SUSTAINABILITY
• Materials supply ( moving to alternative and circular feedstocks to reduce corporate carbon and nature footprints , avoiding trade-offs and unintended consequences )
What about frogs ?
Amphibians , particularly frogs and toads , are among the most affected species by environmental changes and chemical pollutants . Due to their permeable skin , reliance on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems , and life cycles that span both environments , amphibians are highly sensitive to pollution . As sentinel species , their decline serves as an early warning of broader ecological problems .
Setting aside climate , water and land use change , and focusing specifically on the severe and multifaceted impacts of chemical pollution on amphibians , we can note the following :
• Hormonal imbalances , due to endocrine-disrupting chemicals , such as atrazine
• Developmental deformities , such as malformed limbs and underdeveloped organs , due to exposure to pesticides and industrial pollutants
• Habitat degradation , caused by agricultural run-off , eutrophication , and acid rain , which create unsuitable environments for amphibian survival
• Biomagnification , where entire ecosystems are affected by pollutants like heavy metals and persistent chemicals that bioaccumulate in amphibian tissues The decline of amphibians has profound ecological consequences . As both predators and prey , amphibians maintain the balance of ecosystems by controlling insect populations and serving as a food source for other species . Their disappearance disrupts food chains , and their role as bioindicators highlights environmental degradation .
References : 1 : International Energy Agency ( IEA ), Chemicals . https :// www . iea . org / energysystem / industry / chemicals 2 : World Resources Institute ( WRI ), World Greenhouse Gas Emissions , 2020 . https :// www . wri . org / data / world-greenhouse-gasemissions-2020 3 : World Economic Forum ( WEF ), Nature Risk Rising : Why the Crisis Engulfing Nature Matters for Business & the Economy , 2020 . https :// www . weforum . org / publications / nature-risk-rising-why-the-crisis-engulfing-
Conversely , solutions to mitigate these declines include stricter regulation of harmful chemicals , habitat restoration and promoting sustainable agricultural practices .
Amphibians ’ circumstances are a powerful indicator of the environmental cost of unchecked chemical pollution , going far beyond the rhetoric of ‘ nature-positive ’. This is tangible proof of the impact of pollutants , helping explain why nature strategies and risk assessments are key for chemical companies .
Nature-based strategies
As anticipated , many chemical companies have embarked on a climate journey and there are strong similarities in approach . First and foremost is the sciencebased perspective for assessment , management and reporting . On a tactical level , many of the actions to achieve these are in common .
Where no carbon strategy is already in place , a biodiversity-driven approach more positively impacts the climate strategy versus the other way around . Figure 2 shows how actions seen through the biodiversity and climate lens are intertwined . So far , we can conclude that :
• There are clear paths to develop nature strategies
• Existing climate strategies can represent a strong foundation
• Nature ambitions should be holistic and science-based A modular approach would allow companies to exceed current frameworks and , if very carbonfocused , to address nature issues that require a more localised and sitespecific approach .
Six-step approach
All businesses depend on and impact ecosystem services . Not managing these dependencies , having already
nature-matters-for-business-and-the- economy / 4 : United Nations Environment Programme ( UNEP ), 2015 . https :// www . unep . org / resources / kunming-montreal-globalbiodiversity-framework
overcome Earth system boundaries , would cause physical and transition risk . Only a holistic approach , one that does not just focus on mitigating unwanted side-effects but aims at nature-positive solutions , would ensure full awareness of the interdependencies between climate and nature strategies .
Quantis and BCG , who are closely involvement in the development of science-based targets for nature methodology and consulting expertise , would propose a six-step approach fully aligned with the aforementioned methods and reporting requirements ( EU CSRD , SBTN and TNFD ).
After having aligned and reviewed with all stakeholders on the company nature commitments and maturity , the company would then assess its holistic impacts in terms of risks and opportunities . Finally , based on transition and physical risks , the next step would be to set targets , plan actions , execute and track outcomes .
Companies that take bold steps today towards a net-zero , naturepositive business model will undoubtedly enjoy competitive advantages , from more resilient and sustainable supply chains to a positive public image , from innovative green products to greater support from the financial sector . The chemical industry is known for R & D and innovation – let ’ s use it for the greater good ! ●
J j
Philipp Meister
GLOBAL LEAD , CHEMICALS
QUANTIS NAME meister . philipp @ quantis . com www . quantis . com
MAR / APR 2025 SPECCHEMONLINE . COM
65