15 Businesses Leading the Way for Biodiversity and Target 15 Implementation

The importance of this target lies in the intricate relationship between biodiversity and human well-being. Biodiversity plays a crucial role in providing food, water security, and climate resilience. Its loss threatens the delivery of these benefits, posing serious risks to global development.

Corporate sustainability is intrinsically linked with Target 15. Businesses rely on nature for raw materials, water, and climate regulation, making them direct stakeholders in biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, consumers and investors are increasingly drawn to companies that prioritize sustainability, making it a strategic business imperative.

By aligning their strategies with Target 15, corporations can contribute to global biodiversity conservation, ensuring the sustainable use of resources, and enhancing their own long-term viability. This reflects a profound shift towards recognizing the value of biodiversity, not only for its intrinsic worth, but also for its critical role in supporting sustainable economies and societies.

For most businesses the successful implementation of Target 15 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework will be a journey and will take time to put all the necessary measures and processes in place to achieve this. There are already a number of businesses across a range of sectors that have taken proactive steps to assess their impacts on biodiversity, reduce negative impacts, and promote sustainable patterns of production. All critical steps necessary to deliver against Target 15.

The Nature Conservancy is a non-profit organization that works to protect nature and conserve biodiversity. The organization has over 1 million members and works in more than 70 countries. The Nature Conservancy has a number of programs that work to protect biodiversity, including:

• The Climate Change Program: The Nature Conservancy works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
• The Forest Program: The Nature Conservancy works to protect forests and promote sustainable forest management.
• The Marine Program: The Nature Conservancy works to protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable fishing practices.
• The Google Conservation Research Grants Program: The Google Conservation Research Grants Program provides funding for research that helps to protect biodiversity.

Google is a technology company that has committed to reducing its environmental impact. The company has a number of programs that work to protect biodiversity, including:

• The Google Green Program: The Google Green Program works to reduce the company's environmental impact by reducing energy consumption, water usage, and waste production.
• The Google Earth Engine: The Google Earth Engine is a cloud-based platform that provides data and tools for monitoring and understanding the Earth's environment.
• The Google Conservation Research Grants Program: The Google Conservation Research Grants Program provides funding for research that helps to protect biodiversity.

Unilever is a global consumer goods company that has made significant commitments to reduce its environmental impact, including its impact on biodiversity. In 2019, Unilever announced that it would publish a list of all the suppliers that provide the company with palm oil, soy, paper, and other commodities. This move was aimed at increasing transparency in the company's supply chains and promoting sustainable sourcing practices. Unilever has also committed to sourcing 100% of its agricultural raw materials sustainably by 2025.

Danone is a French multinational food-products corporation that has made significant commitments to reduce its impact on biodiversity. In 2019, Danone announced that it would launch a biodiversity scorecard to assess the impact of its operations on biodiversity. The scorecard would cover the entire value chain, from sourcing to production and distribution. They have set targets to improve the environmental impact of their agricultural supply chain, promoting regenerative agriculture and sustainable sourcing.

GSK have committed to positive biodiversity at GSK-owned sites by 2030, with all sites to have biodiversity action plans in place by 2025 and investment in programmes that improve habitats, protect species and improve soil or water quality. To address biodiversity in their supply chain, their target is that 100% of agricultural, forestry and marine-derived materials will be sustainably sourced and deforestation-free by 2030. They are also investing in the protection and restoration of land use across and beyond our value chain, in a way that also contributes to carbon removal and water basin restoration.

Kering is a global luxury goods company that has made significant commitments to reduce its impact on biodiversity. The company has developed a biodiversity strategy that aims to reduce its impact on ecosystems and promote sustainable practices in its supply chains. Kering has also committed to sourcing 100% of its leather from sustainable sources by 2025 and has made significant investments in research and development to promote sustainable practices in the fashion industry.

Coca-Cola is a beverage company that has committed to protecting biodiversity. The company has a number of programs that work to protect biodiversity, including:

The Water Stewardship Program: The Water Stewardship Program works to protect water resources and promote sustainable water management.

The Sustainable Agriculture Program: The Sustainable Agriculture Program works to promote sustainable agricultural practices that protect biodiversity.

The Forest Program: The Forest Program works to protect forests and promote sustainable forest management.

Nike is a sportswear company that has committed to protecting biodiversity. The company has a number of programs that work to protect biodiversity, including:

The Nike Sustainable Apparel Coalition: The Nike Sustainable Apparel Coalition is a partnership of companies that work to develop sustainable materials and practices for the apparel industry.

The Nike Better World Fund: The Nike Better World Fund provides funding for projects that protect the environment and promote social equity.

The Nike Conservation Research Grants Program: The Nike Conservation Research Grants Program provides funding for research that helps to protect biodiversity.

Ben & Jerry's is an ice cream company that has committed to protecting biodiversity. The company has a number of programs that work to protect biodiversity, including:

The Ben & Jerry's Rainforest Crunch Campaign: The Rainforest Crunch Campaign raises awareness about the importance of protecting rainforests.

The Ben & Jerry's Fair Trade Program: The Fair Trade Program ensures that farmers receive fair prices for their products.

The Ben & Jerry's Social Justice Fund: The Social Justice Fund provides funding for projects that promote social justice.

IKEA is a furniture company that has committed to protecting biodiversity. The company has a number of programs that work to protect biodiversity, including:

• The IKEA Forest Positive Plan: The IKEA Forest Positive Plan is a commitment to plant 1 billion trees by 2030.
• The IKEA Water Stewardship Program: The IKEA Water Stewardship Program works to reduce the company's water consumption and protect water resources.
• The IKEA Sustainable Materials Program: The IKEA Sustainable Materials Program works to develop and use sustainable materials.

Johnson & Johnson is a health care company that has committed to protecting biodiversity. The company has a number of programs that work to protect biodiversity, including:

• The Johnson & Johnson Sustainable Development Goals: The Johnson & Johnson Sustainable Development Goals include a commitment to protect biodiversity.
• The Johnson & Johnson Biodiversity Action Plan: The Johnson & Johnson Biodiversity Action Plan outlines the company's specific actions to protect biodiversity.
• The Johnson & Johnson Global Biodiversity Partnership: The Johnson & Johnson Global Biodiversity Partnership works to collaborate with other organizations to protect biodiversity.

PepsiCo is a food and beverage company that has committed to protecting biodiversity. The company has a number of programs that work to protect biodiversity, including:

• The PepsiCo Sustainable Agriculture Program: The PepsiCo Sustainable Agriculture Program works to promote sustainable agricultural practices that protect biodiversity.
• The PepsiCo Water Stewardship Program: The PepsiCo Water Stewardship Program works to protect water resources.
• The PepsiCo Forest Program: The PepsiCo Forest Program works to protect forests.

The Body Shop is a cosmetics company that has committed to protecting biodiversity. The company has a number of programs that work to protect biodiversity, including:

• The Body Shop Foundation: The Body Shop Foundation provides funding for projects that protect the environment and promote social justice.
• The Body Shop Community Trade Program: The Community Trade Program works to create fair and sustainable trade relationships with communities around the world.

Walmart is a retail company that has committed to protecting biodiversity. The company has a number of programs that work to protect biodiversity, including:

• The Walmart Sustainability Program: The Walmart Sustainability Program works to reduce the company's environmental impact.
• The Walmart Water Stewardship Program: The Walmart Water Stewardship Program works to protect water resources.
• The Walmart Forest Program: The Walmart Forest Program works to protect forests.

Boeing's Pollinator Prairie is a great example of how a company can make a positive impact on the environment. The project is helping to restore native habitats, support pollinator populations, and educate the public about the importance of all creatures. Galago by Ramboll contributed to this project. Read the full story here.

These are just a few examples. These businesses demonstrate the level of ambition required to bend the curve. The focus should now be on delivering against commitment to protect nature and biodiversity. Showing that it is possible to deliver sustainable practices is important. If your organisation is on its way to a sustainable future, Galago by Ramboll can be your partner when it comes to sustainable land management and biodiversity mapping, monitoring and restoration.