Businesses risk extinction themselves unless they protect and restore the natural world, scientists across the globe are warning.

A major new report sets out how companies can shift from harmful approaches to ones that help restore nature. It comes amid major concerns over UK nature loss.

The assessment, by Ipbes (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services), is based on contributions from leading scientists and approved by 150 governments.

Businesses can either lead the way or “ultimately risk extinction… both of species in nature, but potentially also their own”, said co-author Matt Jones, from the UN World Conservation Monitoring Centre in Cambridge.

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More companies are getting involved in local projects, such as community tree planting

Ipbes found that all businesses, even those seemingly far-removed from it, rely on the services nature provides for free, from clean water to fertile soils.

Co-chair, Prof Stephen Polasky, said the loss of biodiversity is among the most serious threats to business, “yet the twisted reality is that it often seems more profitable to businesses to degrade biodiversity than to protect it”.

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A herd of cattle stands near a muddy channel cutting through coastal wetlands at Steart, Somerset

Commenting on the report, Leigh Morris, International Director of the consortium of UK wildlife charities, The Wildlife Trusts, said we need “clear metrics and toolkits so businesses can get their own houses in order on biodiversity”.

For many UK businesses, engaging with nature protection has gone from “a nice-to-do” to a “must-do”, he added.

One example of how companies are working hand-in-hand with nature is at Steart Marshes in Somerset.

Farmers and conservationists are managing land in ways that support both wildlife and agriculture. Cattle are grazed across the marshes to create healthy habitats for birds, insects and plants.

Local farmer, Andy Darch, said the animals are helping in conservation.

“They are eating different types of grasses and trampling areas that are important for wildlife,” he said. “And because they are eating such a variety of plants, it produces a really high-quality beef at the end of the day.”

The Ghana Report

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