Using conservation science to advance corporate biodiversity accountability
Prue F E Addison1, Joseph W Bull2,3, E J Milner-Gulland1
1Department of Zoology, Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, U.K.
Summary
Most large companies disclose biodiversity actions but lack specific commitments and measurable outcomes. Conservation science engagement is crucial for effective corporate biodiversity accountability and a sustainable future.
Area of Science:
- Corporate sustainability
- Biodiversity conservation
- Environmental reporting
Background:
- Global economies and societies face threats from biodiversity declines.
- Businesses are increasingly acknowledging their impact and reporting on biodiversity in sustainability reports.
- Assessing corporate biodiversity accountability is vital for sustainable development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the extent of corporate biodiversity accountability within the Fortune 100 companies.
- To identify the nature and specificity of biodiversity commitments and disclosed activities.
- To highlight the gap between corporate actions and measurable biodiversity outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of sustainability reports from the top 100 Fortune Global companies (2016).
- Assessed the mention of biodiversity, clarity of commitments, and types of disclosed activities.
- Examined the use of quantitative indicators and reported biodiversity outcomes.
Main Results:
- 49% of Fortune 100 companies mentioned biodiversity; 31% made commitments, but only 5 were specific, measurable, and time-bound.
- While various biodiversity activities were reported, only 9 companies used quantitative indicators.
- No companies reported quantitative biodiversity outcomes, hindering assessment of impact mitigation and conservation success.
Conclusions:
- Current corporate biodiversity accountability is limited by vague commitments and a lack of measurable outcomes.
- Conservation science can guide businesses toward science-based commitments, meaningful indicators, and effective impact mitigation.
- Urgent engagement between conservation scientists and businesses is needed to foster a nature-positive sustainable future.
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