In the same week that the UN General Assembly has adopted its 75th declaration that recognises the urgent need for Member States to act to protect our planet and build back better, Breedon has joined more than 560 companies worldwide to urge governments to adopt policies now to reverse nature loss in this decade through the following statement: “Healthy societies, resilient economies and thriving businesses rely on nature. Governments must adopt policies now to reverse nature loss in this decade. Together let's protect, restore and sustainably use our natural resources.”

Business for Nature’s Call to Action is the first time that so many businesses have stepped forward with the ambition of influencing discussions in the run-up to delivering a Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.  It follows recent and widespread calls from conservation, development and humanitarian organisations, faith groups, cities, indigenous peoples and youth groups for more ambitious action on nature to protect human and planetary health.

More than 560 businesses from 54 countries, employing 9.5 million people and across all sectors are calling on governments to act by putting nature front and centre of policymaking. Without doing so, Business for Nature stresses that we simply will not be able to meet the 1.5C climate target set out in the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015 or prevent a catastrophic loss of biodiversity.

Breedon’s Group Head of Sustainability, Donna Hunt, commented: “Nature and climate change are intricately linked and we can’t solve the one issue without considering the other.  Our industry has made a commitment to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050 and nature is one of our greatest allies in tackling climate change.

“We rely on nature-based solutions to help stabilise our climate, actively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and lock it away in soils, wetlands, trees and vegetation.

“So whilst we’re obviously focused on driving a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, we must also look after nature and create healthy habitats, restore forests, enhance soil, improve biodiversity and water ecosystems to help alleviate the impact on our planet.  That’s why we are proud to have joined with some of the world’s leading companies to support Business for Nature.”

Video: Nature is Everyone’s Business - why we need policies to reverse nature loss

About Breedon Group

Breedon Group plc is a leading construction materials group in Great Britain and Ireland, employing over 3,500 people.  In addition to being a signatory to Business For Nature’s Call to Action, Breedon is also an active member of the Global Cement & Concrete Association, having made a strong commitment to the five pillars of sustainability contained in the GCCA’s Sustainability Charter and associated guidelines: health & safety, climate change & energy, social responsibility, environment & nature, and the circular economy.