Two years ago, the UN’s Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) published Global Biodiversity Outlook 5, which reported that natural habitats have continued to disappear, vast numbers of species remain threatened by extinction from human activities, and $500bn of environmentally damaging government subsidies were destroying biodiversity. The natural world is deteriorating, undermining efforts to address climate change and the SDGs. There are examples of successful efforts to reduce or reverse biodiversity loss.
Earth’s living systems as a whole are being compromised. And the more humanity exploits nature in unsustainable ways and undermines its contributions to people, the more we undermine our own wellbeing, security and prosperity.
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, the UN’s Biodiversity Head
The United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) COP 15 is happening in Montreal, concluding on 19th December. As the UN’s environment chief, Inger Andersen, pointed out forcefully to delegates arriving for COP 15, “As far as biodiversity is concerned, we are at war with nature. We need to make peace with nature. Because nature is what sustains everything on Earth … the science is unequivocal.”
We shall see what is achieved. The CBD has three purposes: biodiversity conservation, the sustainable use of biodiversity, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of using genetic resources. The objective is to agree and adopt a ‘post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework’ (GBF) a strategic plan with global targets and detailed steps to enable people to live in harmony with nature to 2030 and an ambitious 2050 vision.
As with the climate change conferences, there will be many fine words and declarations. What matters is what governments, the conservation organsiations and the private sector do and what they achieve.
The World Bank has reported on biodiversity, arguing that “biodiversity loss is a material risk to our economies, our financial sector and, therefore to development.” It estimates that 50% of global GDP depends on natural resources. The World Bank asserts that empowering local communities is at the heart of successful initiatives whether “through nature-smart projects that create jobs in the local community or facilitating regional collaboration to ensure the sustainable use of shared resources.”
Justin Francis, CEO of Responsible Travel and biodiversity lead for the UK Government’s Council for Sustainable Business, pointed out last month that: “Despite our best intentions, our supply chains – particularly if they include intensively produced beef, dairy, soy, palm oil, cocoa, timber and pulp, or hotels or cruise lines with poor environmental standards – are destroying nature and wildlife.”
The scope for positive action is large, in how we manage our supply chain, engage our staff and encourage sustainable travel. “Much of what we do in hotel design, the creation of walking tours, festivals, visitor centres, spas and scenic tours is drawn from it. We can return the favour by inspiring the world’s 1.5bn international and 9bn domestic tourists a year to take care of nature, both on their travels and at home.”
Back in September, the World Travel & Tourism Council published Nature Positive Travel and Tourism. It reminds us that the sector can contribute to biodiversity loss and advance nature conservation. The WTTC asserts that “Taking direct action to reduce impacts and restore nature, while encouraging supply chains and destination partners to do the same, can protect our planet and also boost tourism appeal. Managed well, Travel & Tourism can reconnect people with nature, invest in species protection through effective community-led partnerships and play a leading role in a Nature Positive future.”
The WTTC report explains why biodiversity matters to travel and tourism and how it can become Nature Positive. The report includes a Nature Positive Toolbox offering practical guidance, case studies and a glossary, as well as Recommendations to guide stakeholders towards Nature Positive Travel & Tourism.
At COP 15 yesterday the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) announced the formation of a Hospitality and Tourism Task Force to be comprised of CEOs from across the hospitality and tourism industry, under the leadership of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and the Considerate Group. The Task Force will provide leadership and foster collaboration “in the pursuit of tangible, scalable and practical sustainable solutions.”
Hospitality industry has wide-reaching value and supply chains, encompassing finance, transport, energy, agriculture and construction among many others, generating enormous potential for cross-sector influence and collaboration.
Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Back in 1997, our research at Gonarezhou (Zimbabwe), Keoladeo (India) and Komodo (Indonesia) revealed that tourist visits to the national parks failed to provide revenue to the maintenance of the park or to contribute to the livelihoods of those displaced from the parks and bearing the opportunity costs. Perhaps we need to be willing to pay to enter the national parks we love to visit. That would be nature positive impact.
As with the challenge of climate change, too little progress is being made to avert severe consequences for ourselves and the other species with which we share our finite planet.
