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The business case for biodiversity

top > News > 22 February 07

Ms Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Director General of IUCN and Mr Markus Akermann, CEO of Holcim Ltd

22 February 2007, Brussels, Belgium Slowly but surely, conservation of biodiversity is becoming profitable. A recent study by WWF and PriceWaterhouseCoopers analyzes the viability of investments in privately run, profit-orientated nature conservation projects worldwide. The study finds ecotourism and sustainable forestry stand out as fields of positive return on investment. A number of Countdown 2010 partners contribute in these areas to the conservation of biodiversity.

The European Commission has started an initiative on Business and Biodiversity. With stopping the loss of biodiversity as a political priority for the EU, Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas explains: “The business community is a key partner in meeting the 2010 biodiversity target and needs to be actively engaged.” He considers eco-labeling and eco-management as possible ways to inspire and encourage businesses to improve their biodiversity performance and gain recognition for their efforts. Consequently, business has a strong financial interest in supporting environmental goals.

The environment can less and less be portrayed as an economic constraint. It is becoming an economic imperative.
Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director

Countdown 2010 has championed the engagement between the business and the biodiversity community. Every eighth partner of the initiative comes from the private sector. By signing the Countdown 2010 declaration, they agree to support the 2010 biodiversity target, encourage decision makers to take action and commit to reducing biodiversity loss in their own business operations.

Through this partnership, PANParks Foundation has committed to contract several local tourism business in each of its certified parks in the wildest places of Europe. Raising awareness is one of the main goals of PAN Parks, not only to receive institutional resources and investment, but to enhance pride in such jewels of our environment. Promoting Countdown 2010 will be a significant aspect of their aim to increase public awareness on the value of nature conservation and the share of sustainable tourism in Europe.

The Austrian Federal Forests Enterprise (Österreichische Bundesforste – ÖBf), another partner of Countdown 2010, has adopted a five year Biodiversity Programme. Each year will focus on improving the management of a certain area, such as mountain ecosystems, forests with old trees and water ecosystems. The company also strives to raise public awareness and mobilize action to reach the 2010 biodiversity target.

All Countdown 2010 Business Partners

- Business -

Number of partners: 57