European Business and Nature Summit 2025
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) participated in the European Business and Nature Summit 2025, which took place on 23 & 24 October 2025 in Helsinki, Finland.
We were delighted to take part in an inspiring forum alongside European policymakers, financial institutions, corporates, sustainability leaders, and civil society organisations to discuss how to enable and accelerate credible business action and transformation for nature. WCS EU is proud to be a supporting partner of the European Business and Nature Summit (EBNS).
Key takeaways from the opening discussions:
- Protecting nature, restoring ecosystems, and managing natural resources are preconditions for European competitiveness.
- Our forests, rivers, seas, soils, and biodiversity provide the ecosystem services that keep our economy running.
- Investing in nature yields measurable economic returns through greater resilience.
Left: Eric Mamer, Director General of DG Environnent. Right: the audience at EBNS 2025 in Helsinki
Hugo Costa, Director of Business & Biodiversity Impact at WCS presented in a session on “Collaboration for Nature: How multi-stakeholder partnerships can drive real impact for biodiversity at landscape scale”, organised by Fauna & Flora. During his intervention, Hugo highlighted the critical need to:
- Involve a diverse network of stakeholders from multiple sectors;
- Build strategic partnerships with catalytic institutions;
- Invest in capacity building, exchange visits, practical tools and quality data;
- Develop an integrated, multi-faceted strategy and action plan - a clear roadmap helps track progress;
- Policy progress depends on political will and long-term government commitment: long-term engagement is essential;
- Always engage Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities from the outset as genuine partners.
Left: Hugo Costa, Director of Business & Biodiversity Impact at WCS presenting at EBNS 2025 in Helsinki
Stefanie Lang, Executive Director of the Legacy Landscapes Fund (LLF), presented the unique value of LLF, which provides long-term funding for nature, climate, and people. LLF leverages international public and private funding with the aim to finance a diverse portfolio of 30+ outstanding protected and conserved areas by 2030, and ensures systematic integration of environmental, social, and human rights standards into conservation management. LLF strives to build a global community for learning, innovation, and conservation solutions. WCS is proud to be one of the LLF partners. To learn more about LLF, click here.
Left: Speakers at the session on “Collaboration for Nature”. Right: the audience at EBNS 2025 in Helsinki
A big thank you to the organisers — the European Commission, the European Business & Biodiversity Platform, and SITRA — for bringing together such a dynamic community. Now, more than ever, we need to turn these discussions into concrete action for nature and people.
