Abstract:
In late 2022, the UN CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) will meet to adopt a post2020 global biodiversity framework which will detail how the private sector should
mainstream biodiversity into its business strategies, investments, and production systems.
The mainstreaming of biodiversity has lagged behind the carbon agenda, as evidenced in
the Green Transport Strategy for South Africa. However, both voluntary and legislated
corporate disclosures on biodiversity impact are increasing. The National Biodiversity and
Business Network (NBBN) of South Africa assists corporates in understanding their
dependencies and impacts on nature.
We discuss the main impacts of transport on African biodiversity and present the results of
the third, annual corporate biodiversity performance assessment of the Biodiversity
Disclosure Project. For 2020, 327 JSE-listed companies and 27 State-Owned Enterprises
(SOEs) were involved. The results showed that the private sector, including transport, is illequipped to achieve science-based targets and invest in biodiversity. We briefly outline
emerging measurement standards for the transport sector to become greener, not only in
energy, but biodiversity. This includes setting targets which are based on footprint
accounting, thereby contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.
