What you need to know about biodiversity

Panel discussionJune 1st, 2010

Biodiversity conservation

vs.

Economic development

Panel Discussion- participantsPanelists

• Matt Walpole – “A world where biodiversity counts”

• Patrick Ten Brink– “The economics of ecosystems & biodiversity”

• Francois Wakenhut– “International platforms for biodiversity”

Moderator

• James Griffiths

World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

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A CEO-led coalition of some 200 companies with a shared commitment to Sustainable Development via the three pillars of economic growth, ecological balance and social progress.

What do we work on?

Four Focus Areas: The Business Role, looking at how we drive sustainable innovation Development, promoting business solutions to the sustainability challenges of developing countries and emerging economies Energy & Climate, focusing on the transformation of the energy system and climate change negotiationsEcosystems, exploring how we put a value on the use and improve management of ecosystems.

These are complemented by Projects, with an emphasis on Systems Solutions or a more issue or sector specific focus…including sustainable forestry and water

 

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Panel discussion - framing title• Is “Biodiversity conservation vs. economic

development” the right “either-or” approach?• Or should it be a more integrated

approach…like “Sustainable development – delivering economic growth and ecological balance and social progress”

• Or even…”Living well within the limits of the Earth – a realistic goal?”

WBCSD - Vision 2050

7

Human Development Index (HDI)

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Source: GFN

/ UN

DP

“In 2050,some 9 billion people live well, and within the limits of the planet.”

Our key concern“Business as usual” in terms of • biodiversity conservation• sustainable use of ecosystems services• equitable benefit sharing

is not working and is delivering sub optimal outcome

We are destroying natural capital…which has REAL impacts on social development and economic opportunities

Questions for discussion – role of Government

1. Is more regulation the key response to address ecological degradation and biodiversity conservation?

2. Who should “be at the table” when new regulations are set ?

3. What should “new” regulations look like?

Questions for discussion – role of Business

1. How credible or effective is current business action on ecosystems?

– Measurement, management, valuation and mitigation of impacts

– Biodiversity “friendly” goods & services

2. How important a solution provider is business in addressing ecosystems/ecosystem service challenges?

Questions for discussion – role of Public/Private approaches

If biodiversity is a whole-of-society challenge1. How can we effectively address the challenge

together?

2. Do we have the necessary platforms for collective action?

3. Are current developments around REDD plus (on forests) and sustainable water management (like foot printing) good start points?

Business and Ecosystems - the case for corporate action

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WBCSD working on biodiversity and ecosystems for 10+ years

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Businesses impact on ecosystems and ecosystem services

Businesses rely and depend on ecosystems and ecosystem services

How do ecosystems relate to business?

Ecosystem change creates business risks and

opportunities

1. Measure, manage and mitigate risks and impacts; proactively address risks and explore opportunities

2. Undertake corporate ecosystem valuation to quantify business risks and opportunities

3. Innovate and lead the development of:– Markets for ecosystem services– Eco-efficient goods, services & technologies

4. Support “smart” ecosystem regulation that reverses degradation and “levels the playing field” for all

5. Encourage suppliers & purchasers to adopt best practices

6. Enter into creative partnerships with municipalities and governments, NGOs, scientific community, etc

What can business do – right now?

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1. Ecosystems Services Review (ESR) Guide – Helping business assess their ecosystem impacts and dependence

2. Ecosystems Valuation Initiative (EVI)– Helping business value their ecosystem liabilities, risks, opportunities

and assets

3. Business input into the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

– Advocating for a level playing field with flexible policy frameworks and smart regulation

– Promoting market based approaches that leverages business as a solution provider

4. Insight & Understanding– Raising business awareness and action on ecosystem issues

Key work streams

Structured method that helps managers develop proactive strategies to manage risks and

opportunities arising from their company’s dependence and impact on ecosystems.

Developed with WRI, Meridian Institute & 5 road-testersReleased at Montreux, March 2008, and used by 300 + companies to dateNow available in Spanish (Telefonica & Holcim), Portuguese (Brisa & BCSDP), Japanese (Hitachi Chemical), Chinese (WRI) and French (EDF, Veolia, GDF Suez)

Corporate Ecosystem Services Review (ESR) Guide

Ecosystem Valuation Initiative (EVI) – a decision support tool

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GUIDE Under

development

Partners:

www.wbcsd.org/web/evi.htm

Objective:

To support business manage and mitigate ecosystem risks and realize ecosystem opportunities by explicitly accounting for the full value of ecosystems as well as the costs associated with ecosystem service loss

Ecosystem Valuation Initiative (EVI)

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The 15 EVI road testers – guide for release at CBD COP 10

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Other WBCSD tools to help companies measure, manage, value and mitigate ecosystem impacts

Thank You