To mark the United Nations Environment Programme’s World Environment Day (5 June 2013), two of the key figures involved in the inaugural World Forum on Natural Capital are reminding business leaders of our common interest in protecting the environment and, in particular, the benefits of properly valuing our natural capital. 

“Today private companies, governments, economists and the financial community are striving to value our planet’s natural capital and include it in their financial and economic measurement systems.” says Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). “We at IUCN want to share our knowledge and expertise to make this process as effective as possible and the November forum will be a perfect opportunity to do this. It is in our common interest to ensure that nature is at the heart of our economic decisions.”

Jonathan Hughes, Director of Conservation at The Scottish Wildlife Trust, and IUCN Council member, added:

“Ecosystems globally are under unprecedented pressure and this is likely to increase as we head towards a population of 9 billion by 2050. Agricultural land in particular will face increasing stress as the climate changes and food production increases. Two of the most critical parts of the solution are to reduce food waste and start properly managing the natural capital on which food production ultimately depends. The Think.Eat.Save campaign marking World Environment Day urges consumers and retailers to start tackling the problem that, astonishingly, a third of all food produced is lost or wasted. We think that consumers will respond well to the call for action, and it is our aim to get businesses to do the same. 

“Properly valuing and managing our stocks of natural capital, such as fertile soil, fresh water and biodiversity, will be crucial if we are to feed the world’s population sustainably over the coming decade and beyond. In Edinburgh this November, the World Forum on Natural Capital will bring together business and sustainability leaders from across the globe to help turn the fast-evolving debate on natural capital accounting into action. On World Environment Day we would like to highlight the importance of this issue and challenge forward-thinking decision makers to grasp this opportunity to be part of the solution.”

The World Forum on Natural Capital will be held in Edinburgh on 21-22 November 2013. 

For further information: http://www.naturalcapitalforum.com/