Key Messages 1.


The scale of global environmental challenges is unprecedented


Business leaders know that economic activity depends on healthy people, resilient and equal societies, productive ecosystems and a stable climate, but business and society today face mounting challenges, including:


— Climate change resulting in droughts, floods and devastating fires impacting commerce and daily life; — Environmentally unsustainable food production contributing to 70 per cent of global biodiversity loss; — Mounting urban waste with 7-10 billion tons generated globally each year and many cities lacking safe and environmentally-sound waste management systems;


— Emerging zoonotic diseases like COVID-19 show the vulnerabilities of these systems and the need for strengthened global resilience and reduced inequalities including gender inequality.


2. Business transformation is critical and possible


Because of the scale of the challenge, time is of the essence, and business is fundamental to the solution. But business planning needs to align with a nature positive and gender equality mission that uses only renewable energy, restores biodiversity, aims for gender equal employment practices and moves towards a fully circular economy. Given the environmental challenges we face, these are the expected transformations that will need to happen in the next 30 years:


— Half of all greenhouse gas emissions need to be eliminated globally by 2030 with near zero emissions achieved by 2050. This implies at least an 80 per cent reduction in fossil fuel use by 2050.


— To end global hunger by 2050, we must produce 50 per cent more food. Meanwhile, the environmental impact and biodiversity loss of that food production must decrease by two-thirds to protect human and planetary health.


— Waste streams like single-use plastics will need to be eliminated to restore the world’s oceans. Other pollution will need to be drastically reduced to protect nature and human health. This implies the creation of a near-fully-circular economy by 2050.


— To support gender equality in the circular economy and environmental governance, so as to fulfill by 2030 the goal of achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities.


3. Shifting towards a Nature Positive approach is the best way for business to transform


Nature Positive Economic business models that are transformative and regenerative while remaining profitable will require:


— Disruption from within: Business leaders must transform themselves to align to this new reality. This means setting transformational goals to achieve success that includes the health and well-being of people and nature.


— Setting a nature positive purpose and strategy: Business leaders need to change their core business assumptions to align with a nature positive approach. This includes asking whether the natural and social systems businesses depend on are healthy and resilient, while defining the business role in the broader global transformation.


— Collective Action: Businesses can drive transformation from within, but it is easier when their neighbors and colleagues do so as well. This means engaging with policymakers, leaders from other business sectors and consumers.


— Coherence of business targets and goals: Targets and goals must be aligned to the ambitious environmental goals we need to achieve, and they must be based on scientific evidence and indicators.


— There is no incentive like survival: Smart businesses will profit from this transformative change by proactively changing the way they conduct business.


— The journey is as important as the destination: Transformational change will not happen overnight, but commitment, long-term vision, entrepreneurship and innovation will be key.


— You are not alone: Transformation towards a Nature Positive Economy is already underway, through new technologies like solar and wind power, bio-based materials and electric mobility. These technologies are now mature and have pushed the global conversation from cleaning up environmental pollution to addressing the systemic risks of continuing on the path we are on and creating profit through transformative change.


5 Adapt to Survive: Business transformation in a time of uncertainty


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