The partnership with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development

In 2005, IUCN and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) have agreed to intensify cooperation in strengthening global efforts to protect the earth, its forests, its wetlands, its biodiversity and its vitality for human wellbeing and development.

Both IUCN and WBCSD have a common objective to enhance cooperation between business and conservation groups to foster the conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems and the essential services they deliver.

This four years agreement sees the two organizations working together to:
• Develop and promote the business case for biodiversity;
• Encourage and support NGO/private sector partnerships and
dialogues;
• Mainstream biodiversity conservation in the business operations of
WBCSD members;
• Enhance civil society understanding, recognition and support for
biodiversity leadership by business; and
• Help develop, test and promote the use of market-orientated strategies
and business actions that support sustainable management of natural
resources.

As of today, result of the cooperation include:
o Agricultural ecosystems – Facts and Trends (2008)
o Business and Ecosystems – Markets for Ecosystem Services (2007)
o Business and Ecosystems – Issue brief (2007)
o An IUCN staff (Mikkel Kallesoe) seconded (starting 1 November 2007) as Program Manager in WBCSD Ecosystems Focus Area. His main duties include providing content and facilitating overall program design and implementation.
o WBCSD active presence at the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona through the presence of many members and the WBCSD Pavilion.


Private Sector Knowledge Network

Over the past few years, IUCN has been reflecting on how it might associate the private sector with the delivery of IUCN mission in amore institutionalized way. In March 2008, on the recommendation of the Governance Task Force, IUCN Council endorsed the development and implementation of a Private Sector Knowledge Network.

The primary purpose of establishing the network is to extend the IUCN platform to individuals from the private sector and to those from other parts of the society interested to engage with private sector in achieving nature conservation. This will entail developing and implementing a programme of work that is of interest to the private sector and in accord with the IUCN global programme and priorities.

The first brainstorm meeting to discuss the Private Sector Knowledge Network took place 18th of July, 2008. The objectives of the meeting were to generate ideas and to shape this initiative. The meeting was not to make decisions. Link: report of the meeting.