- Date: 10 October 2024
- Author: Sheila Bonini
To the business community: pay attention to this next statistic because it has critical ramifications for your company and livelihood.
According to WWF's latest Living Planet Report, we’ve seen a 73% decline in the average size of wildlife populations since 1970.
Sad, right? But what does wildlife have to do with you? You may be thinking that this is a problem for conservationists and scientists—fewer fish in Brazil won’t make a difference to your company one way or another. I’m sorry to tell you this, but that couldn’t be more wrong.
Every two years, WWF releases a state-of-the-planet report chronicling the health of our natural world, the drivers of biodiversity loss, and solutions. That shocking statistic—an average 73% decline in wildlife populations—is the canary in the coal mine. Biodiversity loss is inextricably linked with other aspects of planetary health, including our climate and availability of natural resources. In short, this is not just about animals; this is a human problem, and a problem for business. Take it as a warning sign about our planet’s ability to support life and provide the resources on which we depend. This is a red flag so big and bright you could see it from outer space.
Here are some more statistics that might resonate:
- 55% of global GDP--$58 trillion—depends on nature.
- 17% of the EU’s €650 billion climate-related losses happened in just the last two years.
- 63% of Asia Pacific GDP is at risk from nature loss.
- A 10% decrease in crop yield is predicted globally, with up to 50% decreases in some regions.
And here’s the kicker:
- By 2030, the collapse of essential ecoservices like pollination, fisheries, and timber production could slash global GDP by $2.7 trillion.
We are on the brink of multiple dangerous tipping points. And once we pass these tipping points, the change becomes self-perpetuating and potentially irreversible. This dire information is not intended to inspire fear; it’s intended to inspire action. Because tipping points can be prevented and we know exactly what we need to do.
This is where you come in.
Business and finance have a critical role to play in driving a nature-positive future. These communities must become a force for good, helping to restore nature and create equitable, net-zero, nature-positive markets and economies. But you don’t have to do it alone. WWF and our global network of on-the-ground partners can help you transform your business and find solutions to sustainability and conservation challenges. Our experts, science-based tools, international platforms, and global network can support you in driving systemic change across your value chain, engage relevant stakeholders and advocate for whole-system transformation. If you’d like to see examples of how we work together to meet these goals, check out these resources:
- The Biodiversity Risk Filter
- Science-Based Targets for Nature
- The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures
If you want your business to thrive in the future, ensuring the health of the planet on which it operates is paramount. Please join us in reshaping the nature of business to create a future in which we can all thrive.
Sheila Bonini is Senior Vice President, Private Sector Engagement at WWF.