Momentum for Nature Action: Insights from Indonesia and Thailand
This piece was written by Pallavi Kalita, Asia Lead at Business for Nature, following the team’s trip to Thailand and Indonesia to support the national implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework and facilitate business-government dialogues.
The humid air of Jakarta and the bustling streets of Bangkok might seem worlds apart, but my recent visit revealed a shared groundswell of activity and enthusiasm when it comes to protecting nature and encouraging business to be part of the solution.
As Asia lead at Business for Nature, my recent trip to Indonesia and Thailand alongside our CEO Eva Zabey and Global Advocacy Lead, Aisyah Firoz was more than just a series of meetings to discuss our recently launched updated strategy and how we can deepen our work across Asia; it was a hugely inspiring dive into a region embracing the urgency of nature action. This journey felt incredibly timely, a direct continuation of our refreshed strategy to support national implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
The whole Asia Pacific economy depends on nature, with over half being highly or moderately dependent. However a PwC-AIGCC report underscores that the state of nature in Asia is deteriorating at an alarming pace, with ecosystem health estimated to have declined by 55% since 1970 – an unprecedented loss in human history. This decline in ecosystem health underscores the urgent need to strengthen nature protection efforts across the region.
Kicking off our national implementation project with IBCSD, alongside government and business stakeholders
Indonesia: kicking off a collaborative journey
Our trip began in the vibrant and sprawling city of Jakarta, Indonesia, on the International Day for Biological Diversity. Here we kicked off a new national implementation project with our coalition partner, the Indonesia Business Council for Sustainable Development (IBCSD), to strengthen collaboration between businesses and governments.
The ultimate goal is to co-develop a Business and Biodiversity Action Plan – a living document which we hope will be game-changer in helping implement the Global Biodiversity Framework and ensure Indonesia’s rich biodiversity thrives alongside its economy. I was incredibly heartened by the strong commitment from both the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of National Development Planning; they truly grasp the critical role of business. It’s also worth noting Indonesia’s National Biodiversity Plan (NBSAP), published this year, explicitly targets increased transparency and reduced negative impacts from the private sector by 2030 – a clear signal of intent.
Productive conversations in Jakarta with April Group and Sintesa Group on driving nature action
Rising business voices and emerging trends
During our meetings with leading companies like Sintesa Group, April Group, PT PLN (Persero) and PT Pertamina (Persero), a common message resonated: nature is no longer a 'nice-to-have' but a strategic imperative for long-term business resilience. What really stood out was that businesses are seeking policy clarity and regulatory alignment to act with greater confidence.
Meanwhile, the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC), which has identified Indonesia as one of its priority countries, is actively working to help investors better understand their exposure to nature-related risks and their role in advancing a nature-positive future. This feels like an early but important indicator that expectations from investors and financial institutions around biodiversity action are set to rise, which will undoubtedly drive greater corporate transparency and accountability across the region.
Shifting dialogue
Indonesia, as one of the world’s most megadiverse countries, faces unique challenges, with Jakarta ranked as the city facing the highest environmental risk globally. This reality underscores the need for accelerated action. Yet, there’s a sense of real momentum from both government and business for capacity building, particularly in understanding how nature, climate, energy and water risks are interconnected. With excitement building ahead of the Indonesia International Sustainability Forum later this year, I sense a welcome shift towards putting nature on equal footing with climate in policy and investment dialogues.
Rising ambition in Thailand
Our trip then took us to Thailand, another biodiversity hotspot and a member of the High Ambition Coalition for 30x30. Here, too, nature is rising on the corporate agenda. Businesses are increasingly exploring the intersection of environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities with biodiversity, climate action, circular economy, and innovative finance mechanisms such as payments for ecosystem services, biodiversity credits and carbon credits.
Our discussions in Bangkok with the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), and the Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office (BEDO) confirmed that government agencies are proactively working to strengthen business understanding and engagement on nature. BEDO, in particular, is championing the High-Level Business Action on Nature ACT-D (Assess, Commit, Transform, Disclose) to raise awareness and provide companies with concrete steps to take meaningful action.
Business for Nature at the TEI–TBCSD–BEDO event on “Business for Biodiversity” in Thailand
Strong policy signals
Thailand’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2023–2027 encourages voluntary biodiversity-related disclosure from companies listed in the Stock Exchange of Thailand’s SET50 index - aiming for at least 20% participation in the near term and 30% by 2030. Complementing this, Thailand has developed a Biodiversity Finance Plan (2023–2027) to mobilize $200 million for conservation over the next five years.
These voluntary biodiversity disclosure requirements for top-listed companies offer a strategic opportunity, and it’s encouraging to see supportive policy measures like the recent land tax exemption for privately owned mangrove forests. This aims at protecting fertile wetlands from agricultural conversion, signal a growing alignment of incentives. There’s also strong interest in scaling pre-competitive collaboration and supporting companies engaged in ecosystem restoration.
Perhaps one of the most memorable moments was our visit to Toyota Motor Thailand, Co. Ltd.'s Biodiversity and Sustainability Learning Center at the Ban Pho Plant. Building on its 96,000 square-meter Toyota Biotope, now a thriving habitat for native species, it’s a place for education and conservation. Hearing directly from companies like SCG Solutions(Thailand) Ltd., Electricity Generating Public Company Limited (EGCO), and Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd., it was encouraging to see businesses taking tangible steps on nature and echoing a common message: you don’t need to have it all figured out to start. Taking the first step matters, and momentum builds from there. It’s a sentiment that perfectly captures the spirit of the whole trip.
“You don’t need to have it all figured out to start. Taking the first step matters, and momentum builds from there”
A future rooted in nature
From Jakarta to Bangkok, one thing is clear: there is a growing appetite for action, partnership, and leadership on nature. Why? Because especially in these megadiverse, precious parts of the planet, protecting, restoring and sustainability using nature presents a fantastic opportunity for resilient economies, healthy societies and thriving businesses. This is our moment to build on that momentum — to encourage and build the capacity of businesses to embed nature into their strategies, and to support governments in shaping national Business and Biodiversity Action Plans. Such plans can provide a clear, coordinated direction for companies, helping deliver on the promise of a nature-positive economy.
For more information about our work in Asia – contact the Business for Nature team at contact@businessfornature.org