How can nature be preserved while being exploited or used? What drives a for-profit company to care about biodiversity? These questions were on the agenda of the Business@Biodiversity Sweden network meeting in December.
Arguments for biodiversity in the business model
The cross-industry business network was hosted by two international companies, both of which have set Biodiversity Net Gain targets in their business models: to leave nature and biodiversity in a better state.
The UK construction company Balfour Beatty (turnover €6.9 billion) was represented by Dr. Julia Baker, Biodiversity Technical Specialist. She made a compelling case for including biodiversity issues in the business model - including that we can no longer take for granted the free provision of natural capital and ecosystem services (such as land and water).
UPM first forest company to invest in Net Gain
UPM (EUR 10 billion turnover) is the first forest company in the world to launch the Biodiversity Net Gain target. The company's Sustainability Strategist Matti Majärvi participated in the networking event.
- The decision was based on an understanding that all bio-economy depends on biodiversity - without it there is no forest production, he explained.
He then presented to the network members UPM's strategies and actions to meet the 2030 targets.
About Business@Biodiversity Sweden
Business@Biodiversity Sweden is a cross-industry business network with the aim of making biodiversity, natural capital and ecosystem services part of member companies' business. The network is also a platform for meetings with decision-makers and for joint research and development. Enetjärn Natur, now Ecogain, has initiated and facilitates the network. Read more at Business@Biodiversity Sweden's website.
