LCAW: How Nature-Based Solutions Can Power Climate Action

Sustainability LIVE: The Leadership Summit, in association with Philip Morris International, convened senior sustainability executives to explore how nature-based solutions can support climate mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity goals. 

The Nature-Based Solutions Summit panel, sponsored by Shell, provided expert insights into embedding nature-positive strategies across operations and supply chains. 

Speaking on the panel: 

• Janneke Abels, VP of Nature-based Solutions, Shell
• Derrick Emsley, CEO & Co-Founder, veritree
• Henning Huenteler, Partner, EMEA Carbon Markets Lead, Bain & Company, Inc.

This exclusive event offers a valuable opportunity for business leaders to learn, connect and drive meaningful environmental impact.

Nature for net zero

On the panel, Janneke, Derrick and Henning discussed how essential nature based solutions are, as well as how difficult they are to incorporate efficiently into businesses.

"Companies need to start with why and then how best to do that," Janneke said, acknowledging that nature based solutions need to be warranted and trusted.

Derrick highlighted that "nature based solutions are going through an evolution" with Henning continuing that "the value for nature is very clearly understood, the value for corporate is much more difficult for CSOs and CFOs to sign off on."

"It's important for us to offer different solutions for our customers to make sure that we can provide and deliver on long-term commitments," says Janneke.

Whether its working with corporates, NGOs or local communities, nature based solutions require people to "understand the risk, identify the risk and share the risk," as Henning says.

All panellists discussed their partnerships and how they are all helping to conserve ecosystems and rainforest biodiversity, especially in South America.

It is known that nature based solutions cannot scale without technological and data growth. "We have built the technology to keep an eye on the pulse of the project and make sure the project delivers," said Derrick about Veritree.

Concluding the panel, the speakers were asked how to incorporate nature based solutions:

"Just start somewhere at take the step," says Janneke.

Derrick added, "Don't focus on perfection, it's not a straight line."

"Focus on the long term," Henning concluded.

Using nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions are increasingly recognised as a critical component of global sustainability strategies, helping organisations tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and wider environmental challenges while supporting progress towards net zero emissions by 2050. 

Defined by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as actions that protect, sustainably manage and restore natural and modified ecosystems, nature-based solutions encompass initiatives such as coastal protection, water management, land restoration and urban greening. 

According to UNEP, high-integrity nature-based solutions projects could mitigate up to 10 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to approximately 27% of current global emissions, making them a significant complement to broader decarbonisation efforts. 

Beyond climate mitigation, investments in nature-based solutions can help conserve biodiversity, strengthen ecosystem resilience, improve climate adaptation and reduce the financial risks associated with climate change and nature loss.

Despite their growing importance, significant barriers remain. 

The World Economic Forum has identified biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse as one of the most severe global risks over the next decade, yet nature-positive initiatives continue to face a substantial funding shortfall. 

According to UNEP's State of Finance for Nature Report, there is an annual financing gap of approximately US$700bn, with private finance accounting for only 17% of total investment in nature-based solutions. 

To meet global environmental goals, annual investment must increase from US$154bn to US$384bn, highlighting the urgent need for greater private-sector participation.

As governments, businesses and investors look for scalable pathways to address interconnected climate and nature challenges, nature-based solutions are emerging as an increasingly important mechanism for delivering both environmental and economic value.