ICC joins pledge for step change on biodiversity

Ahead of Wednesday’s United Nations Summit on Biodiversity Mr Denton has become a signatory of the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature which aims to ramp up long-term global ambition and commitment to take transformative actions for nature, climate and people.

Announced today during a high level event, the pledge states:

“Nature fundamentally underpins human health, wellbeing and prosperity. We need to appropriately value nature and the services it provides as we make decisions and recognize that the business case for biodiversity is compelling. The benefits of restoring natural resources outweigh the costs ten-fold, and the cost of inaction is even higher.”

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year, Mr Denton said: “Business recognises that we must protect, conserve and restore nature, to safeguard our communities, livelihoods and economies.”

ICC is committed to mobilising its global network of over 45 million companies to develop collective solutions and pioneering partnerships that help to transform the private sector relationship with nature to address the biodiversity crisis.

Mr Denton said: “This Pledge is a recognition of this crisis and an expression of the need for a profound re-commitment from world leaders to take urgent action. Against the backdrop of COVID19, which has crippled the world’s economies and pressured governments everywhere to begin the process of rebuilding and renewing, decisions made now will have ramifications for all of us and for generations to come.”

The Leaders’ Pledge for Nature commits the signatories – now numbering more than 60 UN Member States and a range of non-state actors – to undertake 10 urgent actions over the next 10 years as part of the UN Decade of Action to achieve Sustainable Development and to put nature and biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030. Commitments range from including biodiversity, climate and the environment at the heart of COVID-19 recovery strategies and investments, to ensuring that approaches to the design and implementation of policies are science-based and inclusive.

In joining the Pledge for Nature, Mr Denton unites with global leaders in committing to meaningful action and mutual accountability to address the biodiversity emergency.

Leaders pledge to meet at key international events, including the 2021 United Nations General Assembly, to review progress and reaffirm their commitments.

Visit the Leaders Pledge for Nature website to learn more