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Integrating biodiversity considerations into corporate strategic decision-making - Incentives and barriers in applying Science-Based Targets for Land in agri-food corporations in European context

Mammen, Marleen LU (2024) In IIIEE Master Thesis IMEM01 20241
The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Abstract
Biodiversity depletion directly impacts businesses and society by influencing ecosystem services. Despite the growing recognition of biodiversity loss as a significant crisis, many companies have not yet sufficiently integrated broader nature considerations into their strategies. The Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) aims to facilitate nature including biodiversity target setting within corporate strategic management. However, there is a limited empirical understanding of the factors influencing companies’ decisions to establish such targets. This study addresses this gap by investigating the incentives (Research Question 1) and barriers (Research Question 2) for European agri-food corporations to establish Science-Based Targets (SBTs)... (More)
Biodiversity depletion directly impacts businesses and society by influencing ecosystem services. Despite the growing recognition of biodiversity loss as a significant crisis, many companies have not yet sufficiently integrated broader nature considerations into their strategies. The Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) aims to facilitate nature including biodiversity target setting within corporate strategic management. However, there is a limited empirical understanding of the factors influencing companies’ decisions to establish such targets. This study addresses this gap by investigating the incentives (Research Question 1) and barriers (Research Question 2) for European agri-food corporations to establish Science-Based Targets (SBTs) for Land. Data was collected through a qualitative multiple case study, involving interviews with representatives of seven agri-food corporations interested in implementing SBTs for Land, and four ecosystem actors such as consultancies, Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs), and data providers. Additionally, grey literature and sustainability reports of the seven companies were analyzed. The findings reveal that the most influential incentives for implementing SBTs for Land among agri-food corporations are policies and norms, reputation (with a focus on credibility rather than image gain), stakeholder pressure from investors, and operational risk management, while mainly not considering the significant costs of inaction within the decision. The main barriers identified include metrics capability, data availability, and implementation costs for the interviewed companies. While the results do not definitively predict the successful implementation of SBTs for Land, they provide valuable insights for corporate strategy setting, SBTN developers, and policymakers regarding solutions to current barriers and the promotion of implementation through incentives. Despite remaining barriers and uncertainties, it is recommended to initiate actions towards nature including biodiversity integration. In light of this, SBTs for Nature potentially serve as a significant framework to establish standards for setting nature targets aligned with global thresholds and bridging the gap between conservation language and corporate discourse. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Mammen, Marleen LU
supervisor
organization
course
IMEM01 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Science-Based Targets for Nature, Biodiversity loss, Agri-food corporations, Land use change, Food system transformation
publication/series
IIIEE Master Thesis
report number
2024.20
ISSN
1401-9191
language
English
id
9171266
date added to LUP
2024-08-09 11:51:45
date last changed
2024-08-22 13:29:29
@misc{9171266,
  abstract     = {{Biodiversity depletion directly impacts businesses and society by influencing ecosystem services. Despite the growing recognition of biodiversity loss as a significant crisis, many companies have not yet sufficiently integrated broader nature considerations into their strategies. The Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) aims to facilitate nature including biodiversity target setting within corporate strategic management. However, there is a limited empirical understanding of the factors influencing companies’ decisions to establish such targets. This study addresses this gap by investigating the incentives (Research Question 1) and barriers (Research Question 2) for European agri-food corporations to establish Science-Based Targets (SBTs) for Land. Data was collected through a qualitative multiple case study, involving interviews with representatives of seven agri-food corporations interested in implementing SBTs for Land, and four ecosystem actors such as consultancies, Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs), and data providers. Additionally, grey literature and sustainability reports of the seven companies were analyzed. The findings reveal that the most influential incentives for implementing SBTs for Land among agri-food corporations are policies and norms, reputation (with a focus on credibility rather than image gain), stakeholder pressure from investors, and operational risk management, while mainly not considering the significant costs of inaction within the decision. The main barriers identified include metrics capability, data availability, and implementation costs for the interviewed companies. While the results do not definitively predict the successful implementation of SBTs for Land, they provide valuable insights for corporate strategy setting, SBTN developers, and policymakers regarding solutions to current barriers and the promotion of implementation through incentives. Despite remaining barriers and uncertainties, it is recommended to initiate actions towards nature including biodiversity integration. In light of this, SBTs for Nature potentially serve as a significant framework to establish standards for setting nature targets aligned with global thresholds and bridging the gap between conservation language and corporate discourse.}},
  author       = {{Mammen, Marleen}},
  issn         = {{1401-9191}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{IIIEE Master Thesis}},
  title        = {{Integrating biodiversity considerations into corporate strategic decision-making - Incentives and barriers in applying Science-Based Targets for Land in agri-food corporations in European context}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}