IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

In 2005, IUCN and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) have agreed to intensify cooperation in strengthening global efforts to protect the earth, its forests, its wetlands, its biodiversity and its vitality for human wellbeing and development.

Both IUCN and WBCSD have a common objective to enhance cooperation between business and conservation groups to foster the conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems and the essential services they deliver.

This four years agreement sees the two organizations working together to:
• Develop and promote the business case for biodiversity;
• Encourage and support NGO/private sector partnerships and
dialogues;
• Mainstream biodiversity conservation in the business operations of
WBCSD members;
• Enhance civil society understanding, recognition and support for
biodiversity leadership by business; and
• Help develop, test and promote the use of market-orientated strategies
and business actions that support sustainable management of natural
resources.

As of today, result of the cooperation include:
o Agricultural ecosystems – Facts and Trends (2008)
o Business and Ecosystems – Markets for Ecosystem Services (2007)
o Business and Ecosystems – Issue brief (2007)
o An IUCN staff (Mikkel Kallesoe) seconded (starting 1 November 2007) as Program Manager in WBCSD Ecosystems Focus Area. His main duties include providing content and facilitating overall program design and implementation.
o WBCSD active presence at the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona through the presence of many members and the WBCSD Pavilion.

IUCN and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), along with input from key stakeholders (Earthwatch Institute, World Resources Institute, Katoomba Group/Forest Trends, the US Business Council for Sustainable Development and Fundacion Entorno) have developed a free, interactive and fun game about how ecosystem markets work.

The “Buy, Sell, Trade!” game is a role-playing exercise that demonstrates the multiple benefits of preserving ecosystems for the services that they provide. Anyone can play the game, from all parts of society, from different positions, etc.

The game helps people try to make ecosystem services ‘deals',” says Björn Stigson, President of the WBCSD. “We hope it will provide insights into the many practical, political, economic, moral and accountability issues involved such ‘deals'… and where trade-offs exist.”

The game is best played over at least three hours, and that's already enough for participants to see the importance of internalizing ecosystem values that are commonly left out of the marketplace.

To read the full press release, click here.

To play, download: Trainer notes, Handouts and Presentation.

Please Note Copyrights of this game: World Business Council for Sustainable Development/International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.