Yet restoring nature is about far more than protecting endangered species. Nature is the foundation of life on which we all depend. Our health relies on nature to provide a steady supply of nutritious food, clean air and water, as well as spiritual and cultural enrichment that boost our mental well-being.
At the end of 2022, ahead of the Global Conference on Biodiversity, COP15 – the biodiversity equivalent of the Paris agreement for climate – more than 330 businesses and financial institutions sent a letter to governments calling for them to adopt mandatory requirements on nature. They recognised the silent but powerful influence on business, and the material risks that nature loss will have – as well as the need for companies to play their part.
It worked. 196 countries voted to ‘halt and reverse nature loss by 2030’.
This popularised the term ‘nature positive’ and has led to lots of businesses beginning to set out their own nature positive strategies and goals.
The term “Nature Positive” is used to describe a world where nature – species and ecosystems – is being restored and is regenerating rather than declining.
A major coalition of organisations including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) argues for a ‘global goal for nature’, aiming to bend the curve of biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve a full recovery of nature by 2050.
Every business relies on nature for resources and ecosystem services such as water, food, fibre, minerals, pollination of crops, water filtration and climate regulation. It isn’t only companies that produce food; it’s all businesses, both in their own operations and supply chains, and for their employees and customers.
Some areas are already under great stress, with deforestation leading to reduced water quality and availability, as well as more severe and frequent droughts. With three-quarters of the world’s crops dependent on pollination, the loss of trees and the resulting decline in pollinators is putting food security at risk. Security of supply and access to materials are becoming a major risk for companies.
With increasing customer and investor awareness and expectations, action for nature will not relate to security of supply, but will soon become the foundation of a social licence to operate and will be increasingly attractive for investors.
Nature is becoming the new carbon. The Science Based Targets for nature, now piloting its assessment and reporting framework, is widely expected to play as influential a role in guiding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) actions as the climate-focused SBTi.
Yet nature is not an isolated strategy. It underpins multiple goals and therefore offers the opportunity to have a comprehensive approach to corporate commitments.
Waiting until the perfect framework is ready isn’t a solution. We must start now. Restoring degraded forests properly takes 15 to 20 years – so taking action now will mean you can show a measurable impact from 2030 onwards.
A Forest and Nature partnership developed around your corporate goals and the Global Biodiversity Framework targets provide measurable data for transparent and credible reporting (hectares of degraded land under restoration; diversity of species regenerating).
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