IPI impACT Conference

Accelerating practical action

The science, policy, and practice of Nature-Based Solutions
 
12 November 2019, 8:30 AM - 17:30 PM  |  Paris

It is widely acknowledged that the world’s natural resources and ecosystem services are being degraded and lost at an alarming rate. Moreover, resource scarcity is becoming one of the fundamental drivers for many corporate sustainability initiatives. Forward-thinking businesses recognize the value of investing in nature and healthy ecosystems along and beyond their value chains to future-proof business operations.
 
Tackling the climate crisis and the loss of nature requires urgent action and an integrated approach with Nature-Based Solutions taking a central role. Nature-Based Solutions can provide around one-third of the climate solution, whilst restoring biodiversity, improving livelihoods, and creating resilience to climate change. They are an essential component of the overall global effort to achieve the ambition of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. 
 
The International Platform for Insetting invites you to a one-day, free conference that is designed to accelerate practical action by companies investing in nature. Join us on November 12 in Paris to:

  • Discuss the role of the Planetary Boundaries as a science-based framework for businesses to guide strategies and investments
  • Learn about the aim of the new Business for Nature coalition to call on governments to provide the right policy signals to scale up business action
  • Hear about the latest science of impactful nature-based approaches and how these can be linked to business strategies
  • Gain valuable insights from companies such as Kering, Nespresso, Chanel, and Pierre Fabre investing in nature to achieve corporate sustainability goals
  • Identify and discuss in an interactive session the principles to net-zero climate commitments and claims within the corporate sector
  • Engage and connect with peers, experts, and key stakeholders

AGENDA
8:30
Registration 
9:00
Welcome Note 

Insetting - a strategic mechanism to scale-up Nature-Based Solutions and to build a climate-resilient and regenerative business model.

A conversation about Nespresso’s journey of building a climate-resilient and regenerative supply chain with the help of Nature-Based Solutions. 

Speakers:
Sandra Brandt, Director, International Platform for Insetting
Julie Reneau, Sustainability Strategy and Stakeholder Relationship Manager, Nespresso
9:45
Linking the Planetary Boundaries to business
 
The majority of companies today are seeking to reduce their environmental impacts, increase resource efficiency and mitigate risks from climate change. However, decisions to take action are being made without any real knowledge of what is actually sustainable in a finite global system. Businesses increasingly call for science-based targets to guide investments and performance indicators along the value chain. Scientifically, the Planetary Boundaries framework is the natural next step to guide a new approach to sustainable business models.

In this session, we will evaluate how the Planetary Boundaries can help businesses to guide strategies and investments and we will take a look into the latest developments of science-based targets beyond climate. 

Panelists:
Dr. Jonathan Ekstrom, Founder and Managing Director, The Biodiversity Consultancy
Dr. Cath Tayleur, Acting Senior Programme Manager – Natural Capital, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
Yoann Regent, Sustainable Sourcing, Biodiversity & Animal Welfare, Kering

Moderator:
Sandra Brandt, Director, International Platform for Insetting
10:45
Networking Break
11:15
Accounting for Nature-Based Solutions and gaining recognition for investments in healthy ecosystems in the context of claiming carbon neutrality
 
Some companies are starting to set long-term net-zero commitments that reflect an aspiration to radically transform their businesses and to develop new business models that create value without generating greenhouse gas emissions. Several efforts have been undertaken to navigate the implications of the transition towards a net-zero economy for businesses. Despite the number of resources available, carbon neutrality is a concept that remains ambiguous in the corporate context, interpreted in various, sometimes conflicting ways.

In this interactive session, we will identify and discuss a set of principles to inform the development of a common framework that drives ambition while ensuring scientific accuracy, environmental robustness, credibility and rigor to net-zero climate commitments and claims within the corporate sector.

Moderators:
Owen Hewlett, Chief Technical Officer, Gold Standard
Alexander Farsan, Global Lead Science-based Targets, WWF
Sandra Genee, Director of Business Development, SustainCERT
13:00
Lunch Break
13:45
Introducing the Business for Nature coalition
 
World leaders have an opportunity in 2020 to contribute to the development of an international agreement to reverse nature loss similar to the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. The Business for Nature coalition will bring an aggregated business voice to the negotiations, calling on governments to adopt a new deal for nature and people that would provide the policy signals that are necessary to scale up business action.

In this session, we will introduce the Business for Nature coalition and discuss how companies can get involved. 

Speakers:
Eva Zabey, Executive Director, Business for Nature coalition
14:15
From landside to seaside – the role of coastal and marine ecosystem conservation for climate strategies
 
Coastal ecosystems are some of the most productive on Earth. They provide us with essential ecosystem services, such as coastal protection from storms and nursery grounds for fish. We also know that they provide another integral service – sequestering and storing "blue" carbon from the atmosphere and oceans and hence are an essential piece of the solution to global climate change.

In this session, we will discuss how valuing the oceans and investing in marine and coastal ecosystems can be integrated into business strategies to build climate resilience and to drive positive impact towards the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Panelists:
Laurent Bopp, Professeur Attaché, Department de Géosciences, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris
Guy Morgan, Global Director CSR, CHANEL
Alexandre Panel, Agronomist, Quality and Sustainable Supply Chain Manager, Pierre Fabre

Moderator:
Vincent Rabaron, Deputy Director, PUR Projet
15:15
Networking Break
15:45
Re-connecting people with nature 

An interactive session facilitated together with Helly Hansen, Mammut, The European Outdoor Group and AIR Coop
17:15
Wrap-Up 

Speakers of the different sessions will share their key takeaways of the day. 
17:30
End

Please note that this conference is fully booked. If you would like to join the conference and you are not registered yet, please contact Sandra.Brandt@insettingplatform.com as there might be last-minute free seats become available. 
 

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