From left to right: Sebastián González-Artigas, Director of Commercial Strategy of the Carbon Program and platform NFTree; Roque Sevilla, Founder and Chairman of the board of the Group's Future, and Carolina Proaño Castro, Executive Director of the Future Foundation.
Quito, 16 October 2024.- Grupo Futuro, together with Fundación Futuro, developed the NFTree event: "How to Integrate Conservation into Business Models," a space for dialogue that brought together business leaders and decision-makers to explore how different business models can finance conservation through innovative tools that allow companies to mitigate their carbon footprint.
NFTree is a high-integrity solution that mitigates the footprint through the conservation of ecosystems that capture carbon equivalent to what needs to be mitigated, using blockchain technology to ensure transparency, traceability, and authenticity of every climate contribution. Over 80% of the funds raised go toward the conservation of ecosystems with high ecological value, biodiversity protection, and territorial development of host communities, strengthening their livelihoods and territorial governance.
During the event, the crucial role of the private and business sectors was highlighted, recognizing the need to redistribute resources toward society and the environment. Carolina Proaño Castro, Executive Director of Fundación Futuro, emphasized the importance of building a narrative of opportunities rather than catastrophes, highlighting the transformative power of the current situation: “This mechanism allows companies to multiply their impact by mitigating their carbon footprint, protecting biodiversity, and maximizing returns to forest owners”.
To date, the NFTree pilot plan within Grupo Futuro companies has financed the conservation of 8,840 hectares of historical forest, removing 95,540 tons of carbon and protecting over 1,350 species. Additionally, $803,220 has been allocated to conservation, directly benefiting 14 communities.
The panel included the participation of Eduardo Izurieta, CEO of SaludSA, and María Cecilia Alzamora, Vice President of Branding and Innovation at Metropolitan Touring. These companies highlighted the key role of CEOs in leading these changes through personal conviction and the importance of a healthy planet as the foundation for a world where people are healthier too. Success stories were presented, such as the integration of NFTree tokens into the Vitality wellness platform, where exercise helps finance ecosystem conservation.
Metropolitan Touring, on the other hand, was founded with a culture of sustainability due to its business model, with a strong commitment to protecting ecosystems of high ecological value, such as the Galapagos Islands and the Chocó Andino, as well as preserving heritage areas, like Quito's historic center.
Roque Sevilla, Founder and Chairman of Grupo Futuro, highlighted four key points for contributing to the planet and integrating sustainability into different business models: “First, a deep love for the place where we are born as the starting point for any action. Second, he emphasized that the values and ethics with which business is conducted are fundamental. Third, he mentioned the comparative advantages of living in Ecuador and how we can use them for the benefit of the 7 stakeholder groups, including the environment. Finally, he called for boldness and courage to be true agents of change in society”.
Grupo Futuro, together with Fundación Futuro, reaffirms its commitment to conserving ecosystems of high ecological value and promoting sustainable community development, demonstrating that the integration of these practices into the business sector is not only possible but also essential for generating added value, along with a positive and lasting impact on our environment.
