A cohort of more than 130 major companies and financial institutions, including Nestlé, Danone, and Unilever, have urged global leaders to adopt and enforce policies to “halt and reverse nature loss this decade.” This call to action is made under the Business for Nature organization.
The statement, which includes the Biodiversity Plan, precedes the upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference scheduled from October 21 to November 1, 2024, in Cali, Colombia.
Among the five recommendations outlined in the statement are policies to ensure that business and financial entities protect and restore ecosystems, sustainable resource management to reduce environmental impacts, and the integration of nature in decision-making processes.
The group also advocates for aligning financial flows towards a nature-positive, net zero, and equitable economy, as well as endorsing ambitious global agreements to address nature loss challenges.
Laurent Freixe, CEO of Nestlé in Latin America, emphasized the importance of nature, stating, “Colombia is home to 10% of the planet’s biodiversity. Nature loss poses a critical risk that our business cannot ignore.
In support of this cause, Nestlé has committed to sourcing 50% of its key ingredients from farmers practicing regenerative agriculture by 2030. The company has already invested SFr1.2 billion in initiatives focused on biodiversity, soil conservation, and water cycle regeneration.
Business for Nature CEO, Eva Zabey, highlighted the need for collaborative efforts between governments and private sectors to drive systemic change towards a nature-positive, net zero, and equitable economy.
In a companion report, Business for Nature expanded on the recommendations with 20 specific policy demands, including subsidy and tax reform, banning deep-sea mining, adopting a Global Plastics Treaty, and prohibiting land conversion in key protected areas.
Last year, Nestlé, Unilever, and PepsiCo agreed to a framework for transitioning to regenerative agriculture through the Regenerating Together project by the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform.
As the call for action gains momentum, the food and beverage industry is witnessing a shift towards sustainable practices and greater environmental responsibility. With a growing focus on regenerative agriculture, businesses are aligning their operations with nature-positive goals, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
