Business for Nature - October 2020 News Update
Consultation open: Share your views on the CBD Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
We’re pleased to announce that we have launched a business consultation on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. The framework is expected to be adopted at COP15 in Kunming China next year.
We’re inviting businesses of all sizes, sectors, and geographies to share their views before 13 November.
The Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework is the equivalent of the Paris Climate Agreement - but for nature - and it is intended to include goals, targets and policy directions for our global society over the next three decades that will lead the way to achieving the CBD 2050 vision of “Living in Harmony with Nature”.
We urge companies, as well as organizations that work with the business community, to share their views through this consultation and help shape the agenda in a way that is grounded in real business and is sufficiently ambitious to achieve the level of action the biodiversity crisis demands.
We’d suggest you make yourself comfortable with your favorite drink (we opt for tea) when you complete the survey. You are welcome to complete as much of the survey as is relevant to you.
For more information about the CBD, read our Business Guide to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
To understand why the Post-2020 framework is essential, read our publication “No business on a dead planet – why adopting an ambitious Post-2020 Framework makes economic sense.”
Call to Action – thank you and an update
More than 600 companies have now signed up to the Nature is Everyone’s Business Call to Action, urging governments to adopt ambitious policies to reverse nature loss in this decade.
Together, we demonstrated this growing business momentum at the UN Biodiversity Summit where the CEO of Sintesa Group, Shinta Kamdani and ICC Secretary General, John Denton both talked about the Call to Action. Reuters covered the Call to Action: the story was picked up by several other international news outlets. Our video, Nature is Everyone's Business - why we need policies to reverse nature loss with 14 CEOs was played at a few different events. We will continue to encourage businesses to sign up over the coming months.
Leaders’ Pledge for Nature
We are an official supporter of the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature adopted by 77 Heads of State and Government, and we welcome such strong political leadership in the run-up to CBD COP 15.
This willingness and co-operation must now be translated into meaningful action through an ambitious and transformative Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, complemented by robust, enforceable and legally binding agreements on nature at international, national and local levels.
Other bits of news
Capitals Coalition has launched the first integrated capitals operational guidance for the food system, the TEEBAgriFood Operational Guidelines for Business; practical guidance on including biodiversity in natural capital assessments with the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, and draft principles of integrated capitals assessment for consultation until 15 November.
On 1 October, 27 companies made new SMART commitments for biodiversity through Act4nature International, bringing the total number of committed companies to 73. It is led by Entreprises pour l’Environement (EpE). Companies interested in joining the initiative are invited to send their SMART commitments by the 8 of January 2021.
SBTN has issued Science-Based Targets for Nature Initial Guidance for Business on what it means for a company to do its part to help stop the loss of nature. It helps companies set a clear course of action to protect nature in line with science. Read this Project Syndicate article by executive directors Erin Billman, SBTN and Eva Zabey, BfN on Making Business Work for Nature.
WWF launches new video - Our Planet: Too Big to Fail. Building on the success of the Our Planet Our Business film which was screened by more than 150 companies globally, WWF has worked with producers of the Our Planet series and Sir David Attenborough’s A Life on Our Planet to create Our Planet: Too Big to Fail (watch the teaser video) with a focus on the financial sector. It shows the impact of investing-as-usual plus a series of thought-provoking interviews to show the role the finance sector can play in the transition to a sustainable future. The films are publicly available, but WWF is supporting many institutions with suggestions for hosting virtual viewings and are tracking events where the film is shown. If you’re interested in doing a screening please register your event.
Thank you again,
Eva Zabey
Executive Director– Business for Nature