Montreal, Canada: The Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSD) Australia welcomes the historic Kunming - Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The new global deal for nature is a significant break from its predecessor (Aichi) that was largely not followed.
COP15 puts robust government plans and business accountability at its heart - all parts of our economy are involved - no one is exempt.
The UN Biodiversity COP15 in Montreal offered a once-in-a-decade opportunity to agree a ‘Paris-style’ agreement for nature. This is an historic outcome that has a global agreement that rallies all partners around a goal of halting and reversing biodiversity loss.
Businesses need political certainty to invest and change their business models.
“The presence of the business and finance sectors at COP 15 has been unprecedented, calling for alignment of financial flows and mandatory disclosure,” said Andrew Petersen, CEO of BCSD Australia.
“Companies have both an impact and a dependency on nature which is why they have contributed in such numbers at this COP, to drive a nature-positive future that protects forests from deforestation, regenerates agricultural systems, restores the landscapes surrounding them, and preserves water.”
“Preserving and restoring nature may be the most profitable and valuable investment the world ever makes. This decision is just the start as we work collectively to ensure a nature positive future. From a business perspective, individual companies and financial institutions must adopt strategies across all their spheres of influence to contribute to the shared goal of a nature positive planet by 2030.”
BCSD Australia was the only Australian business organisation on the ground at the UN negotiations on biodiversity, and its engagement at COP15 included:
Hosting a business delegation to the COP, as part of the 1,000 business leaders’ delegation that attended. In contrast, 50 business leaders attended COP14 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in 2018.
Though the leadership of Business for Nature, participation in negotiations, particularly on mandatory disclosure (Target 15) to the Parties including Australia.
Joining with World Business Council for Sustainable Development to highlight progressive action on biodiversity at key Side Events.
Convening a Private Finance Sector Roundtable on how to mobilise the role of the private finance sector, post GBF. This included 20 representations from key international banks and governments.
Representing Australian business interests at a key COP2COP2 Resource Mobilisation Roundtable to build linkages between the UNFCCC and UNCBD processes and modalities.
Briefing Australian Parliamentarians at the negotiations, on the progressive business role and position at the COP.
Making key interventions on the Australian business experience during the 4-day Taskforce for Nature-related Finance Disclosure Data Labs, especially on Finance, Agriculture, and Mining and Extractive Resources; and
Reporting to an Australian and international business audience via an online webinar, called ‘Gday Montreal, between 7 - 17 December. All recordings are available on our YouTube channel.
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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.