Dr. Ian Brettell

"We can't reach our climate goals without nature" 

Ian Brettell is the Biodiversity Policy Officer at ETH Zurich's Crowther Lab. Their recent publication in Nature reveals the astonishing potential for carbon sequestration through global ecosystem restoration, particularly focusing on degraded forests. This restoration could mitigate one-third of human historical carbon emissions, a vital step towards addressing climate change. 

Climate and biodiversity are inextricably linked, and a healthy natural environment is pivotal for achieving global climate objectives. As such, climate change and biodiversity loss must be tackled simultaneously. 

Nature also plays a fundamental role in the global economy, however it is often not accounted for. The current economic model must evolve to bring nature into decision-making. Ian suggests a shift towards an economy that harmoniously integrates nature and human prosperity – a transition that requires innovative policy and private sector collaboration. 

Crowther Lab's initiatives, such as the open data platform Restor and the Seed Biocomplexity Index, are central to this vision. These tools aim to empower local communities, enhance conservation efforts, and provide governments and businesses with critical data to measure and mitigate their environmental impact. 

The future illustrated by Brettell is one where nature-based solutions receive the funding and attention they deserve, closing the significant annual funding gap in ecosystem restoration. The hope is that COP28 will catalyse these changes, steering the world towards a more nature-positive economy and a resilient planet.