The 6 Environmental Impact Areas in the Regg3 Model
GHG (Green House Gas) emissions: measures the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere due to human activities, such as fossil fuel use and methane emissions from livestock. Excess levels of these gases worsen climate change, accelerate biodiversity loss, and harm ecosystems, with significant repercussions for human communities as well. Reducing emissions and enhancing the ability to absorb greenhouse gases is crucial to maintain the environmental balance that guarantees our future.
Ecological footprint: measures how much productive land is required to support our resource consumption and absorb CO₂ emissions. This indicator includes six main components: cropland, forest land, fishing grounds, grazing land, and built up land reflecting the impact of human activities on the planet. It’s useful to compare our resource consumption with Earth’s capacity to regenerate them. Each resource extracted uses up part of the Earth, while regenerative activities restore these resources.
Material footprint: measures the materials extracted (metallic and non-metallic minerals, fossil fuels, biomass) to produce goods and services, regardless of where they are sourced. It’s an indicator of how linear or circular our production processes are. The more materials we extract, use, and discard, the more we “consume” the planet. In contrast, practices like circularity, using sustainable materials, and recycling help reduce environmental impact and conserve resources.
Phosphorus: measures the amount of phosphates used, for example, in agriculture. Phosphorus is a key element in fertilizers and detergents, but when in excess, it can reach water bodies, causing algae blooms that damage aquatic ecosystems. Reducing phosphate use and adopting natural alternatives or regenerative practices helps maintain ecosystem balance and prevent negative impacts.
Nitrogen: measures the use of nitrogen compounds, especially relevant in agriculture and industry. Excess nitrogen can cause eutrophication in water bodies, leading to excessive algae growth, or it can disperse into the atmosphere as a potent greenhouse gas. Reducing nitrogen use and adopting eco-friendly solutions or regenerative practices helps restore natural ecosystem balances.
Biodiversity: measures the health and diversity of natural habitats, both terrestrial and marine, by evaluating species richness and the quality of protected areas. Through data on forests, land use, and natural reserves, it identifies key areas where protecting at-risk species is essential. Conserving these not only helps nature to maintain balance but also strengthens ecosystems’ resilience to disruptions and their ability to continue providing benefits, such as clean air, healthy natural cycles and resources for communities.