At the Business and Sustainability Forum in Thailand in June 2024, Stefan Hörmann, Managing Director of the Global Nature Fund (GNF), presented an exciting overview of the wide-ranging activities within the “Enterprise Biodiversity” (UBi) project and at European level.
How can companies protect biodiversity sustainably? This question has occupied the Thai government agency Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office (BEDO) and the GNF for many years. One of her most important achievements is the Biodiversity Check for companies, which is now very popular not only in Europe but also in Thailand.
Thailand, the world’s 20th most biodiverse country, provided the ideal setting for the Business & Biodiversity Business and Sustainability Forum. Marion Hammerl, President of the GNF, and Stefan Hörmann were invited as speakers and presented the latest developments in the field of business and biodiversity at international and EU level to more than one hundred representatives from companies, authorities and associations.
The Thai government and business community are keeping a close eye on the EU’s position on nature conservation. The EUDR (EU directive on deforestation-free supply chains) in particular has a direct impact on Thai companies: From the end of the year, raw materials such as coffee, palm oil or natural rubber may only be imported if their production has not caused deforestation. Many participants were therefore surprised at the delays in the adoption of the EU Restoration Law, which in turn is intended to regulate the restoration of nature in the EU.
There was a consensus that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to be more involved and supported in order to use biodiversity sustainably. BEDO and GNF are planning to expand their cooperation with Thai business associations and develop sector-specific checks, such as those developed by GNF in the UBi project, as well as a biodiversity check light for SMEs.
In addition to the Biodiversity Check, BEDO also promotes products that are produced in a biodiversity-friendly way by local cooperatives. For larger companies, BEDO will strengthen and support the recording of biodiversity using biodiversity footprints and natural capital accounting in the future. There will also be an intensive exchange with the GNF in this area.
Overall, the forum provided an inspiring platform for exchange and cooperation between the continents in order to jointly protect biodiversity and shape a sustainable future.