Anglian Water is among more than 560 companies with combined revenues of US$ 4 trillion, including Walmart, Citigroup, Microsoft, Hitachi, IKEA, Unilever, Axa, Kering and H&M, who are calling on governments to adopt policies now to reverse nature loss in this decade.

Global coalition Business for Nature’s Call to Action is the first time so many businesses have stepped forward with the ambition of influencing discussions in the run up to delivering a Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

The businesses, which are drawn from 54 countries, employing 9.5 million people and across all sectors, are calling on governments to act by putting nature front and centre of policymaking.

Without doing so, Business for Nature says:

“We simply will not be able to meet the 1.5C climate target set out in the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015 or prevent a catastrophic loss of biodiversity.”

According to the coalition, businesses recognize that it is in their best interests.

“Before COVID-19, the need to create more resilient economies and societies was clear, now it is inescapable. The natural resources and ecosystems that power businesses and underpin economies and communities are under huge strain and the potential for disruption to whole industries is significant.”

Announcing the Call to Action, Business for Nature referred to the World Economic Forum report that industries highly dependent on nature generate 15% of global GDP ($13 trillion), while moderately dependent industries generate 37% ($31 trillion).

Natural disasters linked to ecosystem degradation and climate change cost more than $300 billion each year – while an estimated 40% to 60% of small businesses never reopen after such events.

“But we need to scale and speed up efforts if we are to have any chance of what scientists tell us is necessary to mitigate climate change and to thrive within nature’s limits” Business for Nature continued.

Eva Zabey, Executive Director, Business for Nature said:

“It is exciting and unprecedented to see so many businesses urging for bold government action to reform nature policies. Many businesses are making commitments and taking action. But for us all to live well within the planet’s finite limits, we need to scale and speed up efforts now, not tomorrow.

“We need to see positive political ambition to address nature loss, climate change and inequality which will drive more even more action by business.”

Emmanuel Faber, CEO, of food giant Danone commented:

“We need to make sure that we stop working against nature. This means rethinking the way we live, produce, consume and eat, to build a resilient food model and taking into account our dependence on nature and life.

“We must bend the curve on climate change and nature loss in the next 10 years and we need collective effort now. Governments must support businesses in making the shift to Nature Based Solutions by making sure there is the appropriate regulatory framework to make these transitions at scale."

David Taylor, CEO, Procter & Gamble added:

“The science is clear - nature is everyone's business and the next 10 years are critical. At P&G, we’re working with Conservation International, the World Wildlife Fund, and others to fund projects that protect and restore critical ecosystems will help the communities and the environment.”

Ilham Kadri, CEO, of Solvay warned that “no business can be made at the expense of the planet” saying:

“We need ambitious policies on nature because we are the very last generation that has the luxury to make a choice.”

Anglian Water: "our region is just part of a global ecosystem which should have strongest protections possible from governments"

Anglian Water Biodiversity Manager Kylie Jones commented:

"Protecting nature is a key part of our business. This month we’ve joined forces with hundreds of other global companies, to sign up to the Business for Nature call to action. The coalition has been set up to urge governments around the world to take action and adopt ambitious policies now to prevent a loss of biodiversity.

“For us this job starts in our own back yard – we own 49 SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and the wetland at Rutland Water is designated as a site of international importance for wildlife. The most famous species there is the osprey – and our partners at the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust who manage the Rutland Osprey Project have recorded eight nests this summer and a total of 19 chicks have fledged.”

“Many of these species are migratory – ospreys spend the winter in Africa, and the wintering wildfowl at our reservoirs arrive from Scandinavia and the Arctic. Our region is just part of a global ecosystem – and one that we believe should have the strongest protections possible from governments.”

Click here to visit the Business for Nature website and to sign the Call for Action