A framework for coordinating research on nature positive action by businesses with four core components, in line with international targets, has been proposed by a group of UK academics.
The framework aims to harmonise research on individual business activities, sector strategies, and impact measurements, they said in the report, led by researchers from the University of Oxford and The Biodiversity Consultancy.
“A research-driven approach for business action on biodiversity is vital to prevent unintended environmental and social consequences, but there is currently no coordinated research effort on this topic,” said the report, published by the One Earth journal.
“We utilise this framework to propose high-priority research questions where we believe collaboration between researchers, consultants, and sustainability practitioners is needed to guide effective, feasible, and equitable action to protect and restore nature.”
The paper aims to help further business engagement with Target 15 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which explicitly acknowledges the role of the private sector in tackling the nature crisis.
Businesses have a vital role to play in contributing towards the goal of ‘nature positive’, a term increasingly used around the world despite the lack of a universally accepted definition, it said.
The framework identified four core components where coordinated research is needed:
- Systemic drivers of nature positive change, including market influence
- Strategic options for businesses
- Implementation of these strategies by individual businesses
- Monitoring of outcomes of business action for nature
The research questions are aimed at researchers, consultants, and business professionals, with the goal of directing efforts and funding toward practical research.
“The questions provide a starting point for research engagement at the business, sectoral, and societal level.”
“Business sustainability teams may use the framework as a guide to prioritise the data collection or resourcing that underly the development of an effective nature strategy or nature-related risk disclosure.”
Coalitions, such as Business for Nature, and industry-led initiatives, like the Nature Action 100, can use the framework to pinpoint focal areas for sectoral engagement, it said.
Several initiatives have been launched to define ‘nature positive’ in various contexts, as businesses, governments, and civil societies have struggled so far to align on its meaning.
In May, the Nature Positive Initiative partnered with consultants EY and The Biodiversity Consultancy to establish metrics tailored to nature positive claims.
By Thomas Cox – t.cox@carbon-pulse.com
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