COP30: Forests, Biodiversity and the Business Commitment to a Regenerative Future

The "Nature" COP

COP30, which is taking place in the Brazilian city of Belém, marks a decisive moment for global climate action. The fact that it is taking place in the Amazon, the largest reservoir of biodiversity on the planet, raises expectations regarding the advancement of forest protection policies, the economic valuation of ecosystems and the strengthening of corporate responsibility. In a context where there are more than a million species at risk of extinction and great pressure on natural resources - which in turn threatens critical ecosystem services such as clean air, drinking water and food - the conference could redefine the ambition and credibility of international environmental policies. Dubbed the "Nature COP", this conference aims to unite the climate and biodiversity agendas into a single coherent strategy.

Accountability Mechanisms

One of the central themes will be the strengthening of corporate responsibility mechanismsespecially in the value chains associated with commodities forest risk. Companies from various sectors, including retail, are under increasing scrutiny to ensure responsible practices throughout the chain. COP30 is expected to deepen the debate on global standards for due diligenceThe debate will also focus on the integrity of nature-based carbon credits, preventing deforestation, ensuring transparency and promoting robust verification systems. It will also be crucial to discuss the integrity of nature-based carbon credits, with a focus on scientific rigor, environmental quality and compatibility with national emission reduction targets.

It is in this context that Sonae's vision takes a clear stance, recognizing that the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems is essential for the resilience of value chains, the protection of natural resources and the creation of long-term value. In addition to its commitments to combat deforestation, the company has been actively mapping its dependencies and risks associated with nature and biodiversity and progressively working on environmental and social criteria to be implemented in its relationship with suppliers. Sonae believes that this promotes responsible practices that drive the climate transition and the regeneration of nature, but also contributes to the resilience of its activity. COP30 therefore represents an opportunity to reinforce this path and align corporate ambition with global goals.

Forestry Agreements and Nature Based Solutions

Biodiversity is increasingly seen as a strategic economic asset. With more than half of the global economy dependent on nature, the conference is expected to encourage development models based on the bioeconomy, biotechnology and natural-based products, creating opportunities for both local communities and companies that integrate this dimension of sustainability into their DNA.

COP30 also generates the expectation of consolidating global models for solutions Nature Based and that, with these solutions, it will be possible to define credibility criteria and encourage their integration into national climate strategies. On the other hand, progress is expected on an international pact to protect tropical forests and support communities that act as guardians of ecosystems - the Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF) was officially launched at the beginning of November and has already been endorsed by 53 countries. This is, of course, a particularly relevant topic for companies that value the stability of supply chains and the resilience of natural systems.

This conference reinforces the urgency of translating ambition into concrete results. For Sonae, which recognizes the strategic role of companies in protecting nature, COP30 represents a milestone for deepening commitments, accelerating collective action and contributing to a more regenerative economic model.

If the conference succeeds in articulating robust accountability mechanisms, integrating biodiversity into financial decisions and consolidating nature-based solutions as pillars of climate policies, it could pave the way for a decade of systemic transformation that will benefit the planet, the economy and society.

By Martim Santos, Sustainability Director at Sonae