At Tellus we specialise exclusively in the development of nature-based projects, because we know amplifying the organic functions of natural ecosystems produces the most broadly beneficial, scalable and resilient solutions to the world's multi-faceted environmental problems, and are therefore the most cost-effective over the long-term time horizons with which we operate.

If environmental crises have taught us anything it’s that people benefitting from natural resources without caring for the natural ecosystems that created them typically makes those people worse off in the long run. If an ecosystem can’t sustain itself, it can’t sustain the people who live off it.

Static, engineered interventions to the ensuing problems can be effective, but they regularly create more problems.

Nature-based solutions that leverage and amplify the natural processes of an environment are typically more cost-effective in the long run because they’re dynamic and adaptive from both an environmental and socio-economic point of view.

Organic ecosystems (such as mangroves, forests, grasslands, coral reefs, wetlands, peatlands, lakes, rivers and oceans) are intrinsically resilient, adapting to external pressures on their own, and reducing the need for maintenance and reinvestment in new solutions.

• Microclimate self-regulation mitigates against the negative impact of climate extremes

• High biodiversity allows ecosystems adapt to new conditions without breaking by shifting species composition

• Erosion control improves long-term stability of the entire ecosystem

Ecosystem services increase economic value for local communities, and this ‘skin in the game’ serves as a potent buffer against social and economic pressures.

• Flourishing ecosystems replenish resource stocks faster

• Microclimate self-regulation improves water security

• Nutrient uptake improves air and water quality

• Balanced ecosystems intrinsically buffer against disease and pest populations

• Vibrant natural environments unlock new revenue streams such as ecotourism

Because of the multiplier effect from addressing multiple challenges at once, and their resilience and adaptability, nature-based solutions are earning endorsements from scientists, conservationists and policymakers alike.

This is why nature-based solutions command a premium on various offset-credit markets, and why 2022 saw their incorporation in key intergovernmental agreements.

There's no need to reinvent the wheel. We just need to focus on restoring and protecting natural ecosystems.