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Appreciate Nature

Ensuring no harm to ecosystems and biodiversity

Environmental protection is at the heart of the EARTH Standard. Unlike many renewable energy incentives that overlook deforestation or habitat disruption, EARTH mandates the Appreciation of Nature. This requirement mandates that projects must not lead to the removal or displacement of any indigenous or protected species or ecosystems.

No destruction of natural habitats
No displacement or removal of animals
No negative impact on biodiversity

Whether they're urban or rural, all projects must respect our planet and all it's inhabitants.

How We Validate the Appreciation of Nature

All projects must provide appropriate evidence to confirm they did no ecological harm. While rooftop solar systems are generally low risk because they're installed on pre-existing structures, ground-mounted systems require a tiered verification process based on potential ecological impact, land use, and deforestation.

We check whether the project site overlaps with a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) — regions recognised globally for their rare species, ecosystems, or high conservation value. We use peer-reviewed conservation databases to detect overlaps with biodiversity hotspots, endemic bird areas, and Alliance for Zero Extinction sites.

If a project is ground-mounted and falls inside a KBA, it is automatically disqualified.

Curious to know the potential ecological impact of your system? Check out Global Forest Watch's Open Source Map Tool to see if your system falls within any biodiversity hotspots.

What We Look For

Each project must pass an evidence-based review

rooftop system

Rooftop Systems

  1. ✅Declaration of no harm
  2. 🏠 System is clearly on a rooftop
  3. 🏷️ Building existed before the system was installed
  4. 🌍 Matching visual and geolocation evidence
  5. 💸 Free verification
rooftop system

Ground-Mounted Systems

  1. ✅Declaration of no harm
  2. 🌲System is located outside any Key Biodiversity Areas
  3. 🦏No indigenous or protected species were removed specifically for installation
  4. 🌍Declared geolocation evidence aligns with satellite-based findings
  5. 💵Verification fees may apply

Our Verification Checklist

Photo confirmation submitted by project owners

Ensures we can confirm rooftop systems and land condition.

Satellite mapping of important biodiversity areas

Helps us reject projects in high-biodiversity zones before damage happens.

Satellite-based deforestation detection

Lets us verify land history and confirm no recent clearing.

Environmental Impact Assessments

If there are red flags, we'll request official environmental assessments.