High-level Roundtable: the 2010 business challenge
> 12 November 07
Jonathan Hutton, Director, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), chaired the High-level Roundtable: the 2010 business challenge held on Monday 12 November 2007, in Lisbon, at the High Level Conference on Business and Biodiversity. Discussions revolved around the themes of the four afternoon workshops: biodiversity-related responsibility schemes; business-related biodiversity assessments; markets for biodiversity goods and services; and business and biodiversity partnerships.
Hutton provoked the audience, saying that “we don’t rely on Corporate Social Responsibility to deal with pollution, human health or labour; so it might not be a good idea to have CSR deal with biodiversity issues”. He further noted that European corporations are calling for global standards and regulations, as opposed to European ones, to “create a level playing field”.
Panelist Vasco de Mello, CEO, Brisa Auto-Estradas de Portugal, SA, underscored the links between biodiversity conservation and economic development. He expanded on the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) network and the way it provides a platform to engage on environmental issues. He discussed Brisa’s environmental policies and stressed that “we do not protect what we do not value”.
Drawing attention to what Minister Marina Silva refers to as “ethical responsibility”, João Paolo Capobianco, Executive-Secretary of the Ministry of Environment of Brazil, noted that if no action is taken, “the future will hold only memories of good intentions”. He outlined the many commitments made on the road to 2010 and, noting the principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), called for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. He noted the value of in situ conservation and urged developing nations not to make the same mistakes as industrialized countries and jeopardize their natural assets.
Brigita Schmognerova, Vice-President, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), discussed the involvement of financial institutions in biodiversity issues, noting a lack of knowledge and understanding of EU directives or the CBD. She underscored the importance of: raising awareness of the impacts of biodiversity loss and the associated reputational risk; considering biodiversity a business opportunity; and regional variations in markets directly dependent on biodiversity. She noted the need for a “carrot and stick” approach to get businesses interested in biodiversity.
“Low yields are a recipe for deforestation and the destruction of fragile habitats,” said Martin Taylor, Chairman of the Board, Syngenta International AG. In a world of rising meat consumption and ever-growing populations, he noted the company’s drive to use technology to increase agricultural yields, whilst underscoring European concerns in this regard, saying “it is time for Europe to wake up”. He stressed that Syngenta’s seed business depends directly on biodiversity and that CSR was therefore not needed.
UK Environment Minister, Joan Ruddock intervened, calling for: the implementation of existing measures to safeguard biodiversity; innovation; and business participation. “The degradation of biodiversity is bad for business,” she said, noting that the UK is engaging with business partners on a biodiversity strategy. She noted the UK’s efforts to avoid illegal timber and to promote sustainable sources.
Other participants supported or opposed Syngenta’s approach to agricultural research, whilst others underscored the importance of an access and benefit (ABS) regime.
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This summary of the high-level roundtable of the High Level Conference on Business and Biodiversity that took place on Monday 12 November 2007, at Lisbon’s Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, is produced by the Countdown 2010 Secretariat.
