Founded in 2022 by the management of SIDAS, the Sidas World Foundation reflects the company’s commitment to tackling the consequences of climate change through regenerative projects.
Preservation and resilience of ecosystems and their biodiversity
The Foundation supports projects that aim to protect, restore, and strengthen the resilience of ecosystems and their biodiversity, which are increasingly threatened by climate change. The goal is to maintain and enhance their adaptive capacity in order to preserve their essential functions in climate regulation, carbon storage, and the provision of vital ecosystem services.
We prioritize initiatives that:
Restore degraded forests and support their adaptation (diversification of tree species, natural regeneration, continuous-cover mixed forestry, etc.). Healthy forests absorb about 9% of CO₂ and store it in wood and soils. However, pressures from intensive management, climate change, and disease are weakening this carbon sink—some forests even becoming net emitters locally.
Preserve and regenerate wetlands and peatlands, which alone store nearly 35% of the Earth’s soil carbon, accumulated over millennia. These ecosystems provide invaluable services: they host rich biodiversity, contribute to groundwater recharge, and reduce flood risks.
Protect endangered biodiversity and improve ecological connectivity, in particular by promoting corridors between terrestrial and aquatic environments. Ecological corridors help (re)establish coherent networks that enable animal and plant species to move, feed, reproduce, and rest. The aim is to curb biodiversity loss by supporting the preservation, management, and restoration of habitats essential to ecological continuity—while also considering human activities, including agriculture in rural areas.
Preserve and regenerate soils, a central issue for carbon sequestration and the fight against erosion.
Supporting territories in adapting to climate change
The Foundation is committed to preventing and supporting the adaptation of territories facing the effects of climate change. This focus aims to back educational and scientific initiatives that are strategic to the preservation of mountain environments—areas particularly vulnerable to climate impacts.
We specifically support:
Educational and awareness-raising initiatives aimed at the general public.
Projects promoting sustainable management of natural environments, ensuring their balance and resilience in the face of climatic and human pressures.
Applied scientific research projects designed to understand the challenges and vulnerabilities of ecosystems, identify actionable levers, and advise or develop concrete solutions.
Led by the CSR department of Sidas, the Foundation operates collaboratively through the involvement of volunteer employees from various departments within the company. Depending on their expertise or interests, volunteers are organized into two groups: the Projects Team and the Communications Team.
This structure is designed to be open and inclusive: everyone can choose to actively participate in the projects or simply join the Foundation in an informational capacity, to better understand current environmental challenges and follow ongoing actions. This initiative strengthens the link between individual commitment, collective action, and local responsibility, while fostering a sense of pride and belonging among employees.
The Executive Committee (COMEX) meets quarterly to make decisions, approve budgets, and select and monitor projects.
The COMEX is composed of members of Sidas’ management team, the CSR department, a representative from the Fondation de France, and external experts.
We chose the status of a sheltered foundation in order to:
- Guarantee the independence of the Sidas World Foundation from the company Sidas
- Ensure compliance with the law regarding sponsorship
- Facilitate the management of the fund
- Provide the possibility to collect donations and guarantee their proper use