The private sector is a major driver of change and has real power to lead. Early adopters can influence entire industries to adopt environmental best practices, promote investment in sustainable economic endeavours and businesses that conserve biodiversity, and communicate the value and importance of conservation to consumers and the general public.
For more than 15 years, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has worked on the mitigation of impacts from industry and infrastructure, working closely with governments on the development of and application policy. We are supporting businesses and the private sector to roll out best practices to ensure the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services, for example through the COMBO program funded by AFD and FFEM.
WCS’s science provides technical leadership for decision-making in development planning, assuring alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and initiatives such as the Science Based Targets Network. Science outputs such as the Forest Landscape Integrity Index and the Critical Ecosystem Area metric provide accessible data and tools for managing the drivers of biodiversity loss.
WCS’s global programme in 50+ countries and its technical expertise is helping business refocus towards nature positive actions. Engagement with business and investors to reverse the global loss of biodiversity and aim for positive biodiversity outcomes from development. This approach helps us rethink and reset our relationship with nature to transform our economic models and markets.
WCS hosts the Conservation Finance Alliance secretariat, the leading professional association for conservation finance experts and practitioners around the world, working with international partners, from banks to government to philanthropy, to achieve sustainable finance for nature.
The WCS EU Office is an active member of the EU Business & Biodiversity (B&B) Platform, which provides a forum for dialogue and policy interface to discuss the links between business and biodiversity, and engages in the European Business Nature Summits (EBNS). WCS EU's Arnaud Goessens, Associate Director of EU Policy, is a Member of the EU B&B Advisory Board.
For more information about WCS’s work with the private sector, please click here.
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2022
Finance and Biodiversity - Overview of initiatives
European Business Nature Summit
European Development Days
2021
COP26 in Glasgow
European Development Days
2020
Finance in Common Summit