A newly released Trellis report titled ‘The State of Biodiversity and Business 2024’ delves into how business leaders worldwide are addressing the impact their companies have on the ecosystems they interact with. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the steps being taken and highlights significant gaps in the corporate response to the biodiversity crisis. As corporate sustainability becomes an increasingly urgent priority, this report offers valuable insights into where businesses are succeeding—and where they are falling short—in protecting and restoring nature. Keep reading as we unpack the key findings and assess the state of corporate action on biodiversity.
The main report findings
The Trellis report reveals that while businesses are increasingly acknowledging their impacts on ecosystems, significant gaps remain in their efforts to protect biodiversity and nature. Based on a survey of 106 sustainability professionals from large and midsize companies, the report highlights trends, progress, and challenges associated with business and biodiversity strategies.
Biodiversity as a lower priority
Despite growing awareness, only a quarter of the companies surveyed treat protecting biodiversity and nature as a high priority. This contrasts sharply with two-thirds of respondents prioritising greenhouse gas emissions reductions, illustrating a more established focus on climate action over biodiversity conservation. This disparity suggests that while biodiversity is recognised as an issue, it has not yet received the same level of corporate attention as emissions reductions.
Steps taken to evaluate and address impact
Half of the companies surveyed have begun a formal evaluation of their impact on biodiversity, with another third informally considering their influence on nature. While these initial assessments are encouraging, action remains limited in scope. A quarter of the companies have started small-scale projects to mitigate their impact, while another quarter is engaged in more substantial biodiversity restoration efforts. These actions demonstrate early-stage progress but also highlight a need for broader, more comprehensive approaches.
Regional variations in biodiversity efforts
The report highlights stark regional differences in corporate responses to biodiversity challenges. In Europe, half of the companies are taking significant actions to address their impacts on ecosystems. By comparison, only one-tenth of North American companies have implemented similarly robust measures. This disparity underscores the uneven adoption of biodiversity initiatives and suggests that regional policy and cultural factors may play a significant role in driving corporate action.
Agriculture and land use lead the way
Companies relying on agricultural lands are leading the response to biodiversity challenges. Three-quarters of these businesses have taken at least some steps to protect the ecosystems they depend on. This sector-specific focus highlights the immediate connection between land use practices and biodiversity, making agriculture a key area for corporate action.
Barriers to faster progress
While some progress has been made, many sustainability professionals feel that their companies are not moving quickly enough to address biodiversity loss. Four out of five respondents believe their organisations are underperforming in preventing habitat loss and species extinction. A lack of staff and expertise was identified as a significant barrier, with over half of respondents citing these issues as constraints on their efforts to advance biodiversity initiatives.
Final thoughts
This Trellis report highlights both the growing awareness of biodiversity impacts among businesses and the significant gaps that remain in taking meaningful action. While some companies are beginning to evaluate their impact and implement small-scale projects, broader, more systemic efforts are urgently needed to address biodiversity loss effectively. Regional disparities and sector-specific challenges further underscore the need for tailored strategies to protect and restore ecosystems.
With a majority of sustainability professionals citing a lack of staff and expertise as key barriers to progress, addressing the corporate skills gap is critical. Equipping teams with the knowledge and tools to integrate biodiversity into corporate sustainability strategies can accelerate impactful action. Enrol in our Certificate in Business With Biodiversity course and empower your organisation to close the expertise gap, tackle biodiversity challenges, and become a leader in safeguarding nature.
