Carbon and Water Challenges ahead for Sustainable Forests Geneva, 4 June 2009 - Sustainability in the forest sector was about much more than forests, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development's James Griffiths told an international seminar in Lisbon, Portugal, this week.

WBCSD Homes in on Ecosystem Valuation Geneva, 25 May 2009 - Biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and the resulting reduction in availability of essential ecosystem services are critical and pressing issues that need to be addressed by everyone, including business, if we are to achieve sustainable development.

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The WBCSD on Ecosystems

Wise use of the world's natural resources is a theme underlying much of the WBCSD's work. The value of the ecosystem services that nature provides for free has been estimated to be almost twice the value of society's economic activities.

But if prices do not reflect the true worth of the earth, the global commons will be squandered – we do not protect what we do not value.

The dilemma of how to manage ecosystems must be addressed. Who is to pay for ecosystem services, and are there business opportunities to be found in responsible stewardship of such services? How can the capacity of markets contribute to sustainable ecosystems management and use of services?

The WBCSD's Ecosystem Focus Area will provides a credible engagement and collaboration platform to address challenges and opportunities associated with ecosystems and ecosystem services. It will build on the work of the WBCSD's Sustaining Ecosystems Initiative (SEI).

The Focus Area will support the business license of member companies to operate, innovate and grow by proactively addressing business risks associated with accelerating ecosystem degradation and the loss of ecosystem services.

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