Positive Incentives: Experiences from the ASEAN region | ASEAN CENTRE FOR BIODIVERSITY

The call for  biodiversity conservation has been acknowledged by various sectors including governments, civil societies, and businesses. This gained heightened global attention in December 2022, when 196 parties to the Convention to the Biological Diversity adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM GBF), committing to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 and achieve its four goals by 2050. This KM GBF calls for a whole-of-society unified action reflecting the urgency and scale of action required to address the biodiversity crisis. Stakeholders  acknowledged that  “business as usual” is no longer viable. In their individual capacities, actors apart from the government, such as non-state organisations and businesses, have taken corrective steps to ensure that their intentions and actions are aligned with the interest of conserving the environment.

The  Report highlights  biodiversity loss as a consequence of human activities, economic interests, and inadequate policies, all of which have contributed to a systemic failure impacting biodiversity. It  emphasises the urgent need for  environmental sustainability,  focusing  on the ASEAN experience and its conservation efforts.

State and non-state actors are employing various     positive incentives to  encourage biodiversity-friendly behaviour. Positive incentives are similar to ‘carrot on sticks,’ and is a type of strategy to ensure a certain desired behaviour. Positive incentives can be done by governments through tax credits, grants, and preferential treatment on specific regulations, while  markets promote  green financing and  Environment, Social and Governance (ESG).  Non-government organisations may recognise and give rewards to other organisations, form partnerships, collaborations, and support systems. Internally, organisations can benefit from long-term cost saving, improved employment engagement, and enhanced brand reputation.

Businesses are implementing biodiversity strategies including restoration, compensation, and conservation. Four ASEAN based organisations exemplify these efforts: Simmalakham Sawdust Charcoal Briquette Personal in Laos PDR,  which produces  charcoal from wood wastes; Metro Pacific Investment Corporation (MPIC) in the Philippines, which engages in ESG initiatives such as mangrove preservation and renewable energy projects; and OceanPixel and Oceantera, both active across the region, focus on renewable energy solutions and their commercialization, respectively. 

These companies shared their experiences and the societal impacts of positive incentives, serving as inspiration and benchmarks for others who are in the same journey to be in harmony with nature. The report concludes by   evaluating   how to foster   more biodiversity-friendly practices  in Southeast Asia, revealing  opportunities and incentives for businesses to adopt sustainable models to the region and beyond.

[Full version of the case study] ACB.pdf

LIFE BIODIVERSITY CREDITS | LIFE Institute

When the concept behind LIFE Biodiversity Credits was first developed in 2010, the purpose was to develop a science-based methodology that would allow organizations to assess their biodiversity performance qualitative and quantitatively. LIFE Biodiversity Credit is a unit of positive outcome in biodiversity evaluated through LIFE metric. It represents conservation efforts and biodiversity results in a given area, considering its biodiversity importance and the quality of the area management, reflecting the efficacy of biodiversity projects implemented, and considering its additionality and permanence. Although the general rules for management and negotiation of LIFE Biodiversity Credits (LBC) are recent, the methodology behind the calculation of LBC is well established, counting on scientific indicators and all its technical details are publicly available. It is already being used by businesses that deliver biodiversity positive performance and are willing to get into the trading market as well by public and private landowners that maintain natural protected areas.

Founded in 2009 to connect businesses and biodiversity, LIFE Institute acts as a non-profit international standard-setting organization, responsible for the development and management of LIFE Methodology for Business and Biodiversity, LIFE Biodiversity Credits, and their third-party certification system. The development of LIFE Methodology and its metrics involved 198 professionals and 96 organizations in public meetings, technical meetings, and pilot-audits, culminating in the launch of its 1.0 version in August 2011. Twelve years later (August 2023), the LIFE metrics started to be used to calculate LIFE Biodiversity Credits (LBC).

[Full version of the case study] Life Institute.pdf

 BRDE Green and Equality Fund - Mitigating impacts on biodiversity as a bank of development | BRDE
BRDE has, as its main activity, since its creation in 1961, the long-term financing for projects in the South Region of Brazil, aiming for positive externalities for society that are socially and environmentally sustainable, that implement innovation, that develop micro and small rural and urban enterprises, and aimed at improvements in the infrastructure of the municipalities. Due to its very nature as a development bank, ESG practices have always been aligned with BRDE's strategy. But from the beginning of 2000, the Bank's operations in this field became more structured and were consistently strengthened year after year. Launched in 2022, Banco Verde is a large umbrella that makes visible the Bank's actions in promoting positive social, environmental and climate impact in the Southern Region of Brazil. In 2023, BRDE became the first bank member of the LIFE Coalition for Business and Biodiversity. To achieve one of the objectives as a Green Bank, Brde launched a Green and Equality Fund that is a financial support instrument for projects that will be selected and awarded for the exemplary and relevance in its social and environmental purpose. The BRDE is currently developing projects to use the BRDE Green and Equality Fund. 

[Full version of the case study] BRDE.pdf

Viva Agua Initiative | Boticario Group Foundation

The Viva Agua Initiative (VAI), launched in 2019 by the Boticario Group Foundation (BGF), aims to address water security and climate resilience in critical Brazilian watersheds. Initially focusing on the Miringuava watershed, which supplies water to over 500 thousand people in southern Brazil, VAI expanded to the Guanabara Bay region in 2021, serving 11 million. Each region has a dedicated fund to accelerate actions, which is managed by financial organizations and works within a venture philanthropy and/or revolving fund logic. VAI employs a co-creation approach involving diverse stakeholders to develop integrated solutions to common challenges. It has influenced companies to transition towards sustainable practices, contributing to biodiversity conservation and economic development. Notable achievements include reducing plastic pollution, promoting sustainable agriculture and responsible tourism, and strengthening impact businesses. Looking ahead, VAI aims to consolidate its experiences into a national governance framework by 2030, promoting water security across six strategic watersheds in Brazil.

[Full version of the case study] Boticario Group Foundation.pdf

Conexão Oceano - Communication and engagement in favour of ocean protection | Boticario Group Foundation

Conexão Oceano is an initiative of the Boticario Group Foundation, created in 2019 with the intention of stimulating communication to different audiences about the importance of conserving marine and coastal environments. In alignment with the Ocean Decade, it is a platform for connecting with journalists, communicators, influencers, researchers and representatives of public and private entities, which promotes and develops events, activations, publications and content for the press and social networks. Throughout its history, Conexão Oceano has engaged and brought awareness to the ocean cause to thousands of people.

Among its achievements are the Oceano sem Mistérios (Ocean Without Mysteries) publications, which use graphic resources and accessible language to translate technical and scientific content for society, as well as statistical and valuation studies of marine ecosystems. Some examples are the publications on Manguezais, Valoração Econômica dos Recifes de Corais e a Relação dos Brasileiros com o Mar (Mangroves, the Economic Valuation of Coral Reefs and the Relationship between Brazilians and the Sea). Another example is the Conexão Oceano Environmental Communication Notice, an award-winning initiative that values the production of qualified journalistic content about ocean sustainability. The public notice and Oceano sem Mistérios have the cooperation of Unesco.

[Full version of the case study] Boticario Group Foundation2.pdf

Itaipu Hydropower Plant - Results of Biodiversity Conservation through Integrated Social, Economic, and Environmental Actions | Itaipu Binacional

Sated in southern Brazil, Itaipu Hydropower Plant is the largest generator of renewable power in the world, producing more than 3 billion megawatts-hours (MWh).  The electricity generation from the Itaipu Hydropower Plant replaces the equivalent of 550,000 barrels of oil or 50 million cubic meters of natural gas daily. Since its conception, it has followed sustainable development principles, as reflected by its integrated actions and programs supporting social well-being, economic growth, and environmental protection, contributing to regional prosperity in Paraguay and Brazil. Itaipu’s activities in the region have been recognized as excellent examples of “Best Practices” in effectively implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this case we show how we invested in a strategic territory to improve the conservation of natural resources while seeking to improve people's lives and cultivation practices. We use the LIFE Methodology for Business and Biodiversity as an indicator of our conservation objectives, which has interesting metrics to highlight the size of our contribution to the environment, which has been around ten times more than necessary to compensate for our negative impacts.

[Full version of the case study] Itaipu Binacional.pdf

C-Pack Conserva - Restoring local biodiversity with partners | C-Pack Creative Packaging / Teia Biodiversidade e Negócios

C-Pack Creative Packaging, based in Santa Catarina’s State in southern Brazil, is the largest producer of extruded plastic tubes in Latin America. Since 2020, C-Pack and Teia BN are working together with the Instituto do Meio Ambiente de Santa Catarina and the Instituto Tabuleiro for the restoration of nature reserve Parque Estadual da Serra do Tabuleiro (PAEST). 

This pioneering private sector initiative supports official bodies in the control of Pinus, an invasive pine species, inside the PAEST. Besides drying the soil, Pinus is suppressing the native species Restinga, and thus leads to significant biodiversity loss. The highly flammable resin of Pinus trees is a factor in the spread of forest fires, which are a major problem for the neighborhood of Baixada do Maciambu. 

The project includes annual definition of the area for removal of Pinus, monitoring to verify the recovery of native species, environmental education, as well as certification by third-party accredited certifying body.

[Full version of the case study] C-Pack _ Teia.pdf

Conexão Araucaria - Restoration Project: A Public-Private partnership in Brazil, Paraná State | Japan Tobacco International / SPVS

 The Araucaria Connection Project, established in 2017, aims to assist small rural producers in the southeast of Paraná. Its primary goal is to restore the state's Permanent Preservation Areas (known as APPs in Brazil) within the Araucaria Forest, located in the Atlantic Forest biome, using ecological restoration techniques.

Through the restoration of native vegetation cover, the project is establishing a lasting legacy by ensuring the protection of water resources, maintaining soil quality, and contributing to the recovery of species diversity, including rare and endangered species. This initiative benefits the environment and future generations, while also enhancing the productivity of local crops. (Quote from www.spvs.org.br/en/conexao-araucaria)

An innovative public-private partnership among BNDES, the National Bank for Economic and Social Development and SPVS, Society for Research in Wildlife and Environmental Education and JTI, Japan Tobacco International, established the Araucaria Connection, an ecological restoration project. 

Known as the Brazilian Pine, the Araucaria tree is the symbol of the Brazilian state of Paraná. However, only 0.8% of its natural forests remain. To effectively expand the area of environmental restoration and the preservation of araucaria forest, a public-private partnership was established in 2017, including the participation of civil society organizations, the Brazilian Federal Government, Paraná State Government, Municipalities and family farmers, based on a public notice from BNDES. 

[Full version of the case study] JTI _ SPVS.pdf
 

Lands with Purpose | Animal Bank

Tierras con Propósito® (Land with Purpose) is an initiative led by Animal Bank, part of the Portafolio Verde group, which has operated as an environmental consultant for more than 18 years, helping companies to follow the path of sustainability. This initiative seeks to promote the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources on private properties with high environmental value in Colombia. It identifies and manages a portfolio of private natural areas, connecting them with organizations interested in developing sustainable projects such as ecotourism, agroforestry, environmental offsets, among others.

The main objective of Tierras con Propósito® is to encourage landowners to preserve and responsibly utilize their land. Through strategic alliances and resource management, the implementation of projects that contribute to the conservation of valuable ecosystems and sustainable development is facilitated.

The initiative has succeeded in forming a diverse portfolio of properties distributed across 23 departments of Colombia, encompassing a wide variety of ecosystems and natural habitats. In addition, it has generated positive impacts such as the effective preservation of valuable ecosystems, support for sustainable productive projects, and awareness-raising about responsible environmental practices.

Tierras con Propósito® represents an innovative strategy to reconcile biodiversity conservation with sustainable economic development, promoting collaboration between public and private sectors for the benefit of the environment and local communities.

[Full version of the case study] Animal Bank.pdf

CIRCULAR ECONOMY:FROM WASTE TO VALUE | Cooperativa Dos Pinos

Cooperativa de Productores de Leche Dos Pinos (Cooperative of Milk Producers Dos Pinos) established in Costa Rica in 1947, markets dairy products from 1,300 producer members and employs some 5,500 employees throughout the region. 

The Cooperative's vision has always been to provide wellness and health to its consumers through a diversified, high-quality portfolio, promoting responsible practices and operational excellence. Its broad product offering of over 900 varieties includes milks, ice cream, yogurt, cheeses, butters, dairy creams, juices, teas and beverages, water, candies, chocolates and proteins. Many of these products are exported to 11 countries in the region.

In accordance with the principle of the circular economy, all the liquid waste that is the final part of the Cooperative's production processes is not only properly treated but ends up as fertilizer that is marketed in its network of 18 agro-veterinary warehouses. Last year, more than 300 tons of this compost were marketed, with significant environmental and economic benefits.

[Full version of the case study] Cooperative Dos Pinos.pdf

ALLIANCES FOR MOBILIZING CLIMATE AMBITION - Private Public Collaboration | ALIARSE

Climate change is the main challenge for sustainable human development. According to the 2023 IPCC synthesis report, global temperatures have risen by 1.1 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels due to fossil fuel burning and unsustainable practices. This warming has increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, severely affecting vulnerable people and ecosystems.

Ecosystem-based adaptation solutions are essential to tackle climate impacts, protect biodiversity, and improve food security, according to the World Resources Institute. Some impacts are so severe that urgent action is needed to avoid, minimize, and address losses and damages.

Public-private collaboration is crucial in this context. The Climate Action Alliance, established in 2019 in Costa Rica, brings together partners from both the public and business sectors to promote more ambitious climate action. It has been fundamental in mobilizing the business sector in Costa Rica towards decarbonization, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

Importantly, the Alliance has grown stronger year after year, as this collaborative system has evolved into a platform that enables sectors to support national initiatives and strengthen cross-sector dialogues. The organizations within the Alliance believe in collaboration as a powerful and transformational tool for generating incentives that mobilize the private sector.

The Alliance has become a benchmark in climate leadership in both the public and private sectors. Its participation, through the determination and implementation of incentives, has been crucial to achieving national climate action goals. 

[Full version of the case study] ALIARSE.pdf

CHILDREN´S ETERNAL RAINFOREST | Monteverde Conservation League

Costa Rica emerged as a world leader in the environmental movement in the 1970’s with a daring initiative to create a National Park System. Today, the National Parks are credited with fueling a vibrant tourism industry. However, less often recognized is the significance of privately protected wild areas. In fact, they comprise one-half of all protected areas in the nation. 

A leader in the network of private conservation is the Monteverde Conservation League, owner and steward of the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, the largest privately-owned reserve in Costa Rica. From modest beginnings, the Children’s Eternal Rainforest (or “BEN” after its Spanish name, Bosque Eterno de los Niños) has grown and prospered, with contributions from thousands of donors including many schoolchildren as well as public and private Payments for Environmental Services. This case study contributed by Lindsay Stallcup, executive director of the Monteverde Conservation League, documents this achievement as well as the challenges of sustaining the effort.

[Full version of the case study] Monteverde Conservation L.pdf

FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR COSTA RICA´S FORESTS - Costa Rica´s Payment for Environmental Services Program | Héctor Arce Benavides, independent consultant

Costa Rica's Payment for Environmental Services Program (PES) has been the leading program in the mobilization of financial resources for the conservation of forest ecosystems. Since its implementation in 1997, it has achieved

• Increased forest cover: More than 1 million hectares of forest have been protected.
• Carbon sequestration: Forests under PES have captured millions of tons of carbon dioxide.
• Socioeconomic benefits: PES has generated significant economic benefits for local communities, providing more than $600 million in payments to forest owners and farmers.
• Engagement of marginal and vulnerable groups: PES has made efforts to integrate marginal and vulnerable groups, such as rural women and indigenous peoples.
• Tools to access other markets: PES has provided FONAFIFO with sufficient tools to access REDD+ and payment for results markets.

PES has been a fundamental program for forest conservation in Costa Rica. Its achievements are an example for other countries seeking to protect their natural resources and improve the well-being of their communities.

The article also mentions the lessons learned during the life of the PES and concludes by pointing out the main challenges.

[Full version of the case study] Hector Arce Benavides.pdf

THE NEW FRENCH BUSINESS & BIODIVERSITY PLATFORM - French initiatives on the international stage | ORÉE

ORÉE, French business network launches a new Business & Biodiversity national platform financed by the French government

As the French focal point for the Biological Diversity Convention, ORÉE led the project to create a new French Business & Biodiversity platform with the support of the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), a public body dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity. Numerous partners and biodiversity experts were also involved in this project (companies, business networks, institutional bodies, NGOs, scientists and qualified experts)

The new platform aims at: 
• Being a national relay for the government's objectives towards the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (COP15).
• Mobilizing networks of economic players to gather feedback from companies involved in existing schemes (“Engagée pour la nature” Program, act4nature International, SBTN, TNFD, etc.).
• Centralizing and providing free access to inspiring resources (technical and academic resources, feedback, useful websites, methodologies, tools, etc.).
• Targeting all types of companies and all sectors, so that each one can start and progress in approaches that are favourable to biodiversity and proportionate to its impacts and dependencies.
• Animating and mobilize companies through workshops, webinars, etc.

The platform is a showcase for French initiatives on the international stage and a means for French companies to access international initiatives. The official international launch of the platform was during COP16.

[Full version of the case study] OREE.pdf

Working with private owners to create marine protected areas | Baltic Sea Action Group

The Living Baltic Sea Finland (LBSF) project was launched in 2019 by the Finnish non-profit organization Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG). BSAG was founded in 2008 and its goal is to save the Baltic Sea, mitigate climate change, and protect biodiversity. BSAG collaborates with companies, decision makers, media, farmers, private citizens, and all other relevant actors in society. The work is focused on regenerative agriculture and forestry, responsible maritime traffic and protecting underwater marine biodiversity.

The LBSF is a non-state initiative but works in close collaboration with Finnish environmental management officials. The project operates in Finnish marine areas. LBSF is financed by the Bank of Åland’s Baltic Sea Project, which finances initiatives that benefit the Baltic Sea. The yearly budget for LBSF is approximately 80 000 euros. The project is ongoing.

The aim of the project is to establish new marine protected areas (MPAs) in Finnish marine areas, focusing especially on water areas owned by private landowners.

[Full version of the case study] Baltic Sea Action Group.pdf

HELMI-HABITATS PROGRAMME,FOR AND WITH LANDOWNERS | Government of Finland

The main objective of the Helmi habitats programme is to enhance the biodiversity of Finnish nature by protecting, restoring and managing mires, waterfowl habitats, semi-natural grasslands and forests habitats, as well as small waters bodies and shore habitats. The aim is also to promote ecosystem services, water protection and carbon sequestration, and climate change adaptation.

Almost half of the habitat types and 12% of the species in Finland are threatened. The main reason for this is the decline and deterioration of habitats. The Helmi programme is an important package of measures for halting the decline of biodiversity in Finland. The implementation of the programme is based on voluntary action by landowners. 

Objectives extending to 2030 have been set for the restoration and management of habitats, both for protected and non-protected areas. The programme is implemented through a total of 40 measures, including actions related to communication and strengthening the knowledge base. 
The Government Resolution on the Helmi programme was adopted on 27 May 2021.

The Helmi programme is a joint programme of the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, implemented together by the administrative branches of both ministries and municipal authorities and organisations.

[Full version of the case study] Government of Finland.pdf

The Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union

NABU - The Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union

Founded in 1899, NABU (The Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union) is the oldest and largest environment association in Germany. It encompasses more than 940,000 members and supporters, who commit themselves to the conservation of threatened habitats, flora, and fauna, to climate protection and energy policy. Together with its partners, NABU also looks back on over 30 years of successful international conservation work.

NABU's main objectives are the preservation of habitats and biodiversity, the promotion of sustainability in agriculture, forest management, and water supply and distribution, as well as to enhance the significance of nature conservation in our society.

About 70,000 volunteers play an active role in practical nature conservation work, with great success: This is something that is special to NABU. These active NABU members look after more than 110,000 hectares of valuable protected reserves in Germany. NABU also has volunteer groups working on an international level to conserve nature, protect species and support livelihoods in Africa, Eurasia and the Caucasus. This work is backed by professionals at our regional offices and at our national headquarters in Berlin, who take care of public relations, project development and management, and political lobbying.

NAJU, NABU’s own youth organisation, has more than 85,000 young members. It is the biggest environment organisation for young people in Germany. It offers a framework for children and young adults aged 6 to 27 to protect nature and the environment.

[Full version of the case study] NABU.pdf

SUPPORT TO THE GLOBAL EFFOETS FOR NATURE CONSERVATION funded by Japanese Business Community - 31-year Contribution – Activities for 2030 Nature Positive | Keidanren Nature Conservation Council

Keidanren Nature Conservation Council (KNCC) is a sister organization of Keidanren, a comprehensive economic organization in Japan. KNCC has been supporting NGOs projects through Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund (KNCF) for 31 years, running by contributions from various Japanese companies (mainly Keidanren member companies) and executives and employees as an individual donor. The total amount of support by KNCF up to June 2024 is more than 5 billion yen and the number of supported projects has reached over 1,700.

The case studies focus on events since CBD´s COP15 (2022), in particular:
•   KNCF´s contribution to UNDP´s COMDEKS* Phase 4, in collaboration with the Japanese Ministry of Environment
•   KNCF´s new grant program for projects contributing to the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)
•   KNCC´s key activities after CBD・COP15 such as revision of the Keidanren Declaration for Biodiversity and Guideline, TNFD Promotion, Policy recommendation to incentivize nature-positive management, G7-Alliance on Nature Positive Economies, and Questionnaire survey on corporate biodiversity efforts in Japan.

*Community Development and Knowledge Management for the Satoyama Initiative

[Full version of the case study] KNCC.pdf

INTEGRATION OF BIODIVERSITY WITHIN THE REAL ESTATE SECTOR through LEED and other tools | PIIMA / Ámbito Arquitectura

Responsible

Jessica Diaz Avelar — Founder and Risk and Sustainability Vice President, PIIMA, piima.mx
Marion Hammerl — President, Global Nature Fund and BPM member
George Jaksch — President, Biodiversity Partnership Mesoamerica (BPM)
Julio Leal — Engineering and Certifications Manager, PIIMA
Maria Matamoros — Director, Architecture and Sustainability Area

About PIIMA

PIIMA is a company specialized in sustainability consulting and green certifications whose experience in the sector is backed by more than 15 years.

The development of engineering and corporate sustainability projects are part of the mission that we seek to perform, which are considered agents of change and ESG transformation of our clients, in the face of the challenges of the global agenda.

Background

This project arises from the collaboration between private organizations and an NGO (BPM) from different countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica and Germany for any international organization.

Currently, the issue of biodiversity has taken on great importance for different sectors, mainly the real estate sector, however, there are many doubts about how to implement actions or best practices to benefit biodiversity. That is why PIIMA, together with Ámbito Arquitectura and BPM, sought to develop a tool (Biodiversity toolkit) that could be aligned with international frameworks, standards, evaluations and certifications such as GRI, TNFD, CDP, GRESB and LEED, and that could help those developers and operators to implement actions that had positive impacts.

The project seeks to enable those developers and building operators who are interested in implementing actions to benefit biodiversity to identify the current status in which they find themselves, evaluate the possible actions they can implement depending on each phase and detect opportunities within a continuous improvement. Access to this tool is free and non-profit since the objective is to support the sector and stop the loss of biodiversity that exists derived from the sector.

The collaborative work between PIIMA, Ámbito Arquitectura, BPM, Global Nature Fund, Green Business Certification Inc. and US Green Building Council resulted in an editable document in a spreadsheet called “Biodiversity Toolkit V1”, this tool was published on the official PIIMA website: www.piima.mx, in September 2023, along with a document written under the name “Real Estate and Biodiversity: What You Need to Know” published on the US Green Building Council page as educational material. The information regarding both documents was also disclosed within a session of Green Build 2023, organized by the GBCI, where members of different international companies were able to access training where topics such as:

•  The current state of biodiversity
• Relationship between biodiversity and the real estate sector
• Biodiversity through LEED and SITES

For this training, a document was prepared with the graphic content necessary to understand the current barriers to biodiversity integration, instructions for using the toolkit and steps to improve biodiversity.

To date, there has been acceptance and interest in the toolkit since it is a topic that many in the field are still unaware of. One of the main challenges is the dissemination of the tool and knowledge of it internationally. Although the dissemination it has had is good, it is still not enough to generate a tangible collective impact on biodiversity. Efforts need to be collected to be able to share this information with interest groups.

One of the main strengths of the tool is that it is intuitive for those beginners who are unaware of the implications of biodiversity within the business model, part of this is the identification of 6 steps to start with biodiversity within the due diligence process of the organization.

We estimate that in the future, this tool can help organizations identify the state they are in and the actions they can implement within their operational processes. In Mexico there is still a great lack of knowledge about the subject, so its contribution to collective thought is essential.

We know that there is still a lot to learn and implement within this tool, that is why we are working on an update of the toolkit to be able to offer a better understanding of biodiversity derived from updates to international frameworks and standards such as GRI and TNFD.

[Full version of the case study] Piima_ambito.pdf

 LOS BÓSCARES-Positive Incentive for Forest Conservation | Reforestamos Mexico / Los Bóscares

Reforestamos Mexico is a non-governmental organization founded in 2002. With 22 years of experience, its mission has been to secure more and better forests to promote sustainable development. Their vision is to make forests the primary allies in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and ensuring forest connectivity in Mexico.

Los Boscares began in Mexico in 2018 and since 2021 the initiative has expanded to Central America, Colombia, and Peru to annually identify, analyze, and recognize the most outstanding projects supported voluntarily by companies to protect forest ecosystems in the countries where they operate.

Reforestamos Mexico is responsible for Los Boscares, from its conception and methodology to ongoing updates and implementation.

[Full version of the case study] Reforestamos _ Los Boscares.pdf

SOCIAL INCENTIVES FOR ACTION - Weaving Biodiversity and Climate Action in Te Tau Ihu | The Nelson Tasman Climate Forum

Social incentives drive high levels of citizen volunteering for biodiversity restoration and climate action in the top of the South Island (Te Tau Ihu) Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Reassertion of Māori perspectives over recent decades has embedded Te ao Māori, the indigenous world view, within a wider social consciousness. This has both supported an emerging culture of care and connection and has come into conflict with approaches such as national parks that set aside areas from human resource use. The result has been national dialogue working to integrate the values of environmental awareness and the concept of kaitiakitanga . Overall, this alignment has fuelled social mandate for pro-environmental action by institutions and by citizens, sometimes at variance with the national government.

Documented human caused extinctions in New Zealand have been high and the proportion of threatened species is one of the highest in the world. Central government performance on reducing greenhouse emissions has been poor, with targets for reductions consistently missed. Central and local government and philanthropists have funded programmes that support the work of citizens’ initiatives.

This paper explores the non-financial incentives that have stimulated high levels of volunteer action for biodiversity restoration, woven together with climate mitigation, adaptation, and justice in the top of the South Island of New Zealand.

It concludes that pro-environmental behaviours are most strongly driven by a sense of belonging at place associated with social modelling and a felt connection to nature that lead to a sense of personal responsibility.

[Full version of the case study] The Nelson Tasman Climate F.pdf

CASE STUDY 1. Spain’s Biodiversity Foundation | FUNDACIÓN BIODIVERSIDAD

The Biodiversity Foundation, part of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, has as founding mission: "to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems and drive forward a change in the economic, social and cultural model".

In recent years, its work as a European fund manager has been consolidated, allocating around 830 million euros to the financing of more than 3,000 projects through calls for grants. With this same aim in mind, it has promoted and worked on major conservation projects that have made it possible to protect emblematic and to drive forward the Natura 2000 marine network in Spain.

The Pleamar Programme was created in 2017 to integrate fisheries’ management policies with those for the protection of the marine environment and to promote the sustainability of Spanish fisheries and aquaculture in the context of the blue economy. This programme, co-funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, EMFAF, co-finances projects aimed at protecting marine biodiversity, reducing and managing waste, improving the knowledge and management of marine protected areas, such as those belonging to the Natura 2000 network, reducing bycatches and making the most of discards, and strengthening partnerships between the scientific community and the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

CASE STUDY 2. The Pleamar Programme in action: Selected examples | FUNDACIÓN BIODIVERSIDAD

Since its launch, the Pleamar Programme has supported a total of 135 projects through 207 operations, with a total budget of almost 24 million euros, to which the EMFF has contributed just over 16 million euros, making a very significant contribution to strengthening the participation of the fisheries sector in the implementation of the Birds, Habitats and Marine Strategies Directives and in improving the management of fishing activities in Natura 2000 Network sites.

This case study highlights 7 projects regarded as exemplary, due to the involvement of actors, the innovation contributed, the excellent technical and economic implementation and the impact in terms of communication. By way of example, some of the projects implemented in the Pleamar programme during the EMFF period (2014-2021) that have been called exemplary due to the good results obtained have been attached.

[Full version of the case study] FUNDACION BIODIVERSIDAD.pdf

CONNECTING NATURE-POSITIVE ACTION WITH CORPORATE VISION FOR 35+ YEARS | Wildlife Habitat Council

Governments across the globe are endeavoring to implement regulations that align with 2030 and 2050 targets in The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Civil society groups, such as the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), have developed and implemented innovative strategies to support businesses in aligning with the 2030 and 2050 targets that go beyond regulatory approaches available to government entities.   

For more than 35 years, WHC has recognized, inspired, engaged and supported businesses to achieve wins for nature. It specializes in working alongside industry to identify voluntary land management and other business-related practices that progress “beyond compliance” while harmonizing operational needs with biodiversity uplift. Currently, WHC’s corporate membership of over 100 companies on the Fortune Global 500. 

WHC collaborates with companies to ensure nature is considered in corporate, operational and site-level decision making. One way in which WHC accomplishes this is by guiding companies to create employee-led volunteer teams focused on establishing (and maintaining) site-based, locally relevant biodiversity uplift projects. WHC conservation and biodiversity experts provide project recommendations, strategies and tactics, and assist in identifying and connecting with local stakeholders to support implementation and monitoring to ensure actions will have the greatest ecological and social impacts. 

[Full version of the case study] WHC.pdf