2023 offered a mixed bag for sustainability. While economic anxieties dominated the news cycle, significant strides were made in recognising the interconnectedness of environmental and financial well-being.
2023 was another eventful year. Headlines were dominated by inflation, rising interest rates, and geopolitical tensions. These crucial issues, however, may have overshadowed progress on climate change, nature, and social inequality. The year marked the halfway point for the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the news is concerning – we are a long way from achieving these targets by 2030.
However, there were bright spots amid the gloom. The UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai (COP28) drew significant interest, almost matching COP21 in Paris in terms of attendee numbers. Importantly, the link between nature and climate received greater attention, with COP28 dedicating a whole day to nature for the first time.
This growing focus on nature continued in September with the launch of the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN), the nature equivalent of carbon reporting, and the Task Force for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), which helps companies assess their impact on nature. Notably, TNFD garnered more interest in its first few months than the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures did in its first year and a half. This suggests that despite a perceived de-prioritisation of environmental issues, companies are recognising the value of understanding their dependence on nature.
To reflect this progress, UBP's annual Impact Report highlights its investments in the "nature space" and the vital role of stakeholders in academia, conservation, business, and culture. Our first nature-focused event in November 2023 served as a platform for these crucial voices.
While challenges remain, 2023 showed a growing recognition of the urgent need to address environmental issues alongside pressing economic concerns.
Find out more in our Impact Report 2023. You can access the report here:
