A new nature positive certification rewards companies looking to save the world

Global GreenTag International has announced a nature positive certification for products that focus on repairing nature and the climate.

The NaturePostive+ Standard, launched at Circularity 2023, was designed to become the new benchmark in the certification sector for manufacturers, built environment and other industries to help shift industry focus to biodiversity and nature repair as a priority.

The program also involves a NaturePositive+ declaration program and a product transparency declaration program, with product manufacturers looking to meet standards needing to focus on achieving carbon drawdown through improving biodiversity.

Its first certified product, Bird Habitats, was also announced on Tuesday.

Global GreenTag International founder and chief executive, David Baggs told The Fifth Estate, the certification was a first as far as he is aware.

“I believe it’s definitely a world first – nothing else comes near it or provides such a complete set of metrics or the level of transparency and no one else has a set of benefit indicators like the set we are using from the Evah Institute.

“It was a big day and a culmination of one year of thinking how to do what was needed and then about two in delivery, so I’m feeling a lot lighter this morning, even though now is when the real work starts – to get the industry to buy into the concept and start repairing nature!

“At least we have a great team to take the bulk of that load,” Baggs added.

Baggs told a crowd of climate and circularity experts at the conference that biodiversity was crucial in generating carbon sink potential above ground and within the soil, enabling climate repair by taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and not just deferred.

“We are changing the focus on what kind of offsets are purchased by offsetting carbon using ecosystem and forest restoration – a process that 190 nations have already signed up to through the recent global Montreal Kunming Biodiversity Protocol.

“Our intent is to help manufacturing and construction sectors first, to get up and running in nature and climate repair. Products are the basis of our lifestyles and the entire built environment, so we have to focus on the quality of products and materials that are being made.

“What we see as missing are the scientific metrics for manufacturers to reach for and be guided by that allow the importance of nature and the repair of nature to be included in the assessment and ultimate certification of each product.”

And a nesting haven has become its first certified products

The organisation also announced Victorian manufacturer Bird Habitats, has become the first product hit the market after certification requirements.

The product involves creating homes for wild birds and mammals to raise their young through the use of non-toxic waste materials from existing manufacturing processes. The product is already on trial in pockets of Australia to assist species whose natural habitats has been decimated by the encroachment of urban development and natural disasters.

The product prototype consists of a “humble nest box” that paints “the vision of what a nature positive product can bring to the future”.

The design incorporates thermal infrastructure that mimics the thermal performance of natural log hollows.

Baggs said the product had met the primary cornerstone of the certification, which involves improving biodiversity, along with eight other metrics and criteria involved in the declaration process, which involved strict quantification and investigation.

“Thermal Haven Nest Boxes is not just a product, it’s an environmental and social project,” Baggs said.

“Biodiversity needs to be honoured because of its importance in nature and climate repair. A healthy ecosystem generates carbon sink potential not only above ground in trees, but also permanently within soil, wetlands, and reefs.”