The new direction of sustainability

illuminem is proud to partner with Green Future Project (GFP) on a series of webinars to help businesses navigate the challenges of decarbonisation. 

At a time when the stakes for environmental and economic stability have never been higher, our recent webinar titled "The new direction for sustainability" (or “La nuova direzione della sostenibilità” in Italian) tackled the critical intersection of biodiversity and energy transition. Moderated by Marco Caselli (CMO at Green Future Project), the event brought together Nicola Armaroli, Research Director at the Italian National Research Council (CNR) and member of the Italian National Academy of Sciences, Alessandro Leonardi (CEO at Etifor), Giulia Burchi (Impact & Project Manager at Green Future Project), and Valeria Barbi (Biodiversity & Climate Change Advisor, Founder at Wane) - four experts with sharp insights on what needs to change, and how.

Why now? Addressing the urgency

Climate disruption and biodiversity collapse are no longer abstract threats - they’re shaping economies, reshaping landscapes, and testing the limits of what can be ignored. From extreme weather to fragile ecosystems, the need to align business and policy with sustainability is inescapable. The panellists wasted no time identifying how the private sector must accelerate its response, making it a practical and an ethical imperative.

Where businesses can take the lead

Leveraging renewables to respect biodiversity

Nicola Armaroli dismantled the myth that renewable energy inevitably harms biodiversity. Italy’s renewables sector provided the backdrop for his argument: photovoltaic systems occupy just 864 square kilometres - less than 0.3% of the nation’s landmass. Furthermore, much of the expansion needed to meet 2030 targets could take place on disused industrial sites, minimising disruption to ecosystems.

Businesses, he argued, must start closer to home by assessing their own energy use. Conducting energy audits can uncover inefficiencies and pinpoint opportunities to integrate renewables without unnecessary land use. The challenge, Armaroli noted, is not technology, but decisions - organisations that delay action will miss opportunities both to cut costs and lead responsibly.

Nature-based solutions: a practical investment

Giulia Burchi championed Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) as an effective way for companies to align environmental action with measurable benefits. Using mangrove restoration as an example, she illustrated how NBS projects not only absorb carbon and mitigate flooding but also ensure biodiversity presence and enhance livelihoods in coastal communities. Crucially, satellite technology now allows companies to monitor such initiatives with precision, ensuring accountability and demonstrating impact to stakeholders.

Far from being mere add-ons, these solutions allow businesses to respond to climate and biodiversity pressures while creating tangible value. Giulia stressed that NBS aren’t just about doing good - they’re a smart investment in long-term resilience.

Biodiversity reporting

The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, which will soon mandate biodiversity disclosure, is largely driving the integration of biodiversity metrics into corporate sustainability reporting. Alessandro Leonardi outlined how, in Italy, only 25% of surveyed companies currently measure their impacts and dependencies on biodiversity  but 32% of companies  plan to do so within five years.

He also encourages firms to get ahead of the curve. Adopting biodiversity assessments now will not only future-proof compliance but also sharpen corporate reputation in a marketplace where ecological accountability is increasingly valued.

Rewilding

Valeria Barbi,  shared key insights from COP16, including the introduction of the new "Cali Fund" and a significant development for the oceans: the adoption of a new mechanism to identify ecologically and biologically significant marine areas. The main emphasis was placed on the crucial transition from negotiation to implementation, highlighting the need for businesses and governments to present and execute concrete plans.

One transformative approach is rewilding—restoring ecosystems by reintroducing native species and natural processes. This enhances biodiversity, boosts carbon capture, and creates economic opportunities like eco-tourism and sustainable land management.

Breaking the inertia

The panellists were clear: the tools to address the twin crises of climate and biodiversity are already available. The bottleneck lies in execution. As Armaroli put it, “The solutions exist; the challenge is in the decision-making.”

For businesses, practical steps include integrating sustainability across all functions - not just in dedicated teams - while investing in training to ensure employees understand and embrace these priorities. Collaboration, both within industries and across sectors, is equally vital to scaling solutions.

From dialogue to results

This webinar highlighted one overriding message: action must replace rhetoric. The business community is well-placed to lead on sustainability, but only if it commits to rethinking strategies, adopting proven solutions, and investing in future-focused initiatives.

Biodiversity and decarbonisation are no longer optional considerations - they are the foundation of long-term success. Whether through nature-based solutions, rewilding, or embedding biodiversity into governance, businesses have a critical opportunity to drive meaningful change. What remains is for them to seize it.

For more information, visit https://greenfutureproject.com/

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