biodiversity
BioDiversity program
As You Sow has launched a Biodiversity Program in response to increasing global concern about the systemic risks posed by biodiversity loss and looming ecosystem collapse. Biodiversity is the basis for the innumerable ecosystem services that communities, companies, and the world at large depend on – food security, fresh water, clean air, and climate resilience just to name a few. Unfortunately, these benefits go ignored or unseen, and at worst, can be directly threatened by business-as-usual corporate operations.
The time is ripe to recognize that biodiversity conservation is not just a moral imperative but also a sound business strategy for long-term profitability. Globally recognized standards are emerging for companies to measure, assess, and report their impacts on biodiversity and, more importantly, to take action to reduce that impact. The benefits of a functioning environment are at risk, and shareholders are raising the alarm.
Our Biodiversity Program focuses on sustainable ecosystems and engaging companies to slow, reduce, prevent, and reverse biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. We are urging companies to recognize the ecosystem services they depend on and take responsibility for the nature loss they drive. Businesses will be moved to increase the transparency and traceability of its supply chains while working to avoid and reduce its pressures on nature loss, and regenerating and restoring so that the state of nature can recover.
+ Drivers of Biodiversity Loss
Corporations and the economy at large depend on biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides. It is imperative that companies begin contributing to the protection, restoration and sustainable use of natural ecosystems. We will help companies understand their impacts and dependencies on biodiversity, and to measure, disclose, and set targets so they can address the drivers of biodiversity loss.
+ Targets for Freshwater Use
Freshwater use and freshwater pollution are two of the key pressures that are driving the loss of nature in ecosystems around the world. Companies impact freshwater through its use, specifically withdrawals from surface water bodies and groundwater, and pollution resulting from nitrogen and phosphorus. We will engage companies on setting quality and quantity targets for freshwater use.
+ Land Conversion
High level corporate action is needed to achieve nature goals in land systems – namely halting conversion of natural ecosystems, freeing up agricultural land for natural ecosystem restoration and improving the ecological integrity of landscapes, including working lands, to enhance ecosystem structure, composition and function. We will work with companies to achieve deforestation and conversion free supply chains.
+ Oceans & Sustainable Practices
Covering over 70 percent of our planet, the ocean supports global food security and livelihoods, regulates the global climate, and produces half of the oxygen we breathe. Every land-based activity arguably relies, at some stage and in some capacity, on services provided by the ocean. We will encourage companies to reduce their pressures from ocean-related activities and implement sustainable practices with far-reaching environmental benefits.
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