Business is the engine that drives global economic growth. But what if companies — from small-scale farming co-ops to the world’s largest corporations — were also conservation champions?
For more than three decades, Conservation International has worked collaboratively across industries to change the way the world does business, helping the world’s companies take bold steps toward sustainability that benefit people, the planet and their bottom lines.
OUR ROLE
We believe that corporations have a responsibility not only to embrace environmentally and socially responsible business practices, but to invest in the conservation of the nature their businesses depend upon.
We work within and across sectors, in collaboration with companies and industry associations, to achieve large-scale impact, to align the market with environmentally friendly policies, and to help businesses adopt more sustainable production practices.
Our corporate engagements enable businesses to undertake three critical steps:
By the numbers
6.9 million hectares
Through corporate engagements, we have helped ensure protection or improved management of 6.9 million hectares (more than 17 million acres) — an area about the size of Ireland.
Our solutions
Improving industry practices
Even the most conscientious business has an impact on the planet. Conservation International challenges and collaborates with companies, enabling them to improve their business practices and to invest in conservation — so that the world continues to have access to the resources we need to grow our global economy without destroying the environment. We help companies in agribusiness, retail, and food and consumer products develop and apply practical tools that integrate conservation principles into business decisions. We also help companies create incentives for widespread adoption of good farming and landscape planning to protect and restore healthy ecosystems.
READ MORE: BHP Alliance
READ MORE: Conservation International and Walmart
Promoting sustainable sourcing
Everything you buy has a source, and often, that source comes from nature. We work with corporate leaders and industry associations to help ensure those sources are sustainable. Our work is helping to preserve the forests, fresh water, oceans and other natural resources that people need to survive. Our sustainable coffee team, for example, works with collaborators from field to market to support a new paradigm for coffee, from growing and distribution, to promoting demand for this sustainable commodity.
We do this type of work with Starbucks and Unilever.
READ MORE: Sustainable Coffee Challenge
READ MORE: Partnership with Starbucks Coffee Company
READ MORE: Sustainable Palm Oil
READ MORE: Engagement with Unilever
Innovating with leaders to advance corporate sustainability
Our Catapult Collaborative (Catapult) is a forum for companies dedicated to advancing innovation in corporate sustainability. Catapult, composed of members representing a range of industries and more than 3 million employees, provides thought leadership and science, practical experience from the field and shared best practices across corporations and cultures.
Donate
Donate to Conservation International to protect all the parts of nature we can’t live without.
