Why carbon positive and nature positive solutions go hand-in-hand

Although they may use different terminology, carbon positive and nature positive approaches both significantly support biodiversity conservation. At Carbon Positive Australia, we believe that being carbon positive and nature positive are closely linked. Keep reading to learn more.

Being carbon positive refers to a state where an individual, corporation, or community goes beyond achieving carbon neutrality by actively removing more carbon dioxide (CO2e) from the atmosphere than it emits. In other words, being carbon positive means that the overall carbon footprint not only offsets but also contributes to a net reduction of CO2e in the atmosphere.

Many individuals and businesses are now aiming to go one step further by becoming carbon positive, setting targets to offset more than their current emissions. These goals can include: 

• Playing a role in halting deforestation 
• Eliminating deforestation in the supply chain 
• Eliminating fossil fuel use 
• Choosing a supply chain that is at “least” carbon neutral  
• Supporting sustainable agriculture  
• Sourcing all energy needs from renewables  
• Playing a role in offsetting the carbon emitted through the burning of fossil fuels in the past  
• Putting in place strategic and operational policies that support a carbon positive future  
• Advocating for public policy changes to being about transformational change  
• Supporting nature based solutions to climate change, such as reforestation 

Being nature positive refers to the concept of going beyond traditional conservation efforts and aims to actively restore and enhance the health of ecosystems and biodiversity. Just as being carbon positive means going beyond carbon neutrality, being nature positive involves more than just minimising harm to nature. It involves actively contributing to the regeneration and flourishing of our ecosystems.

Preserving our flora and fauna plays a significant role in combatting climate change. Many of our ecosystems are also some of our most valuable carbon stores, and with their destruction we lose our ability to become carbon positive. A loss of one species, whether plant or animal, can significantly impact other species, including us as humans, and have devastating impacts to our environment.

Being nature positive calls for the recognition that tackling climate change should also strongly focus on protecting biodiversity. Nature position actions include:

• Putting our ecosystems into a state where they are restoring and regenerating rather than declining 
• Measuring metrics such as tree cover, the integrity of habitats and the number of species  
• Valuing nature and its services that we all need and rely upon for our health and wellbeing

We believe that integrating carbon positive and nature positive solutions is essential for addressing the interconnected environmental challenges we face. Bringing these solutions together can build a sustainable future for both humans the diverse ecosystems we rely on.

At Carbon Positive Australia, we develop tree planting and revegetation projects that are developed from the get go to be nature positive. This means we work to protect and restore ecosystems while also restoring CO2e from the atmosphere. 

While we strive to integrate both carbon positive and nature positive solutions into our work and recognise that our Earth’s health relies on these interconnected processes, we also acknowledge that we can’t do it alone.

Find out more about the below links to learn how you can integrate nature positive solutions into your life, whether as individual or business.   
Nature Positive Solutions for Individuals
Nature Positive Solutions for Businesses