The Business Case for Biodiversity
Business is all about survival. In order International institutions have acknowledged
to survive, businesses need to the need to engage with business on biodiversity
generate profits. But sustainable issues. The European Commission’s Biodiversity
development requires good Communication called for a partnership on business
environmental performance as and biodiversity, while the Convention on Biological
well as good social performance. Diversity asks the private sector to engage in the
Dealing with environmental issues implementation of the Convention. Countdown 2010
goes far beyond managing risks. thus supports the Portuguese-EU Initiative on Business Countdown 2010 and the private sector
Companies with strong environmental and Biodiversity.
performance can develop this into a Governments alone will not reach the 2010 biodiversity
competitive advantage: they perform target. All sectors of society will have to contribute in
better on the stock market, manage their order to reduce biodiversity loss by 2010 and beyond.
resources more efficiently, and provide
The 2010 biodiversity target
Countdown 2010 is a strong network of companies,
better products and services. Sharing civil society organizations and government institutions
Biodiversity, or the variety of life and natural systems,
responsibility and taking action for working together towards the 2010 biodiversity target.
is disappearing all across the globe faster than ever
biodiversity is not about charity, it is about Each partner commits to additional efforts to tackle the
before. This loss of biodiversity represents a business
survival. Healthy ecosystems support healthy people, causes of biodiversity loss.
risk - and a loss of quality of life for many.
sustainable companies, sound economies and hence
sustainable development.
“As an internationally operating forest enterprise it is an
In 2002, the international community decided to
obligation for us to use our resources in a sustainable manner.
address the biodiversity crisis with increased vigour. Thus we support Countdown 2010 with numerous projects such
Not all businesses are alike. For the natural resource
They thus committed “to achieve, by 2010, a significant as promoting dead wood deposits, protecting longhorn beetles and
companies – forestry, fisheries, water, mining, and
reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss [...] as a woodgrouses and connecting habitats in our forests.“
oil and gas – biodiversity is mostly about ecosystem
contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of — Georg Erlacher, Board Director, Österreichische Bundesforste
management. They must demonstrate that they
all life on earth”. This 2010 biodiversity target followed
know how to extract the resource with the smallest
the example of the member states of the European
possible impact on biodiversity. For those extracting
Union who in 2001 committed to halt biodiversity loss
non-renewable resources, the issue involves using Joining Countdown 2010 is easy:
by 2010.
best environmental management practices. Other
1. Commit to specific action that help your company
manufacturers can influence the site and resource-
deliver measurable results towards the 2010
efficiency of their operations – and the environmental Biodiversity’s contribution to Earth’s life support
biodiversity target.
impact of the end product. For most of the service systems and to poverty reduction has been recognized
industry, addressing biodiversity issues may be all at the highest levels. In 2006, the United Nations 2. Ask your board or executive director to sign the
about their reputation, but they also need to take into General Assembly decided to include the 2010 declaration including your specific commitment and
account the impact of their operations, for example biodiversity target in the Millennium Development Goals send the form to the Countdown 2010 Secretariat.
the tourism industry, or get to grips with environmental – as an intermediate step towards achieving eradicating 3. Report on your progress by 22 May each year
risks, for example in the case of financial services. extreme poverty by 2015. (International Day for Biodiversity).
Countdown 2010 Declaration Countdown 2010
BIODIVERSITY – THE WEB OF LIFE ON EARTH – IS ESSENTIAL TO THE QUALITY bi·o·di·ver·si·ty - the variety of all life and natural
OF HUMAN WELL-BEING, AND IT IS A CRUCIAL ELEMENT IN SUSTAINING THE processes on Earth, including diversity within species,
SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND SPIRITUAL DIMENSION OF ALL SOCIETIES WORLDWIDE.
between species and of ecosystems. Biodiversity
YET, BIODIVERSITY CONTINUES TO DECLINE. POLITICAL COMMITMENTS HAVE provides food and medicine, fresh air and clean water,
BEEN MADE TO STOP THIS TREND BY 2010. FURTHER STEPS NEED TO BE
TAKEN TO HONOUR THIS COMMITMENT AND TO TRANSLATE IT INTO ACTION.
protection from natural disasters and green spaces
for humans. Studies show that biodiversity is in grave
The Countdown 2010
We the undersigned will take every practical opportunity to:
Support the commitments to halt or significantly reduce the
danger from habitat loss, invasive species, pollution,
climate change and overexploitation.
Business Challenge
current rate of biodiversity loss by 2010, made by: Governments worldwide have promised to save
• World Environment Ministers in the Hague Ministerial biodiversity by 2010. While it is their responsibility to
Declaration of the Conference of Parties to the Convention achieve this, they will need the help of all stakeholders
on Biological Diversity in the Netherlands 2002; for this challenge.
• World Heads of State in the Plan of Implementation at the Countdown 2010 is a powerful network of active
United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development partners working together towards the 2010
in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002; biodiversity target. Each partner commits additional
• World Heads of State in the United Nations World Summit efforts to address biodiversity loss. The secretariat
Outcome in New York 2005; – hosted by the World Conservation Union (IUCN)
• a number of biodiversity related conventions and regional – facilitates and encourages action, promotes the
processes since 2001. importance of the 2010 biodiversity target and
Encourage decision makers at all levels, in both the public assesses progress towards 2010.
and the private sector, to contribute to these commitments
and to: 350+ Partners
• Governments and
• Increase public awareness and participation for biodiversity Government Agencies
conservation, including the promotion of exemplary • Local and Regional
Authorities
activities towards the 2010 biodiversity target;
• Businesses
• Better integrate biodiversity considerations into all relevant • Academic Institutions
sectors of public policy and economy; and Civil Society
Organizations Countd
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• Undertake serious efforts to adapt human activities to the from Asia and Oceania, 10
needs of natural systems; Africa, the Americas and Secreta
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Europe.
• Support the development of suitable monitoring and c/o IUC
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Commit ourselves to encourage and assist decision makers 1040 Bru idt
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and societies in achieving the 2010 biodiversity target, notably Belgium
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• Actively promoting Countdown 2010 to focus attention 0.net
and mobilise resources for achieving the 2010 biodiversity
target; SAVE BIO
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• Significantly reducing our own impact on biodiversity. Y