to the next level.

The 8 Nature Positive Principles are a set of guidelines developed by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to help businesses and governments shift towards more sustainable practices that benefit nature. These principles are part of the broader effort to promote biodiversity and address environmental challenges. The principles are as follows: Protect and Restore Ecosystems: Preserve and restore ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and grasslands, to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services. - Sustainable Agriculture: Promote sustainable agricultural practices that enhance biodiversity, soil health, and water quality while increasing food security and resilience. - Sustainable Forestry: Manage forests sustainably to maintain biodiversity, support local livelihoods, and mitigate climate change. - Fisheries and Oceans: Manage fisheries and marine resources sustainably to maintain biodiversity, support livelihoods, and ensure food security. - Green Infrastructure: Invest in green infrastructure, such as parks, green roofs, and wetlands, to enhance biodiversity, improve air and water quality, and reduce the impact of natural disasters. - Sustainable Waste Management: Reduce, reuse, and recycle waste to minimize environmental impact and promote a circular economy. - Sustainable Tourism: Promote sustainable tourism practices that conserve natural resources, protect biodiversity, and benefit local communities. - Sustainable Energy: Transition to renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize environmental impact. These principles provide a framework for integrating nature conservation into policies, practices, and decision-making processes, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and resilient future for both people and the planet.

Antipollution SA recognized as #Leading_Environmental_Service_Provider by Enaleia! Thrilled to announce that Antipollution SA has been honored by Enaleia, as the largest service provider in the #environmental services sector. The award was presented by Lefteris Arapakis, Founder of Enaleia and United Nations Ambassador of the #Mediterranean_Coast, #Young_Champion_of_the_Earth and holder of the #UN_Environmental_Distinction. This #recognition reaffirms our #commitment to #sustainability and #environmental_stewardship; we are actively supporting Enaleia initiatives by providing essential resources for #waste_management, including equipment, vehicles and a skilled labor force. This hands-on #involvement reinforces our #dedication to creating a #cleaner and #healthier environment for #future generations. Our #dedication to #environmental_excellence has also been acknowledged by the ΕΒΕΑ - ACCI | Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry which recently awarded Antipollution SA with the highest corporate distinction in the country for #Environment_and_Green_Development. This recognition underscores our #leadership in #sustainable #business #practices. But our #impact doesn't stop there. We are proud to #collaborate with Enaleia in #supporting local #fishing communities in #Egypt as part of #Antipollution_Egypt's strategic program in collaboration with Suez Canal Authority. Together, we aim to provide #training and add #value to local fishermen's efforts, #contributing to a #greener_canal by #2030. Let's continue making waves in the pursuit of a #cleaner, #greener world! #Antipollution #EnvironmentalLeadership #Sustainability #GreenDevelopment #CollaborationForChange