How Life Terra and EY cooperate in nature restoration

Helping nature can increase its resilience to climate change.

Companies play a vital role in combating climate change and transparently reporting on it in their financial statements.

Biodiversity and climate change

During an intense discussion on the urgency to restore nature, Claudy te Boome, EY's Leader of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability and Prof. Santi Sabaté, Professor of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences at the University of Barcelona, exchanged thoughts on climate change, nature restoration and our role in it.

Today, the impact of climate change is inevitable. Reducing emissions therefore continues to be a top priority. We will also need to invest in nature restoration and awareness. Indeed, climate change is 'only' part of a much larger, more complex problem: a disturbed relationship between humans and nature. During the interview, Prof. Santi Sabaté, Professor of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences at the University of Barcelona, affiliated with Life Terra, explains why exchanging knowledge is important in order to eventually reconnect our society with nature.

Ecological nature restoration

Claudy: “What is the most pressing problem and how can we try to rebalance nature?”

Prof. Santi: “There are threshold values we don't want to cross. Unfortunately, however, six have already been exceeded – including biodiversity loss and climate change. Preserving and regenerating nature is vital to tackling climate change and the extinction of plant and animal species. Intact 'primary forests' are among the most powerful, effective ways to safely absorb greenhouse gas emissions. They are a fundamental source of health and wellbeing. By using nature smartly, we can meet the target of keeping global warming to below 1.5 C. Planting trees and reducing deforestation will help store more carbon, combat climate change and provide a habitat for a wide variety of plant species. We have a choice: we can either do nothing and watch nature develop, or instead we can help restore nature and protect it. If we sit back and do nothing now, we're going to lose a lot. By helping nature, we can increase its resilience to the effects of climate change. By helping nature we help us.”

Nature is a source of energy

Claudy: “How can more green space around us – around businesses and in cities, for example – contribute?”

Prof. Santi: “It is important to have more green space around us, and I believe it could help cure a lot of stress and illnesses. As a human being, you need to feel connected to nature. You need to hear the birds singing, feel the sun on your skin, watch the seasons change, breathe the clean air... rather than sitting quietly in an office somewhere. You also need to take time to relax and really connect with nature; this is good for your heart and physical and mental health.”

Team spirit

Claudy: “When we met up after the worst of the coronavirus pandemic was over in order to plant trees, there was such a positive team spirit. The opportunity to be constructive and contribute to nature restoration really gave us a sense of belonging.”

Prof. Santi: “When people see what works with their own eyes and they start to learn about it, you see a light go on in their eyes. That click is the wonderful to see – it's a sense of recognition that you really can contribute to something fantastic and important." Claudy: "It's important to feel that." Prof. Santi: "Accept change – after all, the landscape is changing. Some changes are inevitable, but let's do what we can. That starts on a local level. Let's make our neighborhood greener because the *evapotranspiration mechanism helps us in lots of different ways. Trees and plants breathe just like we do, and *photosynthesis naturally fixes carbon dioxide (the main greenhouse gas) and releases oxygen..”

A secure, green future

Biodiversity is vital in order for our ecosystems to function successfully. Limited biodiversity therefore affects the links in our ecosystem such as the oxygen we breathe and the food we grow. Ecosystem services play an important role in mitigating climate change. Through its landscape-oriented approach, Life Terra combines knowledge and expertise of the climate and biodiversity research and deploys nature in order to work for a secure, green future. Claudy: “Soon enough, we'll find ourselves planting trees again with a group of 100 colleagues. What is the most important message you want to give them?” Prof. Santi: “Everyone is worried about our planet – there are 8 billion of us on this earth and climate change is a fact of life. Try to understand what is going on. Once people understand what is really going on, we become more committed and motivated to make a real difference. Not just for us, but for generations to come. And secondly, know what you're doing. Try to familiarize yourself with the types of trees, the subsoil, the landscape, the conditions under which trees grow and the impact of large-scale deforestation on climate change. You have to do your homework. It's not just about planting a tree – it's about making a conscious contribution to nature. Humans are part of the greater whole in which everything is closely interrelated – we are also elements in nature. So, take action both at home and at work.”

Focus op good news

Claudy: “We can all do our bit. We can also do small things at home to help combat climate change and loss of nature.”

Prof. Santi: “We should actually appreciate what we can do at home. We don't have to travel so far – we can also enjoy our local neighborhood. Everything we need is within reach. We're just not always aware of it. We need to become aware of what we already have, rather than focusing on what we don't have. After all, having more doesn't necessarily make us happier. It's about managing your expectations. Focus on the good news – because it's there – you just have to be aware of it. Accept what you have and be grateful for it. Be aware of the things we want to protect.”

Claudy: “Lastly, do you have a good tip on what we can do as both companies and individuals?”

Prof. Santi: “Companies can have a lot of influence. They shouldn't just come up with plans – they should actually execute them, too. Actions speak louder than words. Raise awareness, share your knowledge with others, connect with one another and work together. Build positive relationships – don't just think about economic interests. That way, you will contribute to a better-functioning world together.”