Submitted by E.M. Williams on Wed, 11/02/2015 - 17:33
17 February 2015 – The Natural Capital Leaders Platform member businesses have collaborated in producing a report that underlines natural capital challenges and the potential business opportunities from appropriate management responses and investments.
The call to action is included in a 'must-read' report launched by CISL on 17 February 2015, targeting international companies that rely heavily on 'natural capital' – natural resources such as water, soil and timber, that underpin global supply chains and provide commercial value.
Through collaboration with household names including Nestlé, Asda and Mars, the CISL report also sheds light on the different responses businesses are already making to enhance natural capital, and where they are generating business benefits.
Last month, the UK Government’s independent advisory body, the Natural Capital Committee, warned that the decline of the country’s natural environment is harming the economy. The CISL report says this has implications for businesses, not only in the UK but globally, as environmental degradation increases worldwide.
Through innovative thinking, CISL hopes to build the business case for companies to manage the natural capital throughout their operations and supply chains more sustainably.
"Retail, at its heart, is meeting our customers’ needs for now and for the future. We rely on products which in turn rely on the resources underpinning our supply chains like water, soil and timber. These are under increasing pressure from weather volatility, population growth and changing consumption patterns. Businesses must show leadership on this crucial issue. As a first step, Asda is working with CISL to make more companies aware of the business case for better management of natural capital."
Andy Clarke, CEO of Asda