Each piece of an ecosystem depends on the others, as if it were a puzzle. According to the latest World Evaluation Report on Biological Diversity And the services of ecosystems, published by UNESCO, human activities are responsible for 75% of the loss of biodiversity in the case of terrestrial ecosystems.
According to the study data, the main world drivers of biodiversity loss are climate change, invasive species, overexploitation of natural resources, pollution and urbanization.
Deforestation remains one of the main causes of loss of biodiversity. In 2024, there was a significant loss of tropical forests, particularly in regions such as Amazon and Southeast Asia. The expansion of agriculture, illegal logging and forest fires are key factors that contribute to this decrease.
The number of endangered species has increased in the last year. According to the IUCN red list, more than 32,000 species are currently in critical danger, which represents a 12% increase compared to the previous year. Among the most affected species are mammals, birds and amphibians.
Climate change continues to have a negative impact on biodiversity. The increase in global temperatures and extreme climatic events are altering natural habitats, affecting migration and reproduction patterns of many species. Arctic areas and coastal regions are especially vulnerable to these changes.
Nature dependence
Despite technological advances, we continue to depend on nature for essential things such as water, food, medicines, clothing and energy. According to the data, of the intergovernmental platform, the fish provide 20% of animal proteins to about 3 billion people. More than 80% of the human diet is based on plants and, approximately, 80% of people living in rural areas of developing countries depend on traditional medicines obtained from the vegetation of their surroundings.
The health of our planet plays an important role in the appearance of communicable diseases between animals and humans. As we continue invading fragile ecosystems, we get more in touch with wildlife, which allows pathogens to extend to cattle and humans.
In short, the loss of biodiversity remains a critical threat that requires international collaboration, adequate financing and commitment of all sectors of society.
Biodiversity commitment
In this fight against climate change and the maintenance of biodiversity, the energy sector plays a fundamental role in the transition process towards more sustainable energy systems.
The different administrations at European and national level have been actively working in recent years in the development of a new regulation in areas such as climate change, circular economy, water, pollution or biodiversity reduction.
Also, European energy companies are evolving towards increasingly sustainable business models. According to the latest European Report of Intrum payments, 67% of Spanish companies are intensifying their sustainability efforts, which represents an increase with respect to 60% in 2022 and 64% in 2023.
This growth reflects greater business awareness about the importance of integrating sustainable criteria to improve its development and comply with international regulations. Spain occupies fifth in Europe regarding the adoption of sustainable practices, behind Switzerland (75%), Poland (69%), Norway (68%) and Netherlands (68%), and with figures similar to Serbia and Italy. In contrast, Sweden (56%) and Greece (52%) present the lowest percentages.
67% of the companies analyzed claim to have this type of initiatives. The actions carried out in biodiversity that seek the recovery and protection of natural spaces and threatened species are the most frequent.
Naturgy and Biodiversity
In Spain, different companies have stood out for their commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Naturgy is among them. The energy company has developed a sustainability plan aligned with its strategy, with concrete objectives in environmental, social and governance.
Some of its main initiatives include the reduction of CO₂ emissions and the increase in renewable generation, strategies to improve efficiency in resources and reduce waste and the development of project conservation projects and biodiversity protection.
In the specific case of biodiversity protection, Naturgy develops various initiatives to minimize the environmental impact of its operations. For example, it incorporates measures to progressively reduce negative environmental impacts, avoiding operating near areas of high ecological value; At the end of the useful life of its facilities, it restores the locations to improve natural capital and biodiversity; Use artificial intelligence to detect fire in real time, sending alerts to emergency services; Implement measures to protect the nesting of birds and through the Naturgy Foundation, it organizes awareness and conservation days of biodiversity
Volunteer biodiversity guardians
Many of the Naturgy energy volunteers participate in various initiatives to protect biodiversity and conserve natural capital. They have worked on the recovery of natural spaces such as La Laguna Fuente del Rey in Andalusia and the Albufera Natural Park in Valencia; They have carried out plantations of native species in several regions, including Sevilla and Madrid; They have removed waste on beaches, reservoirs and natural parks, such as the Southeast Regional Park in Madrid and the Marjal de Rafalell I Vistabella in Valencia; They have also been involved in construction and maintenance projects of nest boxes, insect hotels and other structures to favor biodiversity and organize educational days and workshops in natural spaces. Since 2014, they have made more than 59 days in 42 natural spaces, with the participation of 1,863 volunteers and 8,802 hours invested.