The challenge of building biodiversity business is not trivial. Biodiversity is still largely neglected by private finance. There is a need to develop new business models and market mechanisms for biodiversity conservation, and to persuade the public and policy makers that biodiversity (or component ecosystem services) can be conserved on a commercial basis.
All economies and businesses depend directly or indirectly on the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable supply of ecosystem services. This report, intended for the business and conservation communities, demonstrates the commonality of interests between the two sectors and seeks to establish a shared vision of market-based approaches to nature conservation.
While the business case for climate change is now widely recognized, the business case for biodiversity has only to a limited extent been addressed. However, "biodiversity" or the ecosystem services that are supporting our way of living, bear characteristics of becoming the next challenge for financial institutions. This report provides a detailed analysis of the business case for financial institutions from a risk perspective.
This handbook provides information on the business case for biodiversity, as well as current biodiversity issues for business, and guidance on corporate biodiversity strategies. The current status of the debate is illustrated by specific case stories, thus providing an opportunity for companies to highlight their renewed commitment to an issue of high importance.
