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Business Engagement

Through bold collaborations, innovative solutions, and science-based approaches, our Business Engagement work helps companies move from ambition to action. Explore how we collaborate with companies to co-create solutions that drive measurable impact for ecosystems and communities. 

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Nature and business

The private sector plays a critical role to halt nature loss. Over half of global GDP is at risk from nature loss. Businesses of all sizes and across most industries rely on natural resources for their operations as well as on healthy ecosystems for clean air, water, soil and many other benefits. 

Meanwhile, our economies continue to impact the natural world, with a lack of financial incentives to restore, protect and conserve nature at scale. With close to one trillion US dollars per year needed for conservation, more innovative partnerships and collective efforts are required to ensure financial flows support a nature-positive future. 

USD 58+ trillion

more than half of the world’s GDP is threatened by nature loss

USD 1+ billion

of investments guided by IUCN to ensure both people and nature benefit from the outcomes

IUCN and business

To transform the way economies invest in and value nature, IUCN works with businesses - small and large - alongside governments and civil society to identify how to address nature-related challenges and priorities.  
Collaborations are led with businesses from all sectors - as well as investors, policymakers, project developers and communities - to implement practices that conserve and restore nature, while benefitting people and contributing to business priorities.

To achieve this, IUCN develops policies, standards and tools and carries out independent scientific assessments which inform evidence-based decision-making. IUCN also mobilises finance to build capacity for biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and mitigation, implementing Nature-based Solutions at scale as well as contributing to more sustainable production systems.

“Our call to business leaders is clear: raise your ambition, scale up your investment, and deepen your collaboration for nature. IUCN stands ready to work with you, so that together we can build societies where people and nature flourish side by side — ensuring prosperity, resilience, and well-being for generations to come.” – IUCN Director General, Grethel Aguilar

Building engagements with the private sector is embedded within IUCN’s 2026-2029 Programme and 20-year vision, both adopted at the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress, demonstrating the Union’s commitment to collaborating effectively with businesses to deliver nature-positive outcomes.
 

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Business engagement

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What's next for your business?

Every company’s relationship with nature looks different. Wherever you are in your journey, IUCN can help you take the next step.

1

LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS

Awareness, alignment, and setting direction.
  • For companies beginning to consider biodiversity, the priority is to understand where they depend on nature and where risks may lie.
  • IUCN's science-based tools – like the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) – help build a clear baseline.
2

MOVING TO EXECUTION

Building credibility by demonstrating results.
  • Once the basics are in place, companies can turn commitments into credible action.
  • IUCN offers standards and tools that ensure investments deliver impact, such as the Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions and the IUCN RHINO approach to manage biodiversity impact.
3

TAKING A LEADERSHIP ROLE

Shaping markets, policies and inspiring action
  • The most advanced companies seek not only to act, but to influence investment flows and policies to transform what becomes the norm, while inspiring others to follow their lead.
  • IUCN provides platforms such as the IUCN Leaders Forum, which amplifies success and connects peers and experts.

Where should
you begin?

  • IUCN can meet you where you are today. A brief self-assessment or dialogue with IUCN's Business Engagement Unit can help you identify the right entry point – whether that means screening your risks, piloting a project, learning from your peers, or exploring leadership opportunities.
  • IUCN's role is to meet you where you are, and to help you grow from awareness to measurable action, and from action to industry leadership. Together, we can make nature part of your company's success story.
Get in touch today:

Faridah Ibrahim
Head, Business Engagement Unit, IUCN Secretariat
[email protected]