Everyone on the planet is dependent on ecosystem services, from the food we eat to the water we drink and the air we breathe. Yet, a triple planetary crisis - that of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution - is raging. Due to human activities, six out of the nine planetary boundaries have already been transgressed, leading to an unprecedented rate of ecosystem deterioration and putting 1 million species at risk of extinction. Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse now rank among the top 5 business risks. Humanity is waking up to this problem. In the words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, “we must end the merciless, relentless, and senseless war on nature”. 

The Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) sets a clear path to a world living in harmony with nature by 2050, with specific expectations for business. Companies need to transform their business models, starting with assessing their impacts and dependencies on nature, and implementing credible nature strategies that will provide co-benefits for climate, biodiversity and society. This transformation could create $10.1 trillion of annual business opportunities and 395 million jobs by 2030.

In partnership with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center, the UN Global Compact Think Lab on Biodiversity and Nature will contribute to holistic approaches for business to tackle the triple planetary crisis, and help deliver strong corporate thought leadership and policy recommendations in the lead up to the Biodiversity COP16 and Climate COP29. 

Objectives

1. Define the narrative, ambition and key recommendations of the UN Global Compact to business and policymakers on nature and biodiversity.
2. Provide clarity through mapping existing initiatives, key resources and tools and identify current best practices, key challenges and policy needs linked to corporate nature and biodiversity action to prepare and mobilize companies to submit nature strategies by COP16. 
3. Shape business thought leadership and provide innovative solutions and guidance on critical areas linked to nature and biodiversity, such as the human rights-nature nexus.
4. Increase the uptake of learnings and deliverables across sectors and regions through the development of academy sessions, peer-learning groups and accelerators. 

Think Labs at the UN Global Compact help shape thought leadership on critical sustainability issues. They provide platforms for 20+ leading UN Global Compact participant companies from diverse sectors and geographies to engage in thought leadership and ramp up ambition on a particular topic. Think labs are time-bound (12 to 18 months) and by invitation only. 

In collaboration with