ESG Report2025 v2 - Flipbook - Page 39
Biodiversity is essential for maintaining
ecological balance, supporting agriculture,
and ensuring the health of our air, water,
and soil. With the world facing a climate
emergency, and with ecosystems being
among the most impacted, SMI is doing
our part to combat this by reviewing our
business practices and analysing the
impact our activities will have on the wider
environment, taking careful consideration
for all living organisms. The introduction
of our Biodiversity Policy supports our Life
Below Earth project, tackling the challenges
posed by our changing environment, with
sustainability at the heart of our approach.
SMI: ESG REPORT 2025
INVESTING IN PEOPLE,
PLANET, & PROGRESS
Climate regulation: Forests help moderate
local temperatures by providing shade and
releasing moisture into the atmosphere
through transpiration, contributing to local
climate stabilisation.
Green job opportunities: Creating
employment opportunities, especially
in rural areas, through activities such as
tree planting, nursery management, and
forest maintenance. These jobs can o昀昀er a
sustainable source of income and help lift
communities out of poverty.
Over the past two years, SMI has made
a signi昀椀cant contribution to global
reforestation e昀昀orts, planting over 23,000
trees worldwide, working towards our pledge
to plant 50,000 trees by 2026 by partnering
with Ecologi. This a昀昀orestation project is a
powerful tool for addressing environmental
challenges, improving ecosystems,
supporting communities, and boosting
economies.
Biodiversity conservation: A昀昀orestation can
create new habitats for wildlife, helping to
preserve and increase biodiversity in areas
that may have been previously degraded or
lacking in natural ecosystems.
Soil protection and erosion control: Tree
roots help to stabilize the soil, preventing
erosion, improving soil quality, and reducing
the risk of landslides, particularly in areas
prone to heavy rainfall.
Water regulation: Forests play a crucial
role in the water cycle, in昀氀uencing rainfall
patterns and improving water quality by
昀椀ltering pollutants from runo昀昀. A昀昀orestation
helps to replenish water tables and regulate
water 昀氀ow in nearby rivers and streams.
Ensuring accessible water for communities
and helps improve crop growth by providing a
steady and reliable supply for irrigation.
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