Sydney, Australia: The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia will be an Observer Delegate at the UN Biodiversity Conference, or COP15, in Canada, where governments will attempt to reach agreement on new goals for the next decade to address the ongoing decline in biodiversity.
The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity will held in Montreal from 7-19 December 2022.
According to the World Economic Forum, over half the world’s total GDP – US$44 trillion – is moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services and, as a result, exposed to risks from nature loss. A nature-based transition could create US$10 trillion in business opportunity and create 395 million jobs by 2030.
"Businesses must engage and demonstrate support for an ambitious and actionable agreement at COP15. Business played a crucial role in the adoption of the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, not only by making voluntary climate commitments before the conference but also by being present and active in the lead up to and at the conference itself,” said Andrew Petersen, CEO of BCSD Australia.
Petersen will be joined in Montreal by business leaders from National Australia Bank, Forico – Tasmania’s largest private forest manager - and IDEEA Group, which provides natural capital strategic and advisory services.
“Thousands of businesses in Australia are already taking action for nature, but it’s not enough. We are calling for governments to adopt policies now to reverse nature loss and create a level playing field unlocking new business opportunities. An ambitious agreement with clear and implementable targets is essential to scale and speed up efforts towards an economy that respects the limits of the planet," said Petersen.
BCSD Australia will broadcast a daily online program live from Montreal from 7-17 December. G’day Montreal will include guests from Australia and around the world, who will share their views on the negotiations. The program will be held at 9:00am AEDT. You can register here.
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About BCSD Australia
BSCD Australia is an Australian coalition of over 70 private and public organisations advocating for progress on sustainable development. Its mission is to be a catalyst for innovation and sustainable growth in a world where resources are increasingly limited. The Council provides a platform for companies to share experiences and best practices on sustainable development issues and advocate for their implementation, working with governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organisations.
BCSD Australia’s members include leading Australian businesses, from all sectors, who share a commitment to economic, environmental, and social development, public sector enterprises institutions, business and industry non-government organisations and community organisations, which in turn represent more than 100,000 Australian employees.