Business for Nature to support implementation of business-related targets in the Global Biodiversity Framework in four countries

Recording of the event “How can businesses contribute to the implementation of GBF Target 15?” in the GEF Pavillion at CBD COP15 

From ambition to implementation: a global agreement on nature 

In December 2022 at the UN Biodiversity COP15, 196 countries adopted an ambitious global agreement on nature. This agreement, called the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, sends a clear signal to the private sector through Target 15 which commits governments to require all large and transnational business and financial institutions to assess and disclose their risks, impacts and dependencies on nature at the latest by 2030.  

Adopting the GBF is a huge and welcome step forward towards a nature positive future, but the Framework’s success will be determined by how quickly and effectively governments move to implementation and how its impact trickles down into national legislation. This is a unique opportunity for governments, civil society, business and financial institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to work together to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. 

For the Framework to be successful, countries will need to  update their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)  and implement actions to meet their commitments. This requires coordination between governments, who are responsible for the NBSAPs, and businesses, who can contribute to NBSAP development and implementation. 

BfN to support national implementation of the GBF in Malaysia, Colombia and South Africa 

Starting from 2023, we will support the implementation of business-related targets of the Framework in four developing countries, including Malaysia, Colombia and South Africa (the fourth country is yet to be selected). This is made possible with generous funding from the Global Environmental Facility, as well as support from Conservation International as the project implementation agency. 

Business for Nature is excited to collaborate with partner organizations in this way to help forge public-private collaborations. The work includes: 

• conducting baseline analysis for each country to understand the level of existing engagement between governments and businesses 

• establishing / supporting national-level business advisory groups, which will inform governments in the development of national targets 

• collaborating with governments to develop business biodiversity action plans as part of the NBSAPs

• organizing regular roundtables between businesses and national governments and multi-stakeholder events on the role of business in driving policy ambition on nature, engaging notably indigenous groups, women and youth

Call for proposals to partner in South Africa 

Business for Nature is seeking a partner organization to deliver this work in South Africa and has put out a Call for Proposals (available in Word and PDF).  

• Title: National organization to support the development of “business advisory group” to assist the drafting of a government-led business action plan on biodiversity as part of South Africa CBD updated NBSAP.  

• Date of Issuance: 18 January 2023 

• Deadline: 17 February 2023  

• Project timeline: 1 March 2023 – 31 July 2023 

• Project budget: maximum of USD $24,750 

• Note: Upon successful completion of the contract, the national partner has the opportunity to continue the implementation from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 with a new workplan and an additional budget of USD $24,750. 

• Minimum Requirements  

  • The bidder should be a credible organization that represents leading business voices in South Africa. 

  • The bidder should have existing relationship with business and government in South Africa, as well as technical expertise related to business, policy and biodiversity. 

  • The bidder should demonstrate willingness and interest to collaborate with BfN on the project, as well as flexibility to innovate and adapt during the execution phase based on national context.

More details can be found in the full Request for Proposal document available in both Word and PDF versions.

If you are an organization based in South Africa and are interested in supporting this work, please submit your proposal, as well as any questions, to contact@businessfornature.org by 17 February 2023. 

Please also let us know if you are interested in collaborating with us in one of the priority countries or other relevant countries. You can reach us by emailing contact@businessfornature.org.