Happy World Environment Day!

UNEP and FAO’s “Ecosystem restoration for people, nature and climate” launches the latest UN campaign: The UN decade on ecosystem restoration. The report pulls together the literature and data on ecosystem degradation and the benefits of its restoration for the economy, people and nature. It is a very useful reference document. And I saw three weaknesses on the call-to-action front. First, the chapter on trade-offs is too general. Indeed, companies which are pro-active on climate change, need specific guidance on how to weave biodiversity in their action plans. Second, the report points to the lack of exhaustive data on restoration costs – essential to make the case for return on investment. Third, the final chapter is overwhelming as it shows how the campaign relates to environmental conventions and the SDGs, and presents the 5 task forces, advisory board, hub and playbook that will help execute.

Netflix’ sustainability commitments are reaching net zero by 2022 and investing in nature-based solutions. Their new head of sustainability who took the job in October 2020 recently said that her position had been the most sought after in the history of the company. What got me excited: A bold plan; a woman scientist leading the job; and the use of the platform to promote the cause.  

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s “An eco-awakening: measuring global awareness, engagement and action for nature” measures the awareness, engagement, and action for nature using social media data. The popularity of nature and biodiversity has increased by 16% worldwide since 2016 driven by growth in Asia, and primarily in India (190%), Pakistan (88%) and Indonesia (53%).

UNEP Executive Director Inger Anderson tells INSEAD students: “Preaching to the converted isn’t going to make the difference we need in our societies. So, we need brave and fearless people inside corporates. We need strong and young voices, not worn down or subsumed by a company’s culture, to be the flea in the ear, the conscience, the voice of reason that forces corporates to move beyond lip service to sustainability and start doing something meaningful.”