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A message from IUCN's Director of Business and Biodiversity Programme Gerard Bos          

As a busy 2019 comes to an end and the “super year” for  biodiversity beckons, it is time for short reflections, a festive time with friends and family, and an important moment to recharge our batteries for the next year’s sprint toward the decade-long marathon to reverse the loss of nature. 2019 has seen unprecedented mobilisation by business willing to address the biodiversity crisis and other societal challenges, such as climate change, and ramp-up nature-based solutions. An emergency call to action from business and policy makers is developing. With the support of the Business for Nature coalition, a first set of policy asks will be released at the World Economic Forum in January. Several key reports will be published in 2020 that will feed our action agenda. Also, this multi-faceted effort will be featured at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in June, and provide all actors with inspiration and courage to scale up action in the years to come. 
 
IUCN partners with new coalition 
 

IUCN has joined the Business for Nature coalition, which is bringing together influential organisations and forward-thinking businesses to help safeguard nature. World leaders have a unique opportunity in 2020 to forge an international agreement that will address global threats to biodiversity and the inextricable links to climate change. The coalition is building a united business voice, calling on governments to adopt a new deal for nature and people that will result in transformative policies and action. It also recognises the hundreds of businesses that have already made commitments through existing platforms and urges companies to join the Business for Nature community.  Read more.
 
Mobilising finance for conservation

How to generate private financing for conservation outcomes was the focus of the latest IUCN-PANORAMA webinar on business engagement held earlier this month. The webinar explored a range of topics, including: the role of private finance and efforts by the Coalition for Private Investment in Conservation (CPIC) with Frank Hawkins, Director of the IUCN Washington, DC, Office; lessons on mobilising green finance and connecting small conservation NGOs to international financial flows with Romie Goedicke from the IUCN National Committee of The Netherlands; and a case study on the shea value chain in Northern Ghana with Daryl Bosu of A Rocha Ghana. For more information, listen to the full webinar here or read a summary of the event here.
Valuing nature highlighted at Natural Capital Week in Madrid

Leading organisations, government officials and companies interested in natural capital, including many newcomers, convened in Madrid, Spain, in November to advance key political decisions on nature in 2020. The organisers collected business actions and commitments from participants that will contribute to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s Action Agenda for Nature and People. (See the online platform here.) Under the EC-backed We Value Nature intiaitive, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and IUCN teamed up to provide training to business representatives who wanted to increase their understanding of companies' impacts and dependencies on biodiversity, as well as the resources available to help them, such as the Natural Capital Protocol. Read more. 
 
Rio Doce Panel issue paper calls for more comprehensive approach to recovery 

In a recent  issue paper, the Rio Doce Panel  underscored the crucial need for a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the environmental impacts following the 2015 collapse of the Fundão tailings dam in Brazil, in order to effectively monitor and report on the recovery and rehabilitation efforts. According to the Panel, such analysis could signal potential threats to the recovery efforts underway as well as show where any additional measures or changes might be required. Furthermore, the Panel stated using an assessment framework could significantly improve the recovery programmes. Read more.
Thailand’s first business and biodiversity platform explores opportunities for collaboration 

The first 15 members of the new Thailand Bio-Diversity Network Alliance (B-DNA) platform recently held a workshop in Bangkok to design their workplan for 2020. The B-DNA platform plans to strengthen the private sector’s role in nature conservation in Thailand. In particular, the group will focus on demonstrating how biodiversity conservation can contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Hosted by IUCN, the B-DNA members plan to encourage companies to include plastic pollution and sustainable development measures in their business operations. Read more. 
 
Nature vs concrete, what should be done?

With over USD 60 trillion of new infrastructure planned in the next 20 years, how can nature thrive among the concrete, asks Sophus zu Ermgassen in this guest blog.

The UN SDGs outline humanity’s vision to deliver social and economic prosperity for all, without harming non-human life on Earth. As part of this vision, we have committed to rapidly expanding the world’s infrastructure (i.e. transport, energy, telecommunications and residential) networks, which can in the right circumstances be a key driver of economic development, poverty alleviation and prosperity. Read more.
 
Upcoming events
Business pioneers take action for nature in Switzerland 

The SwissBiz4Nature initiative, supported by IUCN, provides a unique framework for companies to  develop and implement biodiversity solutions within their repsective companies. The coalition's next workshop will take place on 17 March at IUCN's headquarters, where companies will agree an action plan to help them monitor and improve their biodiversity footprint as well as learn more about the uptake of best practices. Read more.
Registration now open for IUCN World Conservation Congress

The IUCN World Conservation Congress is where the world comes together to set priorities and drive conservation and sustainable development action. From 11-19 June 2020, thousands of IUCN Members and partners are expected to participate in the event, which includes a Members’ Assembly, Forum and Exhibition area, showcasing the latest conservation science and innovation. Check out the Congress website and register now.
Environment to top the agenda at 2020 World Economic Forum 

Addressing the urgent climate and environmental
challenges that are harming our ecology and
economy will be one of the main issues addressed at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters from 21-24 January. As part of the Business for Nature coalition, IUCN will call on world leaders to support a new deal for nature and people that will help unleash and empower business action. Read more.

Photo credits: A Rocha Ghana - shea nuts; Renovat Foundation - Rio Doce watershed; IUCN Asia - B-DNA workshop; IUCN/Chantal van Ham - green building.

For more information, visit the IUCN Business and Biodiversity Programme website or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn