Question 1

What is RESPOND - and how did we start?

Accepted Answer

We founded RESPOND in 2026 to help corporates translate local Water risk into concrete Nature projects. It followed several years as a pilot entity, testing methods, partners and pilots. Together we bring more than a decade of experience in nature finance, climate risk management and local restoration projects.

Question 2

How do we measure impact?

Accepted Answer

We measure project impact across several dimensions (Water, biodiversity, climate), with a particular focus on Volumetric Water Benefits (VWB) - the project's impact measurable in cubic metres: for example Water retention, groundwater recharge or reduction of peak runoff. This methodology was developed by the World Resources Institute and is currently in its second version. Unlike biodiversity or carbon, Water impact can be measured comparatively precisely and assessed on an annual basis. Nature can never be planned to 100%. That is why we work with the best available science, proven pilot projects, dynamic models and a long-term perspective.

Question 3

How do we ensure our projects serve the commons?

Accepted Answer

Public benefit is non-negotiable for us. We only work on lands in public, protected or custodial ownership - together with municipalities, foundations, NGOs and other public entities. No private speculation, no privatisation.

Question 4

How is this different from credits or offsets?

Accepted Answer

Nature is neither accounting nor PR - it is a risk and resilience factor. We do not sell offsets or certificates. Instead we develop local Water resilience projects in the watersheds where corporates actually operate, aligned with CSRD/ESRS E3 and the EU Nature Restoration Law.

Question 5

Who do you work with - and who do you not work with?

Accepted Answer

We work with European corporates whose sites, supply chains or business models depend on healthy watersheds: industry, utilities, food and beverage, real estate, insurers and investors. We decline mandates where Nature-Based Solutions would be used purely as a communications shield.

Questions we get most often about RESPOND

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