HP
HP
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NATURE
In Maramureș, northern Romania, some residents still say a prayer before cutting down a tree. Locals describe the surrounding forest as“ like a brother”. This longstanding relationship with the environment and commitment to stewardship led to the surrounding woodland and the broader Carpathian forest being designated as a UNESCO-protected area. In 2010, the Maramureș forest also received Forest Stewardship Council( FSC) certification.
An increasing number of businesses that rely on wood and forestry resources are adopting nature-based solutions( NBS) to support sustainability and ensure business continuity.
Forests are more than a source of wood. They are vital ecosystems that support thousands of species and provide food, medicine, fuel, and employment for local communities.
Until recently, critics argued that NBS in business sustainability strategies amounted to greenwashing. Many NBS programmes still lack transparency and verifiability, and are often viewed as offsets rather than genuine emission reductions.
However, in recent years, NBS has become a more viable option for businesses seeking to reduce their environmental impact. If widely trusted, NBS could deliver significant benefits.
“ Nature-based solutions offer practical, cross-sectoral solutions – from infrastructure to agriculture – that align climate, biodiversity, and development goals,” writes The World Bank.
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