Geneva, 2 September 2021 – WBCSD is taking part in the IUCN World Conservation Congress from 3-11 September 2021 in Marseille, France, to support the role of the Congress in shaping the global conservation agenda. As the only international business association member of IUCN, we will highlight the contributions that business can make to a nature-positive, net-zero equitable world. Together with WBCSD members and partners, we are working towards a strong voice of business leadership at the Congress.
The event is a key milestone before pivotal UN conferences later this year on climate (COP26, Glasgow, UK) and biodiversity (COP15, Kunming, China), the IUCN Congress will inform new global targets and action towards a sustainable, healthy future for people and nature.
Our world faces unprecedented challenges in the form of a climate emergency, nature in crisis and mounting inequality. Global progress on tackling these issues remains significantly off track and key tipping points are now being reached. The IUCN Congress will showcase the latest conservation initiatives, policies and tools that can help business achieve their biodiversity and climate targets in response to these challenges.
As we raise the bar on understanding what "nature positive" means, we see an increasing number of companies moving beyond risk management and sustainable production strategies and now embracing the opportunities from regenerative forms of business. This mindset will be needed to ensure that we halt nature loss and that the world's ecosystems are restored, resilient, and adequately protected.
Tomorrow, the IUCN CEO Summit, from 13:00-14:30 CEST, will focus on commitments and actions to move towards a nature-positive future. WBCSD’s President and CEO Peter Bakker will moderate a panel on what "nature positive" means to the private sector and how business can contribute to a nature-positive, net-zero and equitable world. The CEO Summit session will be available in livestream here. CEOs are then invited to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Congress, 16:45-18:45 CEST, hosted by the French government in the presence of President Macron.
WBCSD will co-host seven sessions during the Congress, from natural capital policies to nature-positive value-chains, soil health, circular economy and true values of food. A number of WBCSD members and partners will also be present, including Business for Nature, One Planet Business for Biodiversity, We Value Nature.
The following WBCSD members have confirmed in-person and virtual attendance: Arup, Bayer, BP, Deloitte Australia, EDF, Enel, Engie, Holcim, Kering, Nestlé, Shell, TotalEnergies, South Pole, StoraEnso, Suez Environnement, Symrise, Syngenta, Veolia.
