Nature loss, climate change, and pollution are all part of the same global crisis and have real-world consequences such as extreme weather events, rising food prices, and decreasing GDP. As a result, awareness in the business world has increased, and the private sector’s involvement is critical to protecting and restoring nature and supporting sustainability goals. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework recognizes the need for a comprehensive approach involving all sectors of society to address the global biodiversity crisis.
Elizabeth Maluma Murema, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), emphasizes the dire consequences of inaction and the strength of collective action. Murema calls on governments, businesses, and individuals to come together to protect the planet’s ecosystems and inspire avenues of conservation, restoration, and sustainable practice for a future where nature thrives, and humanity coexists harmoniously with the environment.
Despite increased awareness of biodiversity and its importance, progress in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use has been slow due to a lack of integration into national policy priorities. As climate change worsens, nature loss, pollution, and climate change are all interconnected, endangering species, livelihoods, and ecosystems. The destruction of nature is expected to reduce gross domestic product by $2.7 trillion annually by 2030, disproportionately impacting low-income countries.
To build consensus and create a shared understanding of the importance of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework, the value of nature must be understood by everyone from political leaders and businessmen to society as a whole. Mainstreaming nature in policy, regulation, economic decisions, and consumer choice is crucial, and education is necessary for policy leaders, businesses, investors, and consumers to make informed decisions that prioritize nature and sustainability over short-term gains.
Incorporating biodiversity considerations into net-zero plans is essential to ensure alignment between the two agendas, and a net-zero plan should consider how an organization interacts with nature. Nature is an asset, and loss of nature is a threat to net-zero plans in terms of mitigation and adaptation. Governments must accompany their commitments with action, such as implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and mobilizing foreign aid for nature development to seek to reach levels of $20 billion per year.