(c)abraham-barrera@unsplash
Today’s blog is written by Kim Dunn, Senior Policy Officer, to discuss how the new Decade for Business Action report shows where and how businesses can take action for nature, to move from pledges to impact.
This decade, we need to see business action at a much greater scale than we’ve seen so far on climate, and it must address climate change and biodiversity loss together.
The countdown is on – COP15 starts in just a few days, and already we’re hearing about the importance of this moment for biodiversity. This really is a pivotal moment, and not just for the governments of the world. Businesses need to get involved and have a crucial role to play in using their voice to support the plight of nature.
The UK Government has committed to a Net Zero and Nature Positive economy by 2030. Increasingly, we are seeing businesses making similar commitments, and in many places, forging ahead of the Government in understanding and accounting for their impacts on nature – but we still have a long way to go.
A World Richer in Nature
Last month, RSPB released a A World Richer in Nature.pdf that sets a clear vision of how to work towards a Nature Positive UK, outlining the actions governments need to take in 6 key areas (Species Recovery, Protected Areas, Food and Farming, Fisheries, Climate Change and Finance) to achieve a Nature Positive future. But we know that governments cannot work alone – businesses have a crucial role to play.
In this supplementary report, the role of businesses is highlighted, both through direct action, and advocacy to the government. We know that no one can do this alone, and that governments, businesses and financial institutions need to work together to address the dual climate and biodiversity crisis.
A Decade of Business Action
In a Nature Positive world, nature will be fundamentally embedded in business decisions, creating a world in which people and nature thrive. Addressing the climate and biodiversity crisis is fundamental to the longevity and resilience of businesses. The report sets out six major areas where government action is needed for nature to thrive. Businesses have an equally important role to play in each of these areas, from financing and investing, to educating citizens and influencing government.
Not only is taking action for nature good for the planet; it also makes economic sense.
Nature Positive economic progress has opportunities and risks that need to be understood. (c) Lisa Brown
As the Dasgupta Review (2021) identified, “our economies are embedded within nature, not external to it”. A Nature Positive economy cannot be a pipe dream, it is a pathway towards a more resilient, abundant and inclusive future – and to get there we need all parts of society to take a stand for climate and nature.
At COP15, the eyes of the world will be watching – governments will come together, and businesses will have the opportunity to drive change. The outcome of COP15 is just the start, everyone needs to make this the decade of action.
Further reading:
Read the ‘A World Richer in Nature’ for Government action A World Richer in Nature.pdf
A flavour of our work on Nature Positive:
Summary article: What is a Nature Positive world and how can we get there?
What is ‘Nature Positive’ and what does it mean to us? What could a Nature Positive future world look like?
How much do we need to spend to save nature in the UK and what is the role of public and private finance in filling the current gap?
How can we best support all the money flowing into places and infrastructure projects that work for nature?
Summary article: The pathway to a Nature Positive future
Private investment is finally an option for nature conservation – how we can use high-quality private investment to help protect and restore nature?
How can businesses lead the way and start taking action towards a Nature Positive future now?
Places, people and communities matter when it comes to saving nature – what does it mean to foster Nature Positive places and what is the role of local communities in protecting and restoring nature?