Communications

Businesses should understand how to effectively communicate their use of NCS Credits, which is paramount in showcasing their commitment to sustainability.

 

These resources were curated with help from Nature4Climate.

 

The topics Claims, Reporting and Communication are all interlinked, however the scope can be clarified as follows:

  • Claiming is the act of announcing the effort and result of voluntary mitigation action.
  • Reporting generally requires transparent, intelligible, and sufficient disclosure on not only usage of carbon credits, but also its connection with overall decarbonization journey (e.g. direct and indirect emissions, SBTi targets, emissions reduction measures and the results, and support for beyond value chain mitigation action).
  • Communication involve sharing information about sustainability initiatives with internal and external audiences to build trust and demonstrate commitment to environmental responsibility.

Corporate Voices

Corporate voices are essential in the dialogue about Natural Climate Solutions and the VCM. Transparency about current actions and motivations can strengthen momentum, demonstrating that companies investing in NCS are decarbonizing faster and are more likely to meet climate targets by leveraging all available tools. Here are some examples from leading companies:

Apple

  • "Mother nature needs a status report."

Bain

  • "First VCMI Carbon Intergrity Platinum Claim."

Amazon

  • An update on Amazon's sustainability efforts: Here's what we're doing to aid nature-based solutions and carbon removal.

Bayer

  • How can companies protect and restore forests in a global climate crisis.

OTHER RESOURCES

Climate Justice Centered Language Guide

  • From Wildlife Works, a tool designed to help stakeholders critically examine how language shapes power dynamics within international development, conservation, and the carbon market.

Communicating Natural Climate Solutions: Webinar

  • Part of the 24hr NCS Summit series, this recording provides concrete recommendations on how to communicate the use of NCS credits and how technology can support transparent and meaningful communication.

3 Sustainability Marketing Pitfalls

  • — and how to turn them into wins.

Communicating Climate Change

  • A podcast that digs deep into the best practices, the worst offenses, the pitfalls, and the paragons, to help improve your abilities to engage, empower, and ultimately, activate audiences on climate-related issues.

7 Tips for Communicating Nature Positive Ambition

  • What does being nature-positive really mean? How do we get there? Who is responsible? How do we talk about it?

Communications Toolkit

  • Author: Nature4Climate. The toolkit includes links to the ‘Do’s and Don’ts of language’ which includes guidance on the use of ‘credit’ as opposed to ‘offset’. It also features links to op eds written from Indigenous perspectives and links to an article on Communicating Climate and Nature in 2023.

The Climate Dictionary

  • Author: UNDP. For those new to the climate discussion, it can be quite challenging to grasp everything at once. That’s why this resource explains the most common climate change terms and concepts.

Communicating on Climate Change

  • Author: United Nations. Encourages the use of authoritative scientific information to counter misinformation about the crisis, using trusted messengers, sharing problems and solutions and mobilizing action by conveying urgency.

Outrage and Optimism Podcast

  • This podcast examines issues at the forefront of the climate crisis. In this episode, the show’s hosts interview John Marshall, CEO of Potential Energy Coalition. John reveals how to communicate about climate so people will listen.