Under the banner of the Natural Capital Coalition, around 240 cross sectoral leaders gathered in London to launch the Natural Capital Protocol – the first ever standardized framework for business to measure and value its impacts and dependencies on natural capital. This is a huge leap forward.

All businesses now have access to cutting edge information that will improve decision-making with respect to nature, and allow evidence-based conversations about sustainability.

WBCSD is proud to have led development of the Protocol on behalf of the Natural Capital Coalition, through a consortium of nearly 30 businesses, service providers, NGOs, academics and individual experts to work towards this key sustainability milestone.

As business navigates an economy increasingly defined by the boundaries of our planet, it’s critical for us to begin seriously considering natural capital in every-day business decision-making, so that we truly can do more with less. The companies who do this will be better positioned to succeed as regulations change and natural resources diminish.

A smart business person will make efforts to live off the interest earned by corporate capital reserves, rather than devouring foundational capital – the time has come to do the same for nature. The Natural Capital Protocol does just that: it opens the pathway for us to treat our relationship with nature with the same careful consideration that we treat our finances.

Business leaders at the highest level now have the opportunity to truly improve their relationship with nature in a way that’s useful, reliable and accessible. Read more here.

Let us draw your attention to the 2016 Call for Proposal of the European Union’s LIFE Programme published recently on the European Commission’s LIFE website (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/).

LIFE is the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental, nature conservation and climate action projects. The Programme contributes approximately €63,6 million to the Climate Action Subprogramme in 2016 in all EU member states.

Project conditions:

–          Priority areas: Climate Change Mitigation, Climate Change Adaptation, Climate Governance and Information;

–          Amount of LIFE contribution available: the average grant for project varies between EUR 500,000 and 3,500,000; the maximum rate of LIFE contribution is 60% of the total budget of the project;

–          In kind contribution: minimum 40%;

–          Submission and evaluation of LIFE proposals are independent from the Hungarian Government, however at the Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of Agriculture there are appointed government officials supporting LIFE project generation (contacts available in the files attached);

–          Mode of submission: to the European Commission (EASME) via e-Proposal;

–          Deadline for submission: 7 September 2016.

Teh description can be downloaded from here.

“This is less than 10 years so we need to invest today.” – pointed out Martin Powell at the Action 2020 Hungary Forum held by BCSDH May 11, 2016.

Martin Powell, Global Head of Urban Development Siemens and previously the Mayoral Advisor on the Environment for the current Mayor of London, held a sensational introductory speech at the Action 2020 Forum of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Hungary (BCSDH). Siemens, a leading company in sustainability, hosted the event at which company leaders and professionals participated in lectures and workshops which were designed to initiate real steps down the path of creating a low-carbon-emission economy.

“Cities are unique and they all behave very differently. We have to design our infrastructure to address this uniqueness” – explained Martin Powell, adding that “Cities have a responsibility to the life and the dreams of its citizens. We must innovate to decouple growth from environmental impact to protect all people looking to build their life in the city.”

Cities must find their own intelligent approaches and solutions in a digital world. “The Smart City is the place that uses technology to manage resources more efficiently for the benefit of the citizen and society at large. The Digital City will harmonize the flow of water, energy, transport and people, maximizing choice and minimizing disruption. It will pave the way for a safer, more affordable and low carbon future.” – pointed out Martin Powell, highlighting that the Digital City should not increase unemployment, but – according to some calculations – may create ten new jobs for each one that is lost.

Another inspiring speech at the Action 2020 Hungary Forum was held by Dr. Gábor Bartus, Secretary General of the National Council for Sustainable Development, who set out a 10-point list of the current status and trends in the low-carbon-emission economy in relation to the macro environment, explaining that business solutions should be developed within this frame. Dr. Bartus pointed out that it is no longer a question whether we are following this path or not, as we are already on it, but there are numerous challenges to be faced. The consumption of natural capital is rapidly increasing and is forecasted to reach an additional 30% by 2030. “As the changes needed are beyond political cycles, the business and civil world may be the driving force of sustainability, where the most innovative solutions may be born.” – he added.

Following the historically important Paris Climate Agreement in December, climate change is again the focal point of the Action 2020 Hungary program.

“New solutions, models and at times radical changes are needed in order to meet climate change goals. The role of the business sector cannot be disputed, and increasing its positive impact is our common responsibility.” – stated Attila Chikán Jr., President of the BCSDH, raising attention to the role of the business sector. The main aim of the Action 2020 Hungary Forum is exactly this: to initiate a collaborative approach and joint effort from the business sector in order to make a real difference. Over 50 companies have already joined the program.

You can find the photos here.

Read more about Martin Powell’s lecture.

‘Effective handling of climate change is an enormous responsibility and a business opportunity at the same time.’ – explained Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, climatologist, in her presentation at BCSDH’s business breakfast, adding that ‘companies which may not be able or are not willing to seize this opportunity can easily fall behind.’

Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, vice-president of the Nobel peace prize awarded III. Workgroup investigating the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions (WGIII) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) held a sensational presentation at the business breakfast organised for BCSDH company leaders on March 22, 2016. BCSDH – with more than 70 company members, accounting for a total 30% of GDP – invited the well-known climatologist to the annual event to give the opening presentation for the Action 2020 Hungary program, which has climate change as its focus.

The presentation described the costs of the Paris climate agreement (accepted by 196 member states) and its potential impact on the economy.

‘Change of a similar nature to that which happened during the industrial revolution is needed, covering all fields of the economy. We must re-interpret consumption and growth-based paradigms.’ – explained Diana Ürge-Vorsatz. The climatologist described the Paris Climate agreement as a “miracle” that came true and an expression of the agreement and determination of the presidents of 196 countries to put the brakes on climate change. An agreement was established that the bottom-up approach and the top-down will.

Diana Ürge-Vorsatz raised attention to the need for the personal engagement and responsibility of company leaders too: ‘The key to change lies in personal charisma’. Further to switching from fossil fuels to a low carbon-energy economy, new business models that take into account damage to natural resources and that break with traditional ways of doing business need to be established. A share-based and even circular economy may be one such solution. Reaching the goal means reducing both use of energy and resources, as well as overall consumption. The dissemination of information technologies and other new technologies, as well as their application in new fields, may support this goal. New consumption habits, where quality replaces quantity, may become increasingly popular. Such initiatives have business potential for companies which can react to demand in a time of change.

‘The Paris summit did not solve the problem of climate change, of course, but it constituted a significance advance. When, following the new approach, commitments start to be met, the business sector will play a key role. BCSDH supports the business sector in reaching the goals that relate to Hungary, and intends that the sector should be the motor of national sustainability, mainly throughout its Action 2020 Hungary program.’ – explained Attila Chikán Jr., the newly elected president of the BCSDH. 

The Action 2020 Hungary program, established with the involvement of over 100 civilian, scientific and business experts, has taken up the task of identifying and inspiring business solutions that go beyond business-as-usual and that can be disseminated and upscaled as good practice to other economic players. Over 50 companies have joined the program already.

The presentation can be downloaded here.

Further information about the Action 2020 program may be obtained from here.