Nature Positive at the IUCN World Conservation Congress

In under a month’s time, thousands of leaders and decision makers from governments, civil society, indigenous peoples, businesses, and academia will come together for the IUCN World Conservation Congress.  This global conservation event is where priorities for conservation and sustainable development actions will be identified.

Like so many other events, the Covid-19 pandemic led to the postponement of the Congress. Now taking place in early September in Marseille, France, it will be the first large-scale hybrid conservation event.  The Congress will fuse in-person and virtual events to ensure that fruitful discussions and concrete actions are made, regardless of any travel restrictions. 

The upcoming Congress is of particular importance, as it will inform the upcoming Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) and the expected release of the post-2020 biodiversity strategy. It will shape this framework to ensure that tangible changes will be achieved in halting biodiversity loss and preserving the future of our world. Ensuring strong protection of our biosphere also paves the way for accelerated progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which will secure a thriving and equitable future for all and leave a positive environmental legacy. 

Dr Ros Kennerley, who is a Principal Environmental Consultant at Nature Positive, will be attending the congress. Ros has been a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) for many years in her role as a Specialist Group Co-Chair.  She is looking forward to taking part in many of the sessions, including those within the theme of ‘Leveraging economic and financial systems for sustainability’.

The IUCN World Conservation Congress will bring together a diverse group of voices with the potential to drive critical action on halting biodiversity loss.

How are businesses involved?

The biodiversity crisis affects everybody. The IUCN World Conservation Congress recognises that it cannot be addressed by any one country, or group of people. Everyone must be part of the solution, and businesses have a pivotal role to play.  

The Congress aims to create a fusion of stakeholders, perspectives, and voices where differences and disputes are put aside so that international, multistakeholder collaboration can be streamlined to address the ecological crises our planet is facing. This will require engaging every part of society when acknowledging and fairly distributing both the responsibilities and the benefits of biodiversity conservation. 

This blending of scientific and technical experts with political and business leaders will spark debates and innovation surrounding the need and opportunities that arise from protecting and restoring the natural world, such as embracing Nature-based Solutions (NbS).  

The IUCN World Conservation Congress is a landmark event in determining the global response to the biodiversity crisis. Nature Positive is proud to be taking part. If you are a business and want to find out more about how you can help biodiversity and leave a positive environmental legacy, please get in touch with Nature Positive.