How to effectively engage with national governments to support an ambitious National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) update process

 

At COP15, in December 2022, 195 countries and the European Union adopted the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).  It is the first time in a multilateral agreement that governments have been so explicit about what they expect from businesses when it comes to tackling nature loss. It recognizes that businesses play an integral role in protecting, restoring and sustainably using nature. 

 
 

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) are action plans developed by governments to implement the GBF. However, this implementation will be unsuccessful without a whole-of-society approach. Businesses and financial institutions therefore have a responsibility to act now. They should urgently assess and disclose their nature-related risks, impacts and dependencies and transform their business to reduce negative impacts and increase positive impacts in line with the mission to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030.  

This guide aims to support business associations and business networks in their engagement with national governments on the implementation of the GBF. The objective is to ensure updated NBSAPs reflect the ambition of the framework and clearly outline the roles and responsibilities businesses and financial institutions will be expected to play to support the effective implementation of the GBF.  

In this guide you will find recommendations for how to effectively engage with governments and businesses in the process of updating NBSAPs, including an introduction to NBSAPs and why they are important for businesses, as well as six concrete activities you can do together with governments: 

  1. Engage with relevant government authorities to understand the NBSAP update process 

  2. Define the scope of collaboration 

  3. Establish a Leading Business Advisory Group 

  4. Raise awareness amongst business on the GBF and NBSAPs 

  5. Support your government in developing an NBSAPs that outlines the role and responsibility of business 

  6. Engage all stakeholders through transparent consultation 

Spanish and French versions will soon be available. 

 

 
 
 
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