For long, greenhouse gas emissions have been the focal point of sustainability. However, there are other key elements that compose our planetary systems that deserve as much attention — and biodiversity is certainly one of them.

It refers to the variety of genes, species and ecosystems on Earth, influencing the interactions of billions of living beings. For humans, biodiversity not only has an intrinsic value, but it is also deeply connected to the cultural, regulating and provisioning services from nature.

Despite that, societal values and behaviours have already put more than one million species of plants and animals — of the eight million estimated to exist — at risk of extinction. Such biodiversity loss has profound consequences for our society and is directly driven by five factors (in order of impact):

1. Changes in land and sea use
2. Direct exploitation of organisms
3. Climate change
4. Pollution
5. Invasion of alien species

According to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) — the main independent intergovernmental body for biodiversity and ecosystem services — the intensity of these drivers differs regionally, ultimately underpinned by factors such as production and consumption patterns, trade, and technological innovations.

With time, this context has become undeniably material for companies. The World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that more than half of the world’s GDP is moderately or heavily dependent on nature. If enterprises continue to operate in unsustainable ways, they will feed a vicious circle where not only the multiple consequences of biodiversity loss become more intense, but also their operations become more fragile.

Impact Labs is committed to changing this system and helping organisations operate within the boundaries of our planet. With offers such as biodiversity trainings and footprints, we are leading the transition to a nature-positive economy.