Nature Key To Our Shared Prosperity

Ahead of the Global Nature Positive Summit, Australian business, finance, investor and civil society groups have come together to drive focus on the importance of nature protection and restoration.

Nature and biodiversity degradation is occurring globally at an unprecedented rate. Australia, with its rich and diverse natural environment, is particularly sensitive to biodiversity risks and has one of the highest rates of species extinction.

At the same time, nature underpins Australia’s economy - with roughly half of Australia’s GDP being moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services, either directly or indirectly through supply chains.[1]

Nature and biodiversity loss can pose systemic, strategic, operational and reputational risks for business and investments - from supply chain disruptions, through to community backlash and impacts on the financial bottom line.

Changes to natural habitats and biodiversity loss are also inextricably linked to both the drivers and impacts of climate change. Collective action on nature is critical for Australia’s climate goals.

Like other economies, Australia is grappling with the inter-dependence of a strong national economy with a healthy natural environment.  Awareness is rising and will require significant goodwill and broad collaboration to devise workable solutions that support productivity and prosperity.

While some Australian organisations are ready to report on their interface with nature, others are just getting started. Understanding organisational impact and dependence on nature and biodiversity must be the entry point for business and investors.

The Nature Positive Summit is an opportunity for Australia to operationalise the Global Biodiversity Framework goal of halting and reversing nature and biodiversity loss by 2030. Business, investors, civil society and government are committed to the task of ensuring we have a thriving natural environment to underpin our shared prosperity.

Signatories:

1. Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation (ACBF)
2. Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF)
3. Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI)
4. Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)
5. Australian Industry Group (Ai Group)
6. Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI)
7. Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CAANZ)
8. CPA Australia
9. Governance Institute of Australia (GIA)
10. Insurance Council of Australia (ICA)
11. Responsible Investments Association Australasia (RIAA)

[1] EY, Creating a nature positive advantage: Assessing the outlook for Australia in a net-zero world. 2023, p11

Download the media release here.