Why business as usual is no longer an option
On the 22nd of May, we collectively celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity to raise understanding and awareness on issues of biodiversity. By introducing this global commemorative day, the United Nations aims to spread the word about the dependency of our food systems, nutrition, and health on good biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. Today, biodiversity is gaining ground as a central theme on the global sustainability agenda, and therefore, almost every organization will eventually have to do its necessary part.
At the World Economic Forum in 2017, Johan Rockström stated that ‘in just five decades, we have transitioned from being a small world on a big planet to a big world on a small planet’. This means that we are already disturbing the stability of the earth’s life support systems. In essence, it has become evident that we have affected ecosystems to such an extent that climate change occurs more rapidly than ever before. This, in turn, increases the risk of irreversible harm to animal populations, including their genetic diversity and the ecosystems they reside in. The main divers of these changes are our insatiable demand for food, water, and natural resources. For now, these drivers will remain at a stable level, not declining nor increasing in intensity. A possible mass extinction can be prevented if we succeed in our efforts to protect our forests and lands, enhance habitats and restore the balance between ecosystems.
Do you ever wonder how to do it? Well, in October, the COP15 conference will be held in Kunming, China. According to China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the aim of this conference is to further negotiate and work towards an ambitious, concrete post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The conference departs from the fact that urgent policy action is needed in order to transform economic, social, and financial models. If we succeed, we may be able to stabilize the trends leading to mass biodiversity loss by 2030.
As described, biodiversity is increasingly recognized as a central theme for future policy, and therefore, it is more than likely that this framework will be translated into international, national, and local legislation. This means that being informed on this topic is of the utmost importance to any organization, from commercial businesses to NGOs, as it will make them “future-proof”.
We at TheRockGroup are active in the transition to a just and sustainable society and biodiversity is at the very core of this ideal. Therefore, we are determined to help organizations understand how to integrate biodiversity into their business activities. We enable them to see how much their business is connected to biodiversity and the ecosystems that depend most on the sector they operate in. There are sectors that have a direct impact on one or more drivers for the extinction of species and ecosystem degradation. There are also sectors where the impact is indirect. Either way, integrating biodiversity into your business starts with understanding where you can make a positive contribution to supporting the earth’s ecosystems.
Do you want to start making a positive impact on biodiversity, and would you like to know what TheRockGroup could do for you? Do the QuickScan on our website, or contact one of our experts on biodiversity Lucas Steinbusch (lucas.steinbusch@therockgroup.biz) or Sarah Gane (sarah.gane@therockgroup.biz).
Written by:
Lucas Steinbusch, consultant at TheRockGroup
