- Three new publications from GNF and OroVerde show companies how climate and forest protection can be effectively combined
- In focus: reducing emissions, dealing with unavoidable emissions and voluntary commitment to the forest
- Credible climate protection strengthens SMEs in the long term and increases their competitiveness
Bonn, June 30, 2025; The recent forest fires in Canada once again make it clear that the consequences of the climate crisis know no boundaries. Clouds of smoke drifted thousands of kilometers and covered the sky as far as southern Germany – a visible warning signal of the urgency of climate and forest protection. But how can companies make an effective and credible contribution to climate protection – and at the same time preserve forests that are indispensable for the climate, biodiversity and people worldwide?
This question is the focus of three new publications recently published jointly by the Global Nature Fund (GNF) and OroVerde – The Tropical Forest Foundation. The materials are aimed in particular at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and show in a practical way how emissions reduction, dealing with unavoidable emissions and voluntary commitment to the forest can be embedded in a corporate climate strategy.
“Forests store enormous amounts of carbon, regulate the water cycle, provide a habitat for biodiversity and secure the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide,” explains Martina Schaub, OroVerde CEO. At the same time, companies are increasingly expected to take responsibility beyond their own business area as part of their sustainability strategies.
The three new publications offer SMEs concrete assistance:
- Guide to carbon credits from forests
A comprehensive overview of the voluntary carbon market, the role of forest projects in climate protection and quality criteria for credible carbon credits. The guide picks up on current scientific and political developments and shows how companies can meaningfully integrate forest projects into their climate strategy – without replacing the necessary decarbonization.
- Unavoidable emissions: What SMEs need to know
Many companies set themselves reduction targets – but what does reduction to the “unavoidable” actually mean? The guide provides orientation on how SMEs can systematically and in a structured manner deal with emissions that are not (yet) avoidable.
- Brief info: Emission reduction for SMEs
A compact introduction for companies that want to take their first steps towards reducing emissions. The factsheet shows how SMEs can develop ideas for reducing emissions, set realistic targets and derive suitable measures – taking into account the EU Taxonomy and the EU Taxonomy Compass.
“Credible climate protection holds numerous opportunities for SMEs – increases competitiveness, attractiveness for new employees and resilience to the consequences of climate change,” adds Stefan Hörmann, Managing Director of the Global Nature Fund.
The publications can be downloaded here free of charge:
https://www.regenwald-schuetzen.org/projekte/forschung-und-studien/aktuelle-highlights/freiwilliger-kohlenstoffmarkt-fuer-kmu
https://globalnature.org/project/klimaschutz-mit-waldprojekten/
The publications were produced as part of the project “Climate neutrality? Analysis and evaluation of the voluntary carbon market in the forest sector (KliKoWald)”. The project is funded by:
Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV)
You can find out more about the “Avoiding emissions in companies” project here: https://globalnature.org/project/klimaschutz-mit-waldprojekten/
About the Global Nature Fund (GNF)
The Global Nature Fund (GNF) is an international foundation registered in Germany. The GNF is committed to sustainable global development within planetary boundaries through worldwide nature and environmental protection projects. The aim is to promote a healthy planet and intact biological diversity as the basis of life for people and nature. The GNF focuses on nature conservation, climate protection, water protection and economy & sustainability.
www.globalnature.org
About OroVerde
For over 30 years, OroVerde has been working as a non-profit foundation for the protection of tropical rainforests. They work with local partners on the ground to promote sustainable development projects that protect the rainforest and its people. In addition, a central task is to initiate the political and social transformation towards a rainforest-friendly society.
www.regenwald-schuetzen.org