The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the UN General Assembly reflects directly on the importance of the ecosystem. A collective action plan built around 17 major global challenges that address issues related to benefiting people, the planet and global prosperity, the Sustainable Development Goals. These objectives are connected to each other, and progressing in achieving one means progressing towards the others; and biodiversity is the common denominator of all of them because it is fundamental for the development and well-being of humanity. How does Biodiversity influence economic prosperity and general well-being? It is the basis. More than half of all goods and services worldwide depend directly or indirectly on natural resources. Especially in developing countries, where it is not only a source of food but also the main source of income for the population. Industries such as pharmaceuticals or the beauty sector depend directly on biodiversity. Nature is the source of many drugs used in modern medicine that come from natural plants, animals and microorganisms. How does biodiversity influence the Earth? Ecosystems capture and store greenhouse gases, making them a great ally in mitigating climate change. In fact, healthy ecosystems provide up to 37% of the mitigation needed to stop global warming. They are a barrier against natural disasters such as floods, storms, droughts, among others. They can also protect against the spread of diseases: where native biodiversity is high, the rate of infection from zoonotic diseases, such as COVID-19, is lower. It’s nature’s time. Humans are destroying the planet’s biodiversity. Our consumption habits and general lifestyle have caused 8% of all known animal breeds to become extinct and 22% to become endangered. Water acidification from pollution has caused large-scale loss of marine biodiversity, with hundreds of fish species already gone. It is time to take care of nature and preserve ecosystems. There is still time to reverse the loss of biodiversity, we must understand that this is the only way to restore and maintain a healthy planet, and the lives it sustains. To do so, there must be a dramatic change in the development policies, incentives and actions of all governments, businesses and citizens.

This renewable fuel is a great ally for the energy transition and a key player for the CO2 zero emission path. Environmentally friendly Biogas is an alternative fuel that is extracted from organic matter that is biodegraded by the existence of microorganisms in the absence of oxygen. In other words, it comes from all those organic wastes that we dispose of in our daily lives, both at a private and industrial level. From the shell of an egg to the pruning of parks and gardens or the sludge from sewage treatment plants. For this reason, we can say that biogas is a source of renewable energy, as it gives value to the waste by introducing it into the raw material chain, which in turn means reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It can be used to produce electricity, heat or motion. Biogas can be used for any of the major energy applications: electric, thermal or as a fuel. It can be channelled for direct use in a boiler adapted for combustion, and even injected into existing natural gas infrastructures, both for transport and distribution. Currently, the use of biogas is focused on generating electricity for the operation of industrial plants and, simultaneously, for the generation of heat that is used in production processes. However, in order to guarantee the success of these plants, they must process the incoming waste in a stable manner and with a high degree of automation. Biogas engines have a wide range of applications, the most common being water pumping, ration chopping and the operation of milking machines in rural areas. The other widespread use is to drive many types of electricity generators. Good for the economy So far, landfills, sewage treatment plants and municipal waste treatment plants have taken over almost all waste management. However, possibilities have already opened up for biogas plants to have an option to favour self-consumption, eliminating hydrocarbon taxes for these facilities and, above all, encouraging the production of biomethane, i.e. methane gas of biological origin. Biogas in Europe In many European countries, it is now on the roadmap. Experts believe that economic obligations and incentives will inevitably be put in place and that for some companies it will also be a question of image. Considering that the target for 2030 is for CO2 emissions to be cut by 40% from 1990 levels, it is clear that emission reductions in the order of 55% from current levels are necessary. This 55% is an intermediate target, as the final goal by 2050 is for CO2 emissions to be ZERO.

Cities are currently facing countless natural or man-made disasters, from earthquakes, fires, mass migration … These types of situations are increasingly frequent due to factors such as rapid urbanization, climate change or political instability. Resilience is a concept that, in the case of cities, consists of having the capacity to prepare, resist and recover from a crisis in order to protect and improve people’s lives, ensure the benefits of development and drive a positive change. It provides a strategic framework that includes risk assessment and tools to face these economic, social and environmental challenges in our cities. “Globally, more people live in urban areas than in rural areas, with 55 % of the world’s population residing in urban areas in 2018. In 1950, 30 % of the world’s population was urban, and by 2050, 68 % of the world’s population is projected to be urban” (https://population.un.org/wup/Publications/Files/WUP2018-KeyFacts.pdf) The factors that most affect cities are those related to the consequences of climate change. These effects include devastating events such as floods, droughts or forest fires, which have generated catastrophic impacts on our planet. Generating challenges and uncertainties for society, the economy and the environment. It can affect basic public services, such as the supply of water or energy, essential for the performance of cities. Therefore, as the effects of climate change become more severe and frequent, it is necessary to adopt measures to make cities more resilient, reduce their vulnerability, and thus mitigate these changes and reduce their negative impact. “70 percent of cities are already dealing with the effects of climate change, and almost all are at risk. For instance, over 90 percent of all urban areas are coastal, which puts most cities across the globe at risk of flooding from sea level rise and powerful storms”. Climate change is a growing threat! It directly affects the ability of countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and could even reverse the achievements made in recent decades. The ability of cities to adapt to crisis situations and the threats of climate change is decisive for their sustainability and future. According to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) (https://unhabitat.org/) To be truly resilient, cities should work towards sustainability to ensure positive long-term impacts, and in the same manner, being truly sustainable entails incorporating resilience to drive and protect development goals. The time to act is NOW, we need resilient and sustainable cities! These are some of the proposals by the United Nations to achieve Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by 2030. Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and improve slums. Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transportation systems for all by expanding public transportation. Increase sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable planning and management of human settlements in all countries. Double efforts to protect cultural and natural heritage Minimize deaths from disasters, including those related to water, and those affected by them, and greatly reduce economic losses. Reduce the negative environmental impact per capita of cities. Provide universal access to green areas and public spaces. Increase the number of cities that adopt and implement integrated policies and plans to promote inclusion, efficient use of resources, mitigation of and adaptation to climate change and resilience to disasters. Provide support to least developed countries, including through financial and technical assistance, to enable them to build sustainable and resilient buildings using local materials. Innovation is part of the solution to help cities resist, adapt and quickly recover from crises. Comprehensive risk management services including monitoring of service and infrastructure networks, simulation models, action protocols and alert systems to find out the state of the city in real time. Learn about how we work with cities to build urban resilience (http://urbanresiliencehub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CRPT-Guide.pdf)[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” spacing_medium=”” spacing_small=”” padding_dimensions_medium=”” padding_dimensions_small=”” border_sizes=”” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” render_logics=”” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true”][fusion_youtube id=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsacBJpbIPQ” alignment=”center” autoplay=”false” api_params=”” title_attribute=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” css_id=”” /][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

In this article we tell you the top 3 most sustainable companies according to Corporate Knights. The Canadian research firm, Corporate Knights, is a financial information company focused on sustainability, it ranks large companies worldwide, The list, The Global 100, is determined by the performance of the companies by reducing carbon and waste, their kind diversity among leadership, clean product revenue, and overall sustainability. https://www.corporateknights.com/rankings/global-100-rankings/2019-global-100-rankings/2019-global-100-results/ 1. Chr. Hansen Holding It is a Danish bioscience firm that makes more than 80% of its revenue by developing natural solutions to preserve foods like yoghurt and milk, protect crops with natural bacteria instead of pesticides, and search for alternatives to animal antibiotics. 2. Kering SA It is a French firm best known for consumer-oriented brands owner of firms such as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen, among others. The brand has shown that it takes sustainability seriously by getting more than 40% of its products from certified sustainable sources, and it is always looking for ways to improve that percentage. More than 60% of the Kering board of directors is made up of women, the gender composition of most large companies shows less than 20%. 3. Neste Corporation Based in Finland, until very recently, it was a fossil fuel company that refined oil to burn and generated greenhouse gas emissions in the process. But the firm changed its view, and now more than 50% of Neste’s investments go to the development of products such as renewable biofuels. Currently, 25% of the company’s income comes from biofuel refining, and its goal is to increase that figure in the coming years. Neste’s biofuel business represents 50% of its profits. More information on the methodology of the ranking.