Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, the Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and former Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, underscores the importance of nature conservation and restoration for businesses. With the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework approved at COP15, there is an increased global recognition of nature’s value. Mrema states, “Today, approximately 50% of the world’s economic value depends on natural resources, and this has spurred widespread awareness within the corporate sector on the importance of biodiversity protection.”
The Cost and Value of Action
Amid increasingly frequent extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves, Mrema warns that inaction will lead to even more severe social and economic consequences. She points out that climate change and the biodiversity crisis are intertwined, resulting in impacts such as rising food prices and declines in GDP. She emphasises, “The health of ecosystems is the foundation of our economic stability, and investing in nature conservation can foster resilience and create long-term economic benefits.”
Integrating Nature into Net Zero Strategies: Challenges and Future Prospects
Mrema mentions that, to incorporate nature conservation within net zero targets, governments and businesses must reassess financial policies to redirect funds toward ecological restoration projects. She argues that nature conservation should be embedded within financial decision-making processes, rather than left solely to sustainability departments. “Protecting nature isn’t just an issue for environmental departments; it’s a shared responsibility across our policy and economic systems.”
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