Soil quality is declining, freshwater sources are being exploited unsustainably, the world’s forests continue to be cleared, and our climate is changing rapidly, affecting millions of people globally. Reducing our fossil fuel consumption and “greening” our physical infrastructure won’t be enough to restore our natural environment and combat climate change. More than 30% of the targets set in the Paris Accord will need to come from changes to the way we farm and the way we manage land, forestry and oceans.
Thankfully, the market for terrestrial ecosystem services (the benefits that people obtain from nature) has been growing and is poised to grow quickly as a result of the rapid proliferation of net-zero carbon commitments. Funding large-scale conservation objectives is becoming much more feasible thanks to instruments such as limited development, mitigation initiatives and the monetisation of assets such as carbon, which are providing investors with an economic incentive an...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.