And the fact is that biodiversity and climate change are linked. Natural forests that have been allowed to grow organically while maintaining biodiversity sequester more carbon than plantations. Co-planting systems of different trees and crops are better than plantations, but still do not beat forests that have been left to grow freely for a long time. Given the complexity of nature's systems, it is not surprising that it works best when humans do not interfere at all.

Historically, we have focused on species of plants and animals that have been particularly beneficial to humans in one way or another. Lots of food or easy to grow? Perfect. As a result, we now have one type of corn, one type of wheat and one type of banana instead of many different varieties. Lots of Swedish crops have been lost. Depleted ecosystems are vulnerable to change because they lack the resilience needed to withstand it. Different plants interact and are dependent on each other, and when one is wiped out, it affects the entire chain of an ecosystem. Insects and animals are also affected and the snowball is rolling. If important pollinators cannot find enough food, it has a major impact on our food supply as well, as they are part of a long chain.

Our carbon offset projects are built in holistically sustainable ways where biodiversity conservation is an important piece of the puzzle. We work on projects that both conserve natural forests and replant and restore degraded areas. Mangrove forests are one example. The projects that restore deforested areas work on agroforestry systems where the all-important variety of plants and trees is central. This approach to restoring natural ecosystems has positive effects on climate as it promotes carbon sequestration, project participants and biodiversity.

Find out more about how some of our projects are working to protect biodiversity:

• Vanga Blue Forest Mangrove, Kenya
• Bujang Raba REDD+, Indonesia
• Trees for Global Benefits, Uganda
• Sustainable pastures in Mongolia