Lisbon, October 15, 2019 – Leaders of business organizations from 24 countries partnered with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) – which together represent approximately 2,000 companies – today launched the Lisbon Declaration, a joint initiative to support business actions and commitments, at scale, to address the challenges currently facing biodiversity. The launch took place during the WBCSD's annual meeting in Lisbon.
A strong business voice is essential to driving necessary change at a global level. These business organizations commit to working with their member companies to develop concrete, time-bound actions to produce a real impact on biodiversity preservation at the local level. The initiative Act4Nature It will serve as an important inspiration for each local commitment: it was launched by EpE (also a signatory of the Lisbon Declaration) in France in June 2018 and signed by 65 companies.
The Brazilian business sector, led by CEBDS (Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development), has also drafted its own commitment to be launched on October 29th in Rio de Janeiro. “Brazilian companies are taking the lead in promoting the message that biodiversity conservation and its sustainable use are intrinsically linked to the economic development of our megadiverse country. The Lisbon Declaration is putting us on this path, bringing together what is needed to curb biodiversity loss on a global scale,” said Marina Grossi, president of CEBDS.
Most of the signatory councils will also join Business for Nature, A global coalition that will unify and simplify the key voices of the business sector related to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP 15 next year in China, through dedicated feedback on recommendations from local companies to contribute constructively to the political debate and bring their forward-looking perspectives on the changes needed to address nature's crises. Signatories will also build on the growing expectation that... CBD COP 15 will reach a global agreement on nature, just like COP 21 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) It did a lot for the climate with the Paris Agreement. This global coalition organized by WBCSD It brings together influential organizations, such as World Economic Forum, WWF, We Mean Business, Natural Capital Coalition, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), World Resources Institute and others.
“The Lisbon Declaration is a commitment from many partners in the WBCSD Global Network to seize the opportunity to make 2020 a turning point for biodiversity and enhance the critical role that natural capital must play in achieving truly sustainable societies and economies,” said João Wengorovius Meneses, Secretary General of BCSD Portugal.
“The Act4nature initiative was launched in France to highlight nature on the CEOs' agenda. It is fantastic that members of the WBCSD Global Network are mobilizing their associates for nature conservation. The movement has been launched, let's expand it and disseminate it widely. The Lisbon Declaration is a fundamental step in this direction,” stated Claire Tutenuit, General Representative of EpE (Entreprises pour l'Environnement).
“The Lisbon Declaration will catalyze bold business action on nature and biodiversity around the world. This global collaboration is essential to amplify a united and impactful business voice in 2020 and beyond,” said Eva Zabey, Executive Director of Business for Nature.
“Day after day, the WBCSD Global Network advances solutions, advocacy and efforts to raise awareness around the world. The Lisbon Declaration is the latest example of local leadership that will translate global needs and ambitions into business actions focused on sustainability challenges, including biodiversity and nature,” said Filippo Veglio, Managing Director, People and Outreach at WBCSD.
The signatory organizations from 24 countries – Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, United States, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and Ukraine – represent approximately 2,000 companies, employing more than six million people.
The document was launched in Lisbon during the WBCSD Council Meeting, an annual event for members and partners that brings together more than 400 business and sustainability leaders, as well as Business Councils from around the world representing the WBCSD Global Network.
About CEBDS
The Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS) is a non-profit civil association that promotes sustainable development through articulation with governments and civil society, in addition to disseminating the most current concepts and practices on the subject. Founded in 1997, it brings together around 60 of the largest business groups in the country, responsible for more than 1 million direct jobs. It represents in Brazil the network of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), which has almost 60 national and regional councils in 36 countries and 22 industrial sectors, in addition to 200 business groups that operate in all continents. More information: https://cebds.org/
