Systems, devices and methods for implementing a proof-of-nature consensus distributed ledger system (blockchain), based on verification of the existence of geographical areas containing preserved nature

Abstract

The present invention proposes a proof-of-nature consensus blockchain that requires proof of the existence of preserved natural areas in order to achieve consensus on the network. The disclosed system comprises: a set of geographic and environmental data structures; a network of nodes, in which connections are established; a nature monitoring system integrated with the distributed registration system, which enables the verification of the existence of natural areas in the system; and a proof-of-nature consensus protocol, which requires proof of the existence of preserved natural areas. The proposed system creates an innovative consensus model that transforms nature into the driving force for sustaining and operating the proof-of-nature consensus distributed ledger system disclosed in the present invention.

Description

SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING A DISTRIBUTED REGISTRATION SYSTEM (BLOCKCHAIN) OF PROOF OF NATURE CONSENSUS, BASED ON VERIFYING THE EXISTENCE OF GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS CONTAINING PRESERVED NATURE

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of distributed ledger technologies (DLT), and more specifically to the systems, apparatus and methods necessary for the consensus of a blockchain.

[0002] Blockchains, a species of the Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) genus, are digital records recorded in blocks (files), which are attached to each other by back-referencing in a chronological sequence.

[0003] Fundamentally, a blockchain stores data securely, immutably, decentralized, and transparently. It operates across a network of distributed nodes (computers), eliminating the need for a central authority to validate transactions and maintain the integrity of records. Each computer within a blockchain network, known as a network node, holds a complete copy of the transaction history, ensuring the network's transparency and resilience. Once a transaction is added to the blockchain, it cannot be altered or deleted, increasing the reliability and integrity of stored data. Blockchains use advanced cryptography to protect transactions and ensure the authenticity of records. Furthermore, the network's decentralization hinders cyberattacks, making blockchains highly secure. In general, transactions recorded on a blockchain are visible to all network participants.This promotes transparency and trust among users, as any malicious changes would require majority consensus.

[0004] There are different types of blockchains, each with specific characteristics and functionalities. These include public, private, and consortium blockchains. Public blockchains are decentralized and open to the general public, allowing all network participants to read, submit transactions, and validate blocks. Popular examples include the Bitcoin and Ethereum blockchains.

[0005] Private blockchains, on the other hand, are restricted to a specific group of participants. They are controlled by an entity that decides who can read, send transactions, and validate blocks. They are typically used by companies or organizations that wish to maintain control over the network.

[0006] A consortium blockchain is a combination of public and private blockchains. It is partially decentralized and not open to the general public. It is shared by several organizations, which pool their resources to validate transactions. This type of blockchain is frequently used in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and supply chain.

[0007] To encourage participation in blockchain networks, especially public ones, it's common to reward network nodes that consume or make their resources available to validate transactions and create blockchain blocks. Examples of resources include electricity, high-performance computers, crypto asset inventory, disk storage capacity, and others. The resources made available to a blockchain network are generally associated with its consensus method.

[0008] Another classification of blockchains concerns consensus methods. Consensus methods, or consensus algorithms, are mechanisms used to ensure that participants in a blockchain network agree on the correct version of the transaction / block history. Some of the most common consensus methods include Proof of Work, Proof of Stake, and Proof of Authority.

[0009] The Proof of Work (PoW) method, like that of the Bitcoin blockchain, requires validators (also called miners) to solve complex mathematical problems to validate blocks and receive rewards. This demands immense processing power. This characteristic translates into high electricity consumption, sometimes consuming more than some countries. Therefore, it can be seen that the PoW consensus has become a problem for the environment, since part of the energy used to operate the network still comes from non-renewable sources.

[0010] In the Proof of Stake (PoS) method, block validation is determined based on a node's stake in the network. The greater a node's stake in the network, the greater the likelihood of being chosen to validate blocks. For example, the greater the number of a blockchain's native coins a node holds and keeps in reserve / lock, the greater its chances of being chosen to create a block.

[0011] The Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus method is certainly more sustainable than Proof of Work (PoW) because it doesn't require high processing power to create blocks. Therefore, PoS consensus blockchains consume considerably less electricity than PoW consensus blockchains, making them more sustainable.

[0012] In the Proof of Authority (PoA) consensus method, block validation is based on a fixed set of predefined authorities. These authorities are typically trusted entities or recognized organizations that have permission to validate transactions and add blocks to the blockchain. These authorities are identified and known to other nodes in the network. This method is often used in private networks or consortia, where the identity of validators is known and trusted.

[0013] In addition to the consensus methods already described, there are several others, such as Proof of Burn, Proof of Capacity, Proof of History, Proof of Contribution, Proof of Importance, Proof of Space, Proof of Capacity, and Proof of Time. Each consensus method has its own underlying principles and algorithms, designed to meet different requirements and objectives.

[0014] To achieve the goals of each blockchain project, other components have been developed, such as smart contracts and oracles. In more modern blockchains, smart contracts are a notable feature. They offer a secure and efficient mechanism for executing agreements and programmable logic. One of the interesting use cases for smart contracts is the creation and management of tokens, particularly non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which can represent virtual assets, such as digital art, including visual arts, music, etc., and even real-world assets, such as artwork, real estate, and many others.

[0015] Another component gaining relevance in modern blockchains is oracles. They provide access to data external to the blockchain. Smart contracts commonly rely on oracles to make decisions and execute operations based on real-world data. Other blockchain components can also benefit from the use of oracles. However, integrating real-world information into blockchain operations is challenging due to the reliable and deterministic nature of blockchains and the relative accuracy of the data provided by oracles.

[0016] Blockchains enable a wide range of use cases across different sectors. Some notable examples include cryptocurrencies, payment systems, smart contracts, supply chains, entertainment, and many others. Although blockchain technology contributes to development and innovation in a wide range of activities, there is still a significant lack of solutions specifically focused on the conservation and preservation of nature and the environment, as well as the expansion of these environmental initiatives.

[0017] Many studies demonstrate that preserving nature and the environment is a challenge that must be addressed within this decade, that is, by 2030, to avoid the risk of reaching a tipping point. In fact, the agreement known as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a product of COP 15, held by the UN in Montreal in December 2022, establishes among its goals the protection of 30% of the planet by 2030, reinforcing the need to preserve a significant portion of the planet in its natural state. Therefore, it is imperative to develop solutions that facilitate and encourage the effective protection of nature and the environment in order to maintain and expand preserved areas, so as not to reach a point where it is no longer possible to contain the degradation of our planet.

[0018] Due to the diversity of use cases for blockchain technology and the countless possibilities brought by innovations such as oracles, smart contracts, NFTs, etc., it is clear that the use of a distributed ledger system, such as a blockchain, can be an appropriate solution to help address the challenge of preserving nature and the environment.

[0019] In this sense, this disclosure presents a distributed registry system (Blockchain) and a Proof of Nature consensus protocol whose main objective is to promote balance between human activities and the preservation of planet Earth in its natural state, which translates into a great advantage in relation to other existing methods for solving the environmental problem that we aim to face in this decade.

[0020] The present invention comprises systems, apparatus and methods for implementing a Proof of Nature consensus blockchain, which requires for its operation the existence of geographic areas containing effectively preserved nature, which may include physical, botanical and zoological geography, as essential requirements for the network's consensus.

[0021] The innovative consensus method disclosed, called Proof of Nature consensus, consists of a consensus model that requires, for the validation and consensus of blocks, proof of the existence, current or recent, of geographic areas containing effectively preserved nature.

[0022] The invention therefore allows for the improvement and optimization of aspects of environmental preservation, presenting a solution based on a Proof-of-Nature consensus blockchain that has the capacity to interconnect technology, nature, economy and society, facilitating the promotion of human well-being and nature in an integrated manner.

[0023] The Proof-of-Nature consensus, described here, innovates by using information about nature and the environment as a prerequisite for the functioning of a distributed ledger system (blockchain). In the Proof-of-Nature consensus, the power to process and validate network transactions is determined by the capacity of a validating node (known as a preservation node) to preserve nature and the environment.

[0024] For comparison purposes with other better-known consensus methods, Table I clearly demonstrates the innovation brought in this publication.

[0025] MethodRequirement to validate network transactionsConsensusResources (Investment)Proof of WorkHigh computational processing capacity.Proof of having solved a complex mathematical problem is required.Energy (HIGH)Equipment (HIGH)Proof of StakeHaving a significant amount of cryptocurrency / cryptoasset in reserve / locked in the network.Blocking of assets is required to prove participation in the network.Energy (LOW)Equipment (LOW / MEDIUM)Assets (network's native cryptocurrency) (MEDIUM / HIGH)Proof of NatureExistence of geographic areas containing preserved nature.Proof of the existence of geographic areas containing preserved nature is required.Energy (LOW)Equipment (LOW / MEDIUM)Geographic areas containing nature (MEDIUM / HIGH)

[0026] In short, the Proof of Work consensus involves investing in equipment and infrastructure (computers, cooling, physical infrastructure, energy, etc.). The Proof of Stake consensus primarily involves purchasing cryptocurrencies / cryptoassets native to the respective blockchain network. The Proof of Nature consensus involves investing in the acquisition and maintenance of geographic areas containing preserved nature, as well as areas for restoration.

[0027] Thus, the invention provides for the creation of a distributed registry system entirely based on the preservation of nature, in a way that brings innovations both in the basic components of a blockchain, as well as in its consensus method, conferring an unimaginable role on nature and the environment, transforming them into the driving force of a Proof-of-Nature consensus distributed registry system. Summary of the Invention

[0028] The invention relates to systems, devices, and methods that implement a Proof-of-Nature consensus blockchain, which breaks new ground in the prior art because its consensus process relies exclusively on the existence of geographic areas containing effectively preserved nature. Thus, a Proof-of-Nature consensus distributed ledger system is disclosed, based on the preservation of nature and the environment, comprising: - a set of data structures, each configured to record geographic and environmental data; a distributed database for storing the data recorded in the distributed ledger system; a network of nodes, where connections between nodes are established through a communication protocol; a certification authority; a system for monitoring nature and the environment and integrating it with the distributed ledger system; and a consensus protocol based on a Proof-of-Nature system.

[0029] According to one aspect, each geographic and environmental data structure stores geographic and environmental data, each of which is stored in a distributed database. This structure provides a faithful representation of the state of nature and the environment of each of the geographic locations recorded in these structures. The geographic and environmental data are stored in chronological order, enabling a historical representation of the environmental conditions of the geographic area recorded in the structure.In the distributed registry system, there may be a plurality of geographic and environmental data structures, each one portraying the environmental conditions for the respective geographic locations, so that the set of these data structures has the capacity to faithfully portray, in a distributed registry system, the general state of nature and the environment of planet Earth, and can serve as a parameter for the most diverse applications, including scientific, commercial, industrial and economic ones.

[0030] According to another aspect, the node network is made up of nodes with different characteristics and functions, including standard nodes, which are configured to read, send, and receive transactions and / or useful data that can be recorded on the network, and validation, consensus, and preservation nodes, called preservation nodes, configured to perform the tasks of validating and reaching consensus on transactions occurring on the network, according to the rules and protocols defined by the distributed ledger system. Preservation nodes are each associated with a geographic and environmental data structure, which may be integrated into the structure of the respective preservation nodes themselves, or may be included in the structure of other components of the distributed ledger system, but linked to their respective preservation nodes, such as digital certificates or tokens, for example.

[0031] Another aspect may require proof of ownership and / or possession of the geographic area comprised in the geographic and environmental data structure. This proof is provided by the entities that embody the nodes interested in holding a geographic and environmental data structure. This proof is provided before a certification authority, which decides whether ownership and / or possession of the area has been duly proven. This process may be performed digitally or physically, by individuals or systems, including through a voting process by members of the distributed registry system network or externally. If the decision is positive, the certification authority issues a geographic and environmental data structure in the distributed registry system, linking it to the preservation node that, through the entity that embodies it, has proven ownership and / or possession of the geographic area.

[0032] According to another aspect, the distributed database may comprise a blockchain, which stores a sequence of blocks connected in chronological order, where each block contains, at a minimum, a header, a set of transactions and / or recordable useful data, and a Proof of Nature containing geographic and environmental data. The set of transactions or recordable useful data includes detailed transaction information. The Proof of Nature consists of proving that at the time of the block's creation, or at a recent date, a geographic area containing preserved nature physically existed. This task is performed by the preservation node responsible for creating the block.

[0033] According to another aspect, the nature and environmental monitoring system and integration with the distributed registry system are designed to exchange data between the distributed registry system and external data sources, enabling the distributed registry system to monitor nature and the environment. External data sources may include any device, apparatus, or system designed to provide reliable geographic and / or environmental data, whether current or historical, and that can be integrated into a distributed registry system. The monitoring system may include components known as oracles, configured to connect, via a communication protocol, to one or more external sources providing geographic and environmental information.This may correspond to data packet exchange activities, involving the request and reception of data through a previously established communication protocol.

[0034] According to another aspect, the nature and environmental monitoring system and integration with the distributed registry system may also comprise: a data processing mechanism, responsible for processing data provided by external sources, carrying out the activities of validating, processing and transforming the data into a format suitable for use by the distributed registry system, including the activities of aggregating and consolidating the data; a data storage mechanism, responsible for temporarily storing the processed data, making it available for use by the distributed registry system.

[0035] Another aspect is that the provision of properly processed geographic and environmental data in the temporary storage environment allows the distributed ledger system to perform automated actions based on the collected data. This may include, for example, selecting nodes to participate in the consensus process based on the collected geographic and environmental data, among other actions.

[0036] The invention also reveals a consensus protocol based on a Proof of Nature system, which requires proof that geographic areas containing preserved nature physically exist, and may comprise: a network of preservation nodes, in which each node contains an associated geographic and environmental data structure; a nature and environmental monitoring system and integration with a distributed registry system; a preservation node selection mechanism responsible for selecting which nodes will participate in the consensus process.

[0037] In one aspect, the Proof-of-Nature consensus protocol establishes the rules and organization of the transaction validation and network consensus process, and consequent block production, in the case of a blockchain distributed ledger system.

[0038] According to another aspect, preservation nodes are responsible for the activities of validating transactions and network consensus that occur in the distributed ledger system, and the consequent production of blocks.

[0039] According to another aspect, the nature and environmental monitoring system and integration with the distributed registry system has the function of interacting with external data sources, enabling the incorporation of geographic and environmental data into the distributed registry system, enabling the monitoring of nature and the environment directly through the distributed registry system.

[0040] According to another aspect, the geographic and environmental data structures associated with the preservation nodes are used to store the geographic and environmental data provided by the nature and environmental monitoring system.

[0041] According to another aspect, the physical existence of geographic areas containing preserved nature is an essential requirement for the Proof-of-Nature consensus protocol, without which the system collapses. Verification of this requirement, in the distributed ledger system, is made possible by the nature and environmental monitoring system and its integration with the distributed ledger system. In turn, proof of the physical existence of geographic areas containing preserved nature, in the distributed ledger system, is accomplished using the geographic and environmental data structure associated with the preservation nodes.

[0042] Another aspect is the preservation node selection mechanism, which is responsible for selecting the preservation nodes that will participate in the consensus process. This may include reading and analyzing the data recorded in the geographic and environmental data structure associated with the preservation nodes. One or more criteria are used as parameters for selecting the preservation node or nodes that will participate in the consensus process, including: the need to update the geographic and environmental data in the geographic and environmental data structure associated with the preservation nodes; the total size of the preserved areas; the percentage of the preserved area to the total registered area; the environmental importance of the area's geographic location; the location's biome; the location's pollution; the location's biodiversity; the reputation of the preservation node; and other environmental, geographic, or other information related to the preservation node.

[0043] According to another aspect, the preservation node selection mechanism performs the task of pre-selecting the preservation nodes for the consensus process, according to the data contained in their associated geographic and environmental data structures, using any of the selection criteria mentioned above.

[0044] According to another aspect, the preservation node selection mechanism requires the nature and environmental monitoring system to query geographic and environmental data related to the geographic and environmental data structures associated with the pre-selected preservation nodes. In turn, the nature and environmental monitoring system interacts with external data sources, involving the tasks of: requesting geographic and environmental data related to the geographic locations contained in the geographic and environmental data structures associated with the pre-selected preservation nodes; receiving, processing, and temporarily storing the requested geographic and environmental data; and making the processed data available for use by the distributed ledger system or its components.

[0045] Another aspect is that the selection mechanism excludes preservation nodes where the existence of a geographic area containing preserved nature has not been proven. The preservation node selection mechanism completes the selection process, leaving only those preservation nodes where the existence of preserved nature areas has been proven, enabling the system to process network transactions.

[0046] Another aspect of the consensus protocol is that it randomly designates a preservation node from among those selected by the selection mechanism to validate transactions executed on the network that have not yet been finalized by the consensus process. Duplicate transactions, balance sufficiency, and other checks can be performed, leaving transactions not yet finalized by the consensus process available in a temporary transaction buffer, waiting for the designated preservation node to include them in a block.

[0047] According to another aspect, the preservation node designated by the consensus protocol performs the task of capturing the transactions that are in the temporary transaction memory, and, in parallel, also captures, in the temporary storage environment of the nature and environmental monitoring system, the geographic and environmental data relating to the geographic location referenced in its geographic and environmental data structure.

[0048] According to another aspect, the designated preservation node performs the task of creating a block containing a reference hash for the previous block, a timestamp containing the date and time of the block's creation, a set of transactions captured in the temporary transaction memory, and a proof of nature, which may comprise the geographic and environmental data captured in the temporary storage environment of the nature and environmental monitoring system relating to the geographic location contained in the geographic and environmental data structure of the preservation node that created the block.

[0049] According to another aspect, the finalized block is sent to the other participating nodes in the network, which perform the activity of verifying the validity of the block, which may involve checking whether the transactions are valid, whether the reference to the previous block is correct and whether the proof of nature containing the geographic and environmental data of the preservation node that created it corresponds to reality.

[0050] Another aspect is that if the majority of preservation nodes agree that the block is valid, it will be accepted and permanently added to the blockchain, with this information propagated to other nodes in the network. The remaining nodes update their copies of the blockchain to reflect the addition of the new block and represent the current state of transactions, and especially the state of nature and the environment, which is reflected in a new version of the blockchain.

[0051] According to another aspect, the verification of the validity of the proof of nature by other preservation nodes participating in the network can be done by comparing the proof of nature record contained in the block with the information that is in the temporary storage of the nature and environmental monitoring system, or by requesting the geographic and environmental data to be validated from the nature and environmental monitoring system and comparing the returned data with the proof of nature record contained in the block; other approaches can be followed in order to validate the accuracy of the data that constitutes proof of nature.

[0052] According to another aspect, at the end of the consensus process, the preservation nodes are exchanged, so that the preservation node selection mechanism starts a new selection, giving other preservation nodes the opportunity to participate in the consensus process.

[0053] According to another aspect, during the consensus process, rewards can be granted to preservation nodes to incentivize them to perform the consensus process tasks. These rewards may include receiving native currency units or tokens from the distributed ledger system, as well as transaction fees collected for validating these tokens. In particular, the rewards to preservation nodes have the primary function of incentivizing them to effectively preserve the geographic areas recorded in their geographic and environmental data structures, which is materially achieved through the entities that embody them—that is, individuals, companies, countries, communities, organizations, etc. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0054] To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application and to more clearly demonstrate how they can be implemented, reference will be made to a series of illustrations that complement and clarify the fundamental aspects of the invention. Each drawing is sequentially numbered and is accompanied by concise captions highlighting key elements, thus providing a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of the structure and operation of the invention, enriching the textual description provided throughout the document. Other drawings may be obtained by a person skilled in the art without any inventive effort, so the drawings included herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0055] [Fig. 1] is a diagram illustrating the environment and components for embodiments of the present invention.

[0056] [Fig. 2] illustrates a flowchart of the process of issuing a Certificate of State of Nature & Environment for the embodiments of the present invention.

[0057] [Fig. 3] illustrates a diagrammatic representation of a data structure of a Certificate of the State of Nature and Environment for embodiments of the present invention.

[0058] [Fig. 4] illustrates a conceptual diagram of a Digital Certificate Module for embodiments of the present invention.

[0059] [Fig. 5] illustrates a conceptual diagram of an Oracle Module for embodiments of the present invention.

[0060] [Fig. 6] illustrates a flowchart of the process performed by the Oracle Module for embodiments of the present invention.

[0061] [Fig. 7] illustrates a flowchart of the transaction process and the Proof-of-Nature consensus process for embodiments of the present invention.

[0062] [Fig. 8] illustrates a diagram of a block structure of a Proof-of-Nature blockchain. Detailed Description

[0063] To enable a specialist, or those skilled in the art, to better understand the techniques in this disclosure, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described clearly and completely with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments of this application are exemplary, and not all possible embodiments have been covered. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments that can be obtained by a specialist, or those with general knowledge of the art, without creative effort, should be covered by the scope of this disclosure.

[0064] A diagram illustrating the implementation environment for the present invention is shown. The figure shows a modular blockchain 100, a schematic representing Nature & Environment 110, and external data sources 120.

[0065] Blockchain 100 is a network in which connections between nodes are established through a communication protocol, which allows the exchange of data packets between the nodes participating in the network. Furthermore, the relationship between the modules in Blockchain 100 is also observed. It is noteworthy that the option to represent Blockchain 100 in a modular structure allows for a better understanding of the invention, and other structures should also be considered as described in this disclosure.

[0066] Blockchain 100 includes the following key components: Block Chain 100.2, Transaction Module 100.4, Transaction Mempool 100.5, Consensus Module 100.6, Certificate Authority 100.8, Digital Certificate Module 100.10, and Oracle Module 100.12. In addition to these components, others may also be part of Blockchain 100.

[0067] The 100.2 Block Chain component stores the data of Blockchain 100. It consists of a sequence of connected blocks, where each block contains, primarily, a set of transactions, a reference hash for the previous block, a timestamp of its creation, and a proof of nature, which may contain a set of data on the state of nature and the environment. In addition to this information, other information can also be recorded. The complete structure of a block will be demonstrated later.

[0068] Network transactions are executed in Transaction Module 100.4. This module is responsible for organizing transactions on the Blockchain 100 network and contains transaction-related rules. Nodes participating in this module are permitted to read the blockchain and send and receive transactions on the network. Nodes in this module are not permitted to validate transactions or establish network consensus.

[0069] The temporary transaction storage component, Transaction Mempool 100.5, temporarily stores transactions executed on the network but not yet included in a block of the Blockchain 100.2. It is comprised between the Transaction Module 100.4 and the Consensus Module 100.6.

[0070] Consensus Module 100.6 contains the network's consensus rules. This includes the rules for validating and reaching consensus on transactions occurring on the network and creating new blocks with transactions that follow the rules and protocols defined by Blockchain 100. One of the rules of Consensus Module 100.6 concerns the requirements necessary for consensus participation and block creation. A major innovation of this disclosure concerns the proof-of-consensus requirement. In the present invention, the essential requirement for network consensus is proof, within the blockchain, that geographic areas containing effectively preserved nature exist. This rule requires nodes participating in the consensus process to prove that they own areas of nature and that these are effectively preserved.

[0071] The nodes that make up the Consensus Module 100.6, performing transaction validation and network consensus tasks, are called preservation nodes and are characterized by holding a State of Nature & Environment Certificate 100.10.1. These certificates are capable of representing, within the Blockchain 100, the current and historical state of Nature & Environment 110 of a Specific Geographic Location 110.1. To accomplish this task, the certificate stores, chronologically, the current and historical data on the state of Nature & Environment 110 of a given Specific Geographic Location 110.1.

[0072] However, for a preservation node to participate in the network's consensus process, it is not enough to simply hold a 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment. It is also necessary to demonstrate, through current or recent environmental data, that the geographic area represented in the 100.10.1 Certificate is properly preserved. This is enabled by the interaction of Blockchain 100 (with the help of the Oracle Module 100.12) with External Data Sources 120, which are capable of monitoring and providing nature and environmental data.

[0073] The need for the physical existence of geographic areas containing preserved nature within the Specific Geographic Locations 110.1, which are recorded in the 100.10.1 Certificates of the State of Nature & Environment, drives the preservation nodes holding these certificates to maintain their respective areas properly preserved. Otherwise, they will not be able to participate in the consensus process, which directly impacts the receipt of rewards for executing the activity of creating blocks for the blockchain. Obviously, the activity of maintaining the preserved areas is carried out by the entities that embody the preservation nodes, that is, individuals, companies, countries, etc. This means that in order to perform internal system functions, such as consensus, the preservation nodes must perform functions external to the Blockchain 100, undertaking efforts to preserve Nature & Environment 110.

[0074] The external nature preservation functions performed by preservation nodes are especially important for the Blockchain 100 network, as network consensus is entirely dependent on the existence of geographic areas containing preserved nature. Proof of the existence of these areas is provided by preservation nodes and is related to the Specific Geographic Location 110.1 represented in the respective 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment. In other words, without effectively preserved areas of nature, there is no validation or consensus within the network.

[0075] In this sense, the Certificate Module 100.10 has unique importance in the Blockchain 100, as it is responsible for containing the rules for issuing certificates whose function is to represent the state of Nature and Environment 110 of a Specific Geographic Location 110.1.

[0076] 100.10.1 Certificates are issued by a 100.8 Certification Authority. A Certification Authority is a trusted entity that issues and verifies digital certificates for users and nodes on the network. A Certification Authority may consist of a special network node or nodes, a DAO, or other entities.

[0077] In some embodiments, a 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment is issued on Blockchain 100 after an interested party proves that there are geographic areas containing preserved nature under their ownership and / or possession and / or domain. In other words, the interested party seeking a 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment must prove that there are Nature 110 sites (such as forests, mangroves, tundras, prairies, but not limited to these) under their domain / ownership / possession. This can be done through official documents proving ownership and / or possession of the area, for example. Such document(s) must contain complete information regarding the owner and the geographic area, including their georeference.

[0078] The information recorded in 100.10.1 Certificates of the State of Nature & Environment includes the data provided in the documents submitted for issuance of the certificate, such as the holder's data and the geographic area with its respective georeference. Furthermore, it also includes environmental data, such as information on the area's preservation status. Recording this environmental information in 100.10.1 Certificates is enabled through the 100.12 Oracle Module.

[0079] The Oracle Module 100.12 is responsible for managing the registration and selection of trusted oracles, ensuring the quality of the data provided by the External Data Sources 120. One of the tasks of the oracles included in this module is to provide Blockchain 100 with geographic and environmental information from various data sources. This allows information from the physical world, especially related to nature and the environment, to be incorporated into Blockchain 100. This module is essential to the network, as it can bring real and current data from Nature and the Environment 110 into Blockchain 100. The main function of this data is to prove the effective preservation of the geographic areas registered in Certificates 100.10.1, so that they can be used at the appropriate time as proof of nature required by the network.

[0080] The External Data Sources element 120 acts as an intermediary between the Blockchain 100 and Nature and Environment 110, connecting them. It comprises trusted data sources, especially those specializing in data related to nature and the environment. This may include APIs (Application Programming Interface), data feeds, physical sensors, satellites, drones, or any other device or system intended to provide reliable current or historical data related to nature and the environment.

[0081] Another prominent element that makes up the environment is the Nature & Environment 110 representative scheme. This includes, for example, natural spaces on planet Earth, such as forests, mangroves, tundras, and prairies, but is not limited to these. Within this element is the Specific Geographic Location 110.1 element, which refers to the unique geographic locations of each geographic area encompassed by the Nature & Environment 110 element.

[0082] The relationship between the elements of Blockchain 100, the External Data Sources 120, and Nature and Environment 110 stands out. It is possible to clearly visualize in the environment the interaction of the Oracle Module 100.12 with the External Data Sources 120, in order to consume the most recent information related to Nature and Environment 110. Such information is then made available to Blockchain 100 through the Oracle Module 100.12 and, at the time determined by the network algorithm, the geographic and environmental data related to each Specific Geographic Location 110.1 recorded in the Certificates 100.10.1, are updated and definitively stored in the Blockchain 100.2 by the Consensus Module 100.6. This interaction demonstrates that the Blockchain 100, presented in this disclosure, innovates in going beyond being just a distributed ledger of transactions. It is, essentially, a chronological and reliable record of the state of Nature and the Environment 110.Mainly including information on the preservation of areas, and may also include other relevant environmental data, without which the functioning of the network is compromised.

[0083] Thus, the set of elements presented in guarantees effective operation for the embodiments of the present invention. The environment is not limited to just the elements shown, and may also be composed of others not present in the figure.

[0084] It illustrates, exemplarily, a flowchart of the process for issuing a 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment.

[0085] In some cases, Applicant 200A sends Request 201 to Certification Authority 100.8, requesting the issuance of a 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment on Blockchain 100. Official documents proving ownership of the area to be certified are also submitted with the request. This process can be carried out either through a blockchain network or through other communication methods, such as email, messaging applications, forms, and web pages, among others.

[0086] Next, the Certification Authority 100.8 Receives the Request 202 and Analyzes the Documents 203, and this task can be done digitally or physically, by people or systems, including through a voting process on the blockchain network itself or externally.

[0087] After analyzing the submitted documents, a decision is made regarding the Request's status (204), which can be approved (yes) or rejected (no). Applicant 200A, the validation node candidate, receives a request rejection (205b) if the submitted documents are insufficient for the area verification process. On the other hand, if the request is approved, Certification Authority 100.8 issues Certificate 100.10.1 (205a) to Applicant 200A on Blockchain 100.

[0088] Next, Requester 200A receives Certificate 100.10.1, which is then associated with its blockchain address. From then on, Requester 200A will be registered as the holder of a Certificate 100.10.1 and may act as a preservation node.

[0089] The method demonstrated is not exhaustive, and there may be variations that must also be considered as written in the present invention.

[0090] A diagrammatic representation of the data structure of a 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment is presented below. This representation is not the only possible illustration of a 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment data structure, but rather one of several possible representations.

[0091] The 301 header contains identifying information and relevant metadata, including the certificate identifier, version, name, description, date of issue, and other data that can be associated with the certificate.

[0092] The Location 302 element contains the 110.1 Specific Geographic Location information for the geographic area represented in the certificate. A data structure known as GeoJSON can be used to store the geographic information for the area. This format is based on JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) syntax and is widely used for storing and exchanging geospatial data. This element therefore represents a 110.1 Specific Geographic Location in a structured manner, enabling an accurate description of the area.

[0093] Thus, longitude and latitude coordinates are entered in GeoJSON format into the Location 302 element, defining its geometry as a singular polygon on the map, representing a unique geographic location in a geographic coordinate system. Additional properties can be included to provide additional information, such as the location name and a detailed description, and even other relevant attributes.

[0094] The Environmental History element 303 stores, in chronological sequence, geographic and environmental data related to Specific Geographic Location 110.1 recorded in the Location element 302. It is composed of State of Nature and Environment subelements 303.1, which store information on the update date and time, measurement date and time, geographic coordinates, climate data, environmental data, visual representation information of the area, among other environmental data and metadata. Element 303, therefore, creates a historical record of the state of nature and environment of Specific Geographic Location 110.1 for each of the State of Nature and Environment Certificates 100.10.1 issued on Blockchain 100.

[0095] In some embodiments, the information recorded in subelements 303.1 may comprise the representation of a polygon or multi-polygons in GeoJSON, which translate into an area or a plurality of geographic areas circumscribed in the Specific Geographic Location 110.1 recorded in the Location element 302, with the respective environmental data, update and measurement timestamp, among other data. That is, information such as individualized georeferencing of preserved areas, preservation quality, climate indicators, pollution indices, references to aerial and spatial imagery, among other information intended to faithfully and chronologically represent the natural and environmental conditions of each Specific Geographic Location 110.1, may be included in subelements 303.1. This information may be stored on-chain or off-chain.In other words, they can be registered on the blockchain itself or only references to the locations where the data is actually stored can be registered on the blockchain.

[0096] The Owner 304 element contains information that identifies the owner of a 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment. In some examples, it contains the blockchain address of the certificate's holder node, as well as information useful for identifying the holder. This element allows other network members to identify the holder of a 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment, and consequently, the person responsible for the site represented therein.

[0097] The Image or File 305 element provides a visual representation of the certificate or a link to display it. It can be useful for providing a visual identity for a 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment, such as the use of images, drawings, or logos of the certificate owners.

[0098] In some embodiments, the Certificate 100.10.1 may comprise some rules, which are implemented by the Features element 306.

[0099] To ensure that only the owner has access to certain features, such as updating the properties of the State of Nature & Environment Certificate 100.10.1, certain rules are implemented to verify certificate ownership. The Ownership Logic element 306.1 fulfills this function.

[0100] Element 306.2 guarantees access to the functionality of recording new information in the Environmental History Element 303 only when certain predefined events occur. In some examples, this may occur when a block creation event occurs during the consensus process, at which point the preservation node responsible for producing the block is allowed to record new environmental data in element 303 related to the Specific Geographic Location contained in its 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment.

[0101] There may be other rules and features for Certificate 100.10.1, represented by the Other Features 306.3 element, such as the use of licensing, royalties, etc.

[0102] The 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment, despite containing information about a specific geographic location within the 100 Blockchain, is not intended to be a type of real estate property token or anything similar, as some blockchain-based projects already do. The 100.10.1 Certificate has the innovative function of serving as a tool for monitoring changes occurring in the natural physical world—that is, changes affecting nature and the environment. Therefore, the 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment is a chronological and immutable representation of the state of nature and the environment, which especially allows it to be used in a wide range of areas, including scientific research and studies, commercial and industrial purposes, and other areas related to nature and the environment.

[0103] This is a conceptual diagram of a Digital Certificate Module 100.10 for embodiments of the present invention, it being understood that this component can be represented in other ways.

[0104] The Certificate Module 100.10, illustrated in, has the function of creating and managing the State of Nature & Environment Certificates 100.10.1, defining how it will interact with the Blockchain network 100.

[0105] The Certificate Module 100.10 is organized into 400 Methods and Functionalities comprising creation, update, consultation, validation, revocation functions, among others.

[0106] The Create Certificate 400.1 element has the function of creating a 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment in Blockchain 100. As parameters, it receives information regarding the elements described in, such as the information contained in Header 301, Location 302, Owner 304 and Image 305. Upon creation, a unique identifier is generated and the information is stored in the data structure of a 100.10.1 Certificate of the State of Nature & Environment.

[0107] The Update Properties 400.2 element contains the rules for updating some of the certificate's properties, such as the name, description of element 301, and image of element 305, both from [[ ...If this condition is met, the Update Properties element function 400.3 is called and the updates are performed.

[0108] The next element, Update Environmental History 400.3, also updates information in Certificate 100.10.1 of the State of Nature & Environment. However, it is specifically designed to update information in the Environmental History 303 element. Element 400.3 ensures that Certificate 100.10.1 of the State of Nature & Environment is always up-to-date and thus accurately and chronologically represents the state of nature and the environment of Specific Geographic Location 110.1 contained in the Location 302 element. What differentiates this element from that described in element 306.2 is that element 400.3 contains the generic rules for updating the Environmental History of a Certificate 100.10.1; that is, it contains the functions that will be used to update the environmental information in the certificate. Element 306.2, in turn, contains the rules for verifying the conditions for the update.For example, in some embodiments, each time a preservation node participates in the consensus process, the condition set forth in the rule of the History Logic element 306.2 is met and then a function of the Update History element 400.3 is called to update the State of Nature & Environment Certificate 100.10.1 allowing the addition of the most recent environmental and geographic data related to the Specific Geographic Location 110.1 of the preservation node designated for consensus.

[0109] The Query Information 400.4 element has the function of querying the information of a given Certificate 100.10.1, allowing blockchain member nodes to access the public data of a certificate, such as name, description, image, geographic coordinates, environmental history, among other non-reserved information.

[0110] In turn, the Validate Owner 400.5 element serves to validate whether a given blockchain address belongs to the owner of a given State of Nature & Environment Certificate 100.10.1. It can be used as a security mechanism to restrict certain actions to the owner only.

[0111] The Revoke Certificate 400.6 element revokes a 100.10.1 State of Nature & Environment Certificate issued on Blockchain 100. This functionality is useful for revoking a 100.10.1 State of Nature & Environment Certificate from a given conservation node that no longer correctly represents the owner of a Specific Geographic Location 110.1. In some cases, the owner of a Specific Geographic Location 110.1 may no longer be the owner of the area registered in their certificate, such as through the sale of the area. Therefore, it is necessary to revoke the certificate granted to the previous owner because it reflects an outdated situation. After the process described in [the statement], a new 100.10.1 State of Nature & Environment Certificate is issued to the current owner to accurately reflect the current situation. This does not mean that the data contained in the revoked certificate is deleted from the blockchain.The revoked certificate may still fulfill the role of portraying the state of nature and the environment during the period in which it was active, and may serve as a source of historical environmental data for the geographic location it represented.

[0112] Module 100.10 may implement other functionality, represented by the Other Functionality 400.7 element. In some examples, methods for performing specific interactions based on the properties of a State of Nature & Environment Certificate 100.10.1 may be implemented, such as redeeming rewards or participating in events related to the State of Nature & Environment Certificate 100.10.1 data.

[0113] It should be noted that the Certificate Module 100.10 and its logic, represented in, can be implemented by methods and functionalities similar to those described. Therefore, the description of the Certificate Module 100.10 is not exhaustive and there may be variations that should also be considered as written in the present invention.

[0114] In some embodiments, Nature and Environment data 110 is integrated into Blockchain 100, making it available to the blockchain's processes and logic. This integration function, essential to the operation of Blockchain 100, is performed by Oracle Module 100.12, which acts as a trusted integrator between External Data Sources 120 and Blockchain 100.

[0115] A conceptual diagram of the Oracle Module 100.12 is illustrated. The Methods and Functionalities 500 element contains functions for collecting, processing, aggregating, and temporarily storing data provided by External Data Sources. It also includes functions for querying this data, rules for events and notifications, update policies, and other functionalities.

[0116] The Data Collector component 500.1 is responsible for collecting information about Nature and the Environment 110 from External Data Sources 120. The data collector is the first step in bringing external information to the Blockchain 100.

[0117] The Data Processor 500.2 element is responsible for, after data collection, validating, processing, and transforming the data into a format suitable for use on the Blockchain 100. In some embodiments, the data validation stage may perform operations such as verifying the accuracy of the information and comparing it with data from other sources. In the processing stage, the data undergoes processes such as data normalization to ensure it is in a standardized format understandable by the blockchain. This may include unit conversion, standardization of timestamps, and other necessary transformations.

[0118] The 500.3 Data Aggregator element is dedicated to verifying the consistency of data provided by different data providers. It aggregates and consolidates this data to obtain an overall view of the data.

[0119] In turn, the Temporary Data Storage component 500.4 has the function of temporarily storing the collected, processed and consolidated data, making it available to the Blockchain 100.

[0120] The Query Information component 500.5 allows the Blockchain 100 and its components to request specific data from the Oracle Module 100.12, such as information about the Nature and Environment 110 of a Specific Geographic Location 110.1 of one or more Certificates 100.10.1 of the State of Nature & Environment.

[0121] The Events and Notifications component 500.6 emits events or notifications to alert Blockchain 100 and its components when new data becomes available or when relevant events occur, such as those related to data processing or aggregation, for example. In some embodiments, this allows Blockchain 100 and its blockchain components to receive notifications and events so they can initiate certain operations.

[0122] The 500.7 Refresh Policies element specifies refresh policies for when and how data will be refreshed. This may involve a regular refresh schedule or on-demand refresh.

[0123] In some embodiments, the Oracle Module 100.12 enables the interaction of the Blockchain 100 with the External Data Sources 120, verifying occurrences affecting nature and the environment, and executing actions based on the verified occurrences. This may involve performing the tasks of requesting, receiving, processing, and making available on the Blockchain 100 the information provided by the External Data Sources 120 regarding the Nature and Environment 110 of the Specific Geographic Locations 110.1 registered in the Certificates 100.10.1.

[0124] It presents a flowchart of the process carried out by the Oracle Module 100.12 that demonstrates in more detail the functions it performs.

[0125] In the illustration, the Oracle Module 100.12 begins the process with Data Collection 601. In some embodiments, the Data Collection process 601 initially involves identifying one or more External Data Sources 620 from which information is needed and establishing a secure connection with the identified data source. A Data Request 601.1 is then sent to the identified source or sources to obtain information related to the nature and environment of one or more Specific Geographic Locations 110.1, recorded in one or more Certificates 100.10.1. Next, Data Reception 601.2 occurs, comprising various geographic and environmental data, such as information on vegetation cover and land use, biodiversity, pollution, and other data useful for faithfully representing the environmental conditions of the requested geographic areas.

[0126] In some embodiments, the Oracles Module 100.12 is configured to connect to various sources of geographic and environmental data, ensuring a wide variety of such information by selecting reliable and reputable sources that provide relevant and up-to-date data relating to nature and the environment.

[0127] In the next step, after data collection, Data Processing and Consolidation 602 is performed. At this stage, the Oracle Module 100.12 can use independent data sources to consolidate the data. If there are discrepancies between the information provided by different sources, a consensus mechanism can be applied to determine the most likely outcome. It is true that different approaches can be followed to validate the accuracy of the collected data and prevent any attempts at manipulation or falsification.

[0128] Then, Temporary Storage of Data 603 is performed, making it available to Blockchain 100.

[0129] In some embodiments, the Oracle Module 100.12 makes the geographic and environmental data stored in the Temporary Data Storage 603 available to the Blockchain 100. The blockchain algorithm can then make automated decisions and execute actions based on the consolidated information without relying solely on information internal to the blockchain. In some examples, at the time determined by the blockchain algorithm, the Nature and Environment data 110 stored in the Temporary Data Storage 603 is permanently recorded on the Blockchain 100. The data recorded on the blockchain creates a unique record containing the consolidated data from the Oracle Module 100.12, as well as its cryptographic signature proving its authenticity. In some examples, the aforementioned unique record updates the Data 604 of a Certificate 100.10.1 of the State of Nature & Environment.In some embodiments, the blockchain algorithm may decide, based on the Nature and Environment 110 data recorded in the Certificates 100.10.1, which preservation nodes will participate in the transaction validation and network consensus process.

[0130] The integration of Nature and Environment 110 into Blockchain 100, enabled by the Oracle Module 100.12 through the intermediation of External Data Sources 120, allows for the creation of an innovative consensus model that helps solve many of the environmental problems we face. In some implementations, real and current data from Nature and Environment 110 integrates the consensus logic of Blockchain 100, making Nature and Environment 110 a fundamental part of the network's sustainability and operation.

[0131] The orchestration of the elements and processes demonstrated so far is illustrated in , which presents a flowchart of the transaction process and the Proof-of-Nature consensus process. Two macroprocesses are presented, the first 7000, referring to the Distributed Ledger System (Blockchain), composed of processes 7002, 7004, 7006, and 7012, related, respectively, to the tasks performed by the components Blockchain 100.2, Transaction Module 100.4, Consensus Module 100.6, and Oracle Module 100.12. And the second macroprocess 7100 refers to the Nature and Environment Monitoring System, composed of processes 7110 and 7120, related, respectively, to the Nature & Environment 110 and External Data Sources 120 components. Note that Module 100.12 is located between the two macroprocesses mentioned in order to better represent the arrangement between them.

[0132] In some embodiments, block creation for the Distributed Ledger System (Blockchain) 7000 may be organized in cycles or in a continuous fashion. In the continuous fashion, all demonstrated steps are performed once, with all steps repeating successively, which may result in a slower system. Alternatively, organizing in cycles may provide a faster and therefore preferable system. Each cycle may be organized temporally or by the number of blocks produced. Note that there may be more than one way to organize block production, not limited to the one demonstrated in. In the Proof-of-Nature consensus Distributed Ledger System (Blockchain) 7000 demonstrated in this disclosure, the block production cycle is called the preservation cycle.

[0133] In some implementations, the phase preceding the preservation cycle includes the Selection of Preservation Nodes 7006.1 that will participate in the cycle. This selection is made by Consensus Module 100.6 and is part of process 7006. In Preservation Node Selection 7006.1, a selection mechanism performs the tasks of reading and analyzing the geographic and environmental data contained in the Certificates 100.10.1 of ownership of the network's preservation nodes. This may include reading and analyzing information about the size of the geographic area, percentage of preserved area, preservation quality, as well as the need to update this information in the respective certificates. Based on this data, the selection mechanism can identify the preservation nodes whose information about nature and the environment is the most outdated and pre-select them to continue in the preservation node selection process.Other parameters can also be considered in the initial selection, such as pollution rates, biodiversity, biome, among others.

[0134] After the initial selection of preservation nodes has been made, the blockchain algorithm executes Data Request 7012.1, contained in process 7012. This may consist of sending, through the Oracle Module 100.12, a request for data to the External Data Sources 120, illustrated in process 7120.

[0135] External Data Sources 120, in process 7120, initiate Data Collection 7120.1. The data collected includes data related to geographic and environmental information related to Specific Geographic Locations 110.1, recorded in Certificates 100.10.1 of the pre-selected preservation nodes.

[0136] After Data Collection 7120.1 has been carried out for each of the Specific Geographic Locations 110.1, exemplified in process 7110, the External Data Sources 120 receive the Data Return 7120.2, and then send them to the Oracle Module 100.12, in process 7012, which in turn receives the data and performs the Data Validation, Processing and Consolidation tasks 7012.2. The data is then recorded in the Temporary Storage of Nature and Environmental Data 7012.3, becoming available for use by the Distributed Registry System (Blockchain) 7000 and its components.

[0137] In the next step, Oracle Module 100.12, process 7012, sends a notification to the preservation node selection mechanism informing that the requested data is available in the Temporary Storage of Nature and Environmental Data 7012.3. The preservation node selection mechanism then identifies in the temporary storage which of the initially selected preservation nodes actually have nature preserved areas and excludes from the selection all nodes that have not been proven to have preserved nature areas. This action finalizes the preservation node selection, leaving the Distributed Ledger System (Blockchain) 7000 ready to process the next executed transactions in the network, which translates into the Start of the Preservation Cycle 7006.2.

[0138] In some embodiments, in process 7004 of Transaction Module 100.4, a node A may perform the task of creating a transaction by sending values ​​and / or other useful data to a node B. This process begins with Transaction Creation 7004.1. This may involve useful data information, including the transaction value and its cryptographic signature for security and authentication purposes. Subsequently, the transaction is sent to the network, and Transaction Propagation 7004.2 occurs on the network, making the transaction visible to participating nodes.

[0139] Immediately after, Transaction Validation 7004.3 may occur, in which Preservation Nodes receive the transaction and verify its validity and compliance with blockchain rules. After passing the validation phase, the transaction becomes available in a temporary transaction memory (Mempool) 7004.4, where the transaction is temporarily stored along with others and waits for a preservation node to include it in a block along with the other transactions.

[0140] In some embodiments, to initiate the Block Creation and Validation process 7006.3, the consensus algorithm performs the task of randomly assigning, from among preservation nodes that have been selected by the Selection mechanism, a node to perform the task of creating the next block for Block Chain 100.2, of process 7002.

[0141] The creation of the block by the designated preservation node may include the tasks of capturing the transactions that are in the Transaction Mempool 7004.4, as well as capturing, in the Temporary Storage of Nature and Environment Data 7012.3, the Nature and Environment data 110 referring to the Specific Geographic Location 110.1, registered in the Certificate 100.10.1 of the preservation node that created the block.

[0142] The block is finalized by the designated preservation node and may include a record of the previous block's hash information, the block's creation date and time (timestamp), a set of transactions captured in the Transaction Mempool 7004.4, and a proof of nature from information contained in the Temporary Storage of Nature and Environmental Data 7012.3. Other useful information may also be added to the block. A complete block structure will be demonstrated later.

[0143] After the block is created, the preservation node that produced it sends it to the other network participants for Majority Consensus 7006.4. The block's validity is verified by verifying whether the transactions are valid, whether the reference to the previous block is correct, and, most importantly, whether the proof of nature is correctly recorded. This can be done by comparing the nature and environmental information entered in the block with the information in the temporary nature and environmental data storage 7012.3, or by requesting the data to be validated from the nature and environmental monitoring system.

[0144] If a majority of nodes agree that the new block is valid, it will be accepted, and Block 7006.5 will be added to the Blockchain. This means the new block will be permanently added to Block Chain 100.2, process 7002, and the nodes that consented to the new block will propagate this information to the other nodes in the network.

[0145] Nodes update their copies of the blockchain to reflect the addition of the new block and represent the current state of nature and the environment, which is reflected in a new version of the blockchain.

[0146] In the block recently appended to Block Chain 100.2, of process 7002, the transfer made by node A to node B will be permanently recorded, thus representing the End of Transaction 7004.5.

[0147] The Creation and Validation 7006.3, Majority Consensus 7006.4, and Block Addition to the Blockchain 7006.5 steps may be repeated multiple times, alternating preservation nodes from those selected by the preservation node selection process. After a certain amount of time or block production, the Preservation Cycle 7006.6 ends.

[0148] In some embodiments, at the end of the 7006.6 Preservation Cycle, a Reward is granted to 7006.7 Preservers. This may include receiving blockchain-native currencies and / or transaction fees collected for validating them. The rewards incentivize preservation nodes to validate and add blocks to the blockchain and maintain the network's integrity and security. In particular, the 7006.7 Preservation Node Reward serves the primary purpose of incentivizing these nodes to effectively preserve the geographic areas recorded in their 100.10.1 Certificates, which is materially achieved through the entities that embody them.

[0149] The rewards are proportionally distributed among the preservation nodes, and factors for distribution can be used, for example, the relationship between the total size of the geographic area and the percentage of the area effectively preserved, pollution rates, species preservation, among other criteria.

[0150] After the rewards are distributed to the preservation nodes, the 7006.8 Preservation Cycle Exchange occurs, providing the opportunity for other preservation nodes to participate in the consensus process with the aim of receiving rewards for preservation and also being able to update the nature and environmental data related to their respective 100.10.1 Certificates. A new preservation cycle is then initiated, repeating the processes described in.

[0151] The processes above demonstrate the extreme and fundamental importance of Nature and the Environment for the correct functioning of a Proof of Nature consensus blockchain, the subject of this disclosure, since if there are no demonstrably preserved areas of nature, the block production process collapses, affecting the entire blockchain.

[0152] The model presented in this invention demonstrates that information about nature is used throughout the consensus process, from the selection of preservation nodes to the completion of the cycle with rewards to the preservation nodes that produced the blocks.

[0153] The result is blocks produced during the preservation cycle capable of chronologically representing, in addition to transactions, the faithful state of nature at each moment in history. This is made possible through a block structure specially created to store transaction data and, primarily, data on nature and the environment. One of the possible block structures is presented in [the image]. It represents a diagram of the block structure for storing data in a Proof-of-Nature blockchain.

[0154] In some embodiments, the Block Header element 800 contains information essential to identifying the block, and may include a Block Sequence Number 800.1, a Timestamp 800.2 with the block creation timestamp, a Previous Block Hash 800.3, a Preservation Cycle value 800.4, a Merkle Hash 800.5 of the transactions, and a Proof of Nature Hash 800.6, forming an unbreakable chain of blocks.

[0155] Next, a Transaction List 801 is recorded. This component includes a list of transactions that have been grouped and confirmed within the block. Each transaction contains detailed information about the source, destination, amount, and digital signatures to verify authenticity. The transaction list can be processed through a Merkle tree to create a single Merkle Hash, known as the "Root Hash," stored in the block header.

[0156] The Proof of Nature 802 element demonstrates the existence of a geographic area containing preserved nature. To this end, this element stores data used to prove the effective preservation of nature. This element includes an 802.1 identifier from the 100.10.1 Certificate of ownership of the preservation node that created the block. Other information contained in this element refers to the 802.2 State of Nature and Environment, which stores geographic and environmental information related to the Specific Geographic Location 110.1 registered in the 100.10.1 Certificate of the preservation node that created the block. In some examples, this includes information such as preservation data, biodiversity, pollution indicators, and other information that accurately reflects the state of nature and the environment.

[0157] One of the characteristics of the 802 Proof-of-Nature element is that it is part of the structure of the 100.10.1 State of Nature & Environment Certificate of the block-creating preservation node, more specifically the 303.1 State of Nature & Environment component. In some examples, each time a block is produced, an additional 303.1 State of Nature & Environment record is recorded in the 303 Environmental History element of the 100.10.1 Certificate, containing the geographic and environmental data used in the Proof-of-Nature. Therefore, all 802 Proof-of-Nature records contained in the blocks are linked to and are part of the respective 100.10.1 Certificates used to produce the blocks. This characteristic gives the 802 Proof-of-Nature element the role of a public and reliable record of the preservation conditions of planet Earth for each geographic location recorded in the blockchain.

[0158] The Rewards and Fees 803 element records information about the rewards granted to preservation nodes that participated in the consensus process and proved they maintained their preserved areas. In some examples, the reward may include a number of blockchain-native coins and / or fees paid for transaction validation by preservation nodes.

[0159] The set of representations demonstrated throughout this presentation highlights how the different components connect and collaborate to create a cohesive and functional environment for implementing a Proof-of-Nature consensus blockchain. Each component plays a vital role in supporting the blockchain's operation, ensuring security, automation, and, especially, integration with nature and the environment, promoting their preservation in an unprecedented way through rewards on a blockchain network.

[0160] Therefore, there is innovation in the state of the art, since there is only validation of transactions and network consensus if there is the physical existence of geographic areas containing effectively preserved nature, whose proof within the blockchain network is made possible by the components and modules described in this invention.

[0161] Finally, it is worth noting that a Proof-of-Nature consensus blockchain system like the one disclosed here has never been proposed, tested, or implemented. Therefore, this invention meets the requirements of novelty, inventive step, and industrial application as set forth above.

Claims

Distributed registry system, CHARACTERIZED by comprising: a set of data structures, each configured to record geographic and environmental data; a distributed database to store the data recorded in the distributed registry system; a network of nodes, where connections between nodes are established through a communication protocol; a certification authority; a system for monitoring nature and the environment and integration with the distributed registry system; a consensus protocol based on a Proof of Nature system. System and method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that each geographic and environmental data structure is stored in a distributed database comprising: a general properties section, where relevant identifying data is stored, including, at a minimum, a unique identifier of the data structure, ownership information and a reference for visual representation; a geographic properties section, responsible for storing an accurate description of the area, so that longitudes and latitudes are inserted in GeoJSON format or similar structure, defining the geometry of the area as a singular polygon on the map, representing a unique geographic location in a geographic coordinate system;an environmental properties section, responsible for storing a set of environmentally relevant data, comprising a precise description of the environmental conditions relating to the geographic location specified in the geographic properties section, including date and time information for measurements of the recorded geographic and environmental data, in order to represent, in chronological order, the history of the environmental conditions of the geographic area recorded in the geographic location properties section, which may include data: preservation, such as information on vegetation cover and land use; pollution, such as information on water and air quality; biodiversity, such as information on the conditions in which plant and animal species are found, and lists of endangered species may be used; climatic, such as information on temperature, humidity, rainfall indicators, among other climatic data;relating to the carbon cycle, such as the carbon retention capacity of the respective geographical area, among other data relating to the carbon cycle.; System, according to any one of claims 1 and 2, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the set of geographic and environmental data structures are stored in a distributed database and there may be a plurality of geographic and environmental data structures, each one portraying the environmental conditions for each geographic location specified in the respective geographic properties section, so that the set of these data structures has the capacity to represent, in a faithful manner, in a distributed registry system, the general state of nature and the environment of planet Earth, and may even serve as a source of information for the most diverse applications such as scientific, commercial and industrial. System and apparatus, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the network of nodes is composed of a set of nodes where each node comprises one or more computing devices coupled to one or more non-transitory storage devices, which contain instructions readable by the computing device, each of which executes a node software of the distributed registry system, and may comprise nodes with diverse characteristics and functions, organized into: standard nodes, configured for the functions of reading, sending and receiving transactions and / or useful registry data; validation, consensus and preservation nodes, called preservation nodes, configured to perform the tasks of validating and reaching consensus on transactions occurring in the network in accordance with the rules and protocols defined by the distributed registry system. System, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that each preservation node is associated with a geographic and environmental data structure, which may be integrated into the structure of the respective preservation nodes, or may be included in the structure of other components of the distributed registry system, such as digital certificates or tokens, for example, and linked to the respective preservation nodes. System and method, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the certifying authority performs the task of issuing in the distributed registry system the geographic and environmental data structures comprising the steps of: an interested entity (person, company, organization, country, etc.) request the certifying authority to issue a geographic and environmental data structure in the distributed registry system, accompanied by the respective documentation proving ownership and / or possession of the geographic area to be registered in the geographic and environmental data structure, including its georeference; the certifying authority will analyze the request and documents presented by the requesting entity and decide whether ownership and / or possession of the area has been sufficiently proven, and this task may be done digitally or physically, by people or systems, including through a voting process by members of the distributed registry system network or another system external to it; the certifying authority, after approving the request, will issue in the distributed registry system a geographic and environmental data structure linking it to a preservation node informed by the requesting entity that has proven ownership and / or possession of the geographic area.Distributed database system, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it can comprise a blockchain configured to store a sequence of back-referenced blocks, in chronological order, where each block comprises: a header, where essential identification information of the block is stored, including a sequence number of the block, a timestamp of its creation, a reference hash for the immediately preceding block, a hash (merkle) of the set of transactions and a hash of the proof of nature, and may also include a preservation cycle number; a set of transactions or recordable useful data, where detailed information about the respective origin, destination, value, timestamp and cryptographic signatures is stored;a proof of nature, where geographic and environmental information is stored that proves that at the time of creation of the block, or on a recent date, there was the physical existence of a geographic area containing preserved nature, which may include: a set of data relating to the state of nature and the environment of the geographic area specified in the geographic and environmental data structure of the preservation node that created the block, and also data from the unique identification of the geographic and environmental data structure associated with the preservation node responsible for producing the block; a section of additional data, which may include information about rewards received by preservation nodes.; System and method, according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the proof of nature can comprise the task of a preservation node, responsible for the creation of the block, to prove, at the time of creation of the block, the existence of geographic areas containing effectively preserved nature in the geographic location specified in its geographic and environmental data structure. System, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the system for monitoring nature and the environment and integration with the distributed registry system comprises: external data sources, including any device, apparatus or system, which aim to provide reliable geographic and / or environmental data, current or historical and which can be integrated into a distributed registry system; a mechanism for interaction between the distributed registry system and external data sources providing geographic and environmental information, capable of carrying out nature and environmental monitoring in a distributed registry system, and may include components known as oracles configured to connect, through a communication protocol, to one or more external sources providing geographic and environmental information, to carry out data packet exchange activities, involving the request and reception of data;a data processing engine, responsible for processing the data provided by external sources, consisting of the activities of validating, processing and transforming the data into a format suitable for use by the distributed registry system, including the activities of aggregating and consolidating the data; a data storage engine, capable of storing in one or more non-transitory storage devices, the processed geographic and environmental data from external data sources, making them available for use by the distributed registry system.; Method, according to claim 9, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the nature and environmental monitoring system and integration with a distributed registry system can comprise the steps of: the distributed registry system, or its components, demanding from the mechanism of interaction with the external data sources, the collection of geographic and environmental data related to one or more geographic locations; the interaction mechanism identifies one or more external data sources capable of providing the requested data; the interaction mechanism establishes a secure connection with the identified data source or sources; the interaction mechanism sends a data request or requests to one or more identified external data sources in order to obtain the geographic and environmental information of one or more requested geographic locations; the interaction mechanism receives the requested data and makes it available to the data processing mechanism;the data processing mechanism performs the tasks of validating, processing, aggregating and consolidating the received data; the storage mechanism receives the duly processed data and temporarily stores it in an environment accessible to the distributed registry system; the interaction mechanism makes available, in the temporary storage environment, the geographic and environmental data required, for use by the distributed registry system, or its components.; System and method, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the availability of geographic and environmental data in the temporary storage environment, allows the distributed registry system to perform some automated actions based on the collected data, which may include the selection of preservation nodes for participation in the consensus process based on the collected geographic and environmental data. Consensus system for a distributed ledger system, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the consensus protocol is based on a proof-of-nature system, which requires proof that there are physically geographical areas containing preserved nature. Consensus system, according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it can comprise: a network of preservation nodes, in which each node has associated with it, a structure of geographic and environmental data, responsible for the activities of validation and consensus of the transactions that occur in the distributed registry system, and consequent production of blocks, in the case that the distributed registry system is based on a blockchain; a system for monitoring nature and the environment and integration with a distributed registry system, responsible for interacting with external data sources, enabling the incorporation of geographic and environmental data into the distributed registry system, enabling the monitoring of nature and the environment directly by the distributed registry system; a preservation node selection mechanism that selects which nodes will participate in the consensus process. System, according to claim 13, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the geographic and environmental data structures associated with the preservation nodes can be used to store the geographic and environmental data provided by the nature and environmental monitoring system. System and method, according to claim 13, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the physical existence of geographic areas containing preserved nature is an essential requirement for the proof-of-nature consensus protocol, without which the system collapses. System and method, according to claim 13, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the verification of the physical existence of geographic areas containing preserved nature, in the distributed registry system, is made possible by the nature and environment monitoring system and integration with the distributed registry system. System and method, according to claim 13, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the proof of the physical existence of geographic areas containing preserved nature is carried out using the information present in the geographic and environmental data structures associated with the preservation nodes of the network, so that the data recorded in the geographic and environmental data structures have the capacity to prove the existence of geographic areas containing preserved nature in a distributed registry system. System and method, according to claim 13, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the mechanism for selecting the preservation nodes that will participate in the consensus process, performs the task of reading and analyzing the data recorded in the geographic and environmental data structures associated with the preservation nodes, and may use as criteria for choosing the preservation node or nodes that will participate in the consensus process, among the data contained in the geographic and environmental data structure associated with the preservation nodes, one or more parameters, which may include: the need to update the geographic and environmental data of the geographic and environmental data structure associated with the preservation nodes; the total size of the preserved areas; the percentage between the preserved area and the total recorded area; the environmental importance of the geographic location of the area; the biome of the geographic location; the pollution of the geographic location; the biodiversity of the geographic location;the reputation of the preservation node; other environmental, geographic or preservation node-related information available in the distributed ledger system.; Consensus method for a distributed ledger system, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that consensus in the network depends on a proof of nature comprising proof of the physical existence of geographic areas containing effectively preserved nature, and proof of a balanced environment may be optionally required in the consensus process. Consensus method according to any one of claims 12 to 19, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises the steps of: the preservation node selection mechanism performing the task of pre-selecting the preservation nodes for the consensus process using one or more selection criteria contained in claim 18, in accordance with the data contained in the geographic and environmental data structures associated with the preservation nodes; the preservation node selection mechanism requiring the nature and environmental monitoring system to consult the geographic and environmental data relating to the geographic areas specified in the geographic and environmental data structures associated with the pre-selected preservation nodes;the nature and environmental monitoring system interacts with external data sources, involving the tasks of: requesting geographic and environmental data relating to the geographic locations specified in the geographic and environmental data structures associated with the pre-selected preservation nodes; receiving, processing and temporarily storing the required geographic and environmental data; making the processed data available for use by the distributed registry system or its components;the preservation node selection mechanism analyzes the geographic and environmental data made available by the nature and environmental monitoring system, thus finalizing the selection of preservation nodes, which may include the task of excluding from the selection the preservation nodes in whose geographic areas the existence of preserved nature was not verified, so that only the preservation nodes whose geographic areas the existence of preserved nature was verified remain in the selection, in order to leave the distributed registry system able to process the next transactions in the network; Method, according to any one of the previous claims, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the consensus protocol randomly designates a preservation node, among the nodes selected by the selection mechanism, to produce the next block, comprising the tasks of: capturing transactions from the distributed ledger system that have not yet been finalized by a consensus process, which are stored in a temporary transaction memory; capturing, in the temporary storage environment of the nature and environmental monitoring system, geographic and environmental data relating to the geographic location specified in the geographic and environmental data structure of the designated preservation node;create a block for the blockchain containing: a header including a sequential number of the block, a timestamp of its creation, a reference hash for the immediately preceding block, a hash (merkle) of the set of transactions and a hash of the proof of nature, which may also include a preservation cycle number; a section containing a set of transactions or useful recordable data captured in the temporary transaction memory; a section containing a proof of nature, captured in the temporary storage environment of the nature and environmental monitoring system, comprising the geographic and environmental data relating to the geographic location specified in the geographic and environmental data structure of the preservation node that created the block, and; a section containing additional data, which may include information about rewards;send the finalized block to the other participating nodes in the network, which perform the task of verifying the validity of the block, which may involve checking whether the transactions are valid, whether the reference to the previous block is correct, and whether the Proof of Nature containing the geographic and environmental data of the preservation node that created it is properly represented.; Method, according to any one of the previous claims, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the proof of nature recorded in the block integrates the geographic and environmental data structure of the preservation node that created the block, so that the geographic and environmental information that constitutes the proof of nature is appended to the respective data structure, enabling the formation of a historical sequence of the environmental conditions of the geographic location specified in the geographic and environmental data structure of the preservation node that created the block. Method, according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that for the block to be considered valid for the proof-of-nature consensus distributed ledger system, the majority of the preservation nodes must agree that the produced block is correct, which comprises the validation of the block, and in particular the validation of the Proof-of-Nature, so that, if there is consensus of the majority of the preservation nodes that the block is valid, it will be accepted and added to the blockchain permanently, with this information being propagated to the other nodes in the network, which update their copies of the blockchain to reflect the addition of the new block and represent the current state of the transactions, and especially the current state of nature and the environment, which is reflected in a new version of the blockchain. Method, according to any one of the above claims, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the validation of the Proof of Nature recorded in the block to be carried out by the preservation nodes participating in the network may comprise, one or both of the tasks of: comparing the Proof of Nature record contained in the block to be verified, with the information that is in the temporary storage of the nature and environmental monitoring system referring to the geographic area specified in the geographic and environmental data structure of the preservation node that created the block, and if the compared data are equal, the Proof of Nature is considered valid;request from the nature and environmental monitoring system the geographic and environmental data relating to the geographic area specified in the geographic and environmental data structure of the preservation node that created the block, in order to compare the returned data with the proof of nature record contained in the block, and if the compared data are equal, the Proof of Nature is considered valid.; Method, according to any one of the previous claims, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that, at the end of the consensus process, the preservation nodes are exchanged, so that the preservation node selection mechanism initiates a new selection, allowing other preservation nodes the opportunity to participate in the consensus process. Method, according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the consensus process can be organized in: uninterrupted mode, so that all the steps contained in claims 20 to 25 are performed sequentially only once, so that after the final step, with the exchange of the preservation nodes, the initial step is returned with the selection of the preservation nodes, repeating the entire cycle several times, which may imply a slower system;preservation cycles, so that their beginning occurs exactly as in the uninterrupted mode with the selection of preservation nodes, but the steps contained in claims 21 to 24 can be repeated several times, alternating the preservation nodes among those selected by the selection mechanism, and after a period of time or quantity of blocks produced, the preservation cycle ends and the preservation nodes are exchanged to start a new preservation cycle, which may correspond to a more efficient system, given that the preservation node selection step can be reused several times, which results in a faster and more efficient system.; Method, according to any of the above claims, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that in the Proof-of-Nature consensus process, rewards can be granted to preservation nodes in order to encourage them to perform the tasks comprised in the consensus protocol, and, in particular, to keep nature and the environment preserved in their respective geographic areas specified in their geographic and environmental data structures, such task being materially carried out by the entities that embody the preservation nodes, that is, people, companies, countries, communities, organizations, among others, and the rewards may include the receipt of digital currencies or native tokens of the distributed registry system, fees collected due to the validation of transactions, as well as fees collected due to the preservation of nature and the environment.

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