WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rita Hite, president & CEO of the American Forest Foundation, issued this statement following the release of the Science Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) Corporate Net-Zero Standard (CNZS) Version 2.0 for public comment:  

“Science tells us that we need to use every tool in the toolbox to mitigate climate change—and that must include funding solutions that support nature. The revisions to SBTi’s CNZS represent a significant step toward providing a workable framework for companies to meaningfully address their climate impact and fund nature now. Under this guidance, high-quality and high-integrity nature-based solutions can now play a key role in climate mitigation.  

The reality is that nature does not care whether climate action happens within or outside a corporate framework—just that it happens. The key, though, is that standardization that includes pathways to fund nature enables this action, which is what really matters. SBTi’s revisions to this standard signify the importance of following improvements in science and accounting, just as we demand other stakeholders—project developers, ratings agencies, and crediting bodies—to do the same. This is a major step in the continued pursuit of highest quality and integrity in climate action—for the sake of our forests, our communities, and the planet.” 

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About The American Forest Foundation 

The American Forest Foundation is a national organization that empowers family forest owners to deliver meaningful conservation impact. The organization’s programs, the Family Forest Carbon Program and the American Tree Farm System, help landowners implement forest management practices to care for the health and productivity of their woodlands. To learn more about the American Forest Foundation and the Family Forest Carbon Program, visit www.forestfoundation.org.