Role of Corporates in Biodiversity Conservation. Aditya Petwal IUCN INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE 1

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1 Role of Corporates in Biodiversity Conservation Aditya Petwal IUCN 1

2 Biodiversity Loss Around Us Globally One out of 8 birds One, out of 8 mammals One, out of 4 Conifers One out of 3 amphibian 6 out of 7 Marine Turtles Are Threatened with Extinction 1/3 rd of all assessed species (approx 18K out of assessed 54K) 2

3 Ecosystems Uniquely Placed to Protect Us

4 Natural Capital Benefits and Erosion Quantum of various benefits - USD 125 trillion/yr to USD 145 trillion/yr (estimate of 2011) ---Costanza et al 2014 Climate change Habitat change Invasive species Overexploitation Pollution Global erosion of Natural Capital - USD 4.3 trilin 1997 and USD 20.2 trillion in Costanza et al 2014 Erosion of Natural Capital in India % of our GDP ---World Bank report (2013) -Diagnostic Assessment of Select Environmental Challenges in India

5 How is business linked to Biodiversity Sectors that present great Risks or Opportunities : Large Biodiversity Footprint Sectors: with high direct impact on ecosystems, habitats and associated local livelihoods: extractives (Mining, Oil and Gas), Infrastructure Develoment; Agriculture, Commercial Fisheries; Timber; power. High Biodiversity Dependent Sectors: with strong supply chain links at landscape or seascape levels: food and beverage; tourism; pharmaceuticals; consumer goods. Leveraging Sectors: financial; retail, Research and Consultancy

6 Business and Biodiversity on High Agenda The Environment Policy of India (2006) emphasizes on the role required to be played by private sector in environmental management. Convention on Biological Diversity in COP11, referring decision X/21 Paragraph 1 calls upon the parties (d) To support the establishment of national and regional business and biodiversity initiatives and to strive towards a global partnership on business and biodiversity by inviting ongoing initiatives and other interested stakeholders to be part of the business and biodiversity initiative, and to take note of the Jakarta Charter;[ ] Association of Chartered Certified Accountants released a paper claiming that companies have a responsibility to protect the environment and the loss of natural capital exposes the private sector to a range of risks and opportunities.

7 Role of Corporate in taking care of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Businesses are Key Stakeholders & can be active partners in Conservation by Being informed of their Impacts and dependencies Being Responsible against their Ecological Footprint Defining policy and action on ground Being open to share their resources for Conservation

8 Business Case for Biodiversity Biodiversity has economic value: value for conserving trees and forests to cut green House emissions is around $ 3.7 trillion annually.benefits from insect pollination are worth $189 billion annually and that from coral reefs are worth $ 172 billion. Reputational, regulatory and operational risks: As per United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment, the top 3,000 listed companies globally are estimated to be responsible for environmental externalities worth at least US$ 2.2 trillion per year. Opportunities towards futuristic Markets: According to Union for Ethical BioTrade s Biodiversity Barometer Survey (2011),a high proportion of consumers (84%) are ready to stop buying unsustainable products Access to capital: Investment and lending policies are becoming rigorous, Institutions favoring ecologically sensible companies.

9 IUCN s Leaders for Nature-India Aim: To enablecompanies to reduce their ecological impacts and achieve Net Positive Impacts, collectively creating Indian Economy that values and conserves the Nature.

10 Natural Capital Road Map Identify your impacts and dependencies on natural capital Assess your business risks and opportunities Measure and report on your impacts and dependencies Take action to reduce your risks and capture opportunities Integrate natural capital into your business strategy Engage and jointly realize the transition towards a green and sustainable economy

11 Master Class 1 Step 1: Business and Ecosystem Linkages Previous Master Classes Master Class 2 Step 2: Corporate Ecosystem Services Review Master Class 3 Step 3: Corporate Ecosystem Valuation Master Class 4 Step 4: Take action on Ground to reduce your Impact and tap opportunities Step 5,6: Integrate Natural Capital in Corporate Strategy and Engage with Industry peer and Govt 11

12 Rio Tinto a global mining company Examples of Corporates Conserving Biodiversity 2004, defined a Biodiversity Strategy at group level Goal of achieving a net positive impact (NPI) to not only balance, but to outweigh the inevitable disturbances and impacts In 2007, introduced an annual group-wide Global Biodiversity Values Assessment Protocol (GBVA) Subsequently, Biodiversity Action Plans to take action and monitor the progress In India working for vulture conservation

13 Examples of Corporates Conserving Biodiversity Holcim, which is one of the world s leading suppliers of cement and aggregates has more than 500 extraction sites across the globe acknowledged that it has high impact on biodiversity approached IUCN to seek support to reduce its impacts on Biodiversity. IUCN helped them in developing Integrated Biodiversity Management System Biodiversity Management System (BMS) has led to defining of devoted internal biodiversity directives (BD) BDs to be implemented by its plants and subsidiary companies, worldwide

14 IUCN Tata Steel Engagement Development of a comprehensive corporate biodiversity policy and strategy Enhancement of knowledge on biodiversity conservation and management Promotion of good practice by sharing the learning with the wider industry 8 mines assessed ESR and Biodiversity Survey conducted and Indicator Species have been identified Biodiversity Management Plans are being developed 14

15 THANK YOU Aditya Petwal Coordinator, Leaders for Nature(L4N)- India; IUCN India Country Office