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Article
Green Enterprises and Nature Based SolutionsBy Edina Nuwasasira (Owner of a Local Green Enterprise dealing in apiary/bee keeping) and Amumpiire Anna (Research Fellow, ACODE)Nature-Based Enterprises (NBEs) are private or third sector organisations that place nature at the core of their business. Driven by environmental and societal goals, the success of such enterprises is of high importance to realise the potential of Nature Based Solutions (NbS) and contribute to addressing the twin climate change and biodiversity crises we face.1 NBEs are defined as enterprises that use nature either directly or indirectly. Nature may be used directly by growing, harnessing, harvesting or restoring natural resources in a sustainable way and/or indirectly by contributing to the planning, delivery or stewardship of NBS. It should be noted that Nature-based enterprises (NBEs) have recently emerged as important actors in the delivery of nature-based solutions to societal challenges. Nature-based solutions such as green spaces, parks, forests, and blue-green infrastructure generate multiple benefits—from reduced temperatures to mitigation against flooding—while simultaneously helping to increase the health and well-being of urban citizens, amongst other benefits. A nature-based enterprise should consequently contribute positively to biodiversity and ecosystem services. Importance of Nature Based EnterprisesResearch shows that nature-based enterprises are a source of both high-tech and low-skilled jobs. These enterprises are also aligned with the goal of the just transition to a nature-positive, carbon neutral and equitable economy. The increased involvement of private sector and community organisations in delivering NbS has the potential to contribute to long-term sustainable economic development in harmony with nature. They are a cost-effective way of addressing climate change while also addressing biodiversity and land degradation. Case study of Nature Based Enterprise2Challenges of Nature Based EnterprisesLack of funding/support in the public and private sector for NbS approaches. The UNEP State of Finance for Nature report (2021) estimates that current investment in NbS globally is approximately $133 billion annually. However, to meet climate change, biodiversity and land degradation targets, the UNEP calls for a tripling of investment by 2030 and a quadrupling of investment in NbS by 2050. The World Economic Forum (2020) provides economic justification for increased investment in nature. It further quantifies that over half of the global GDP, $44 trillion, is potentially threatened by nature loss while the transition to a nature-positive economy could create 395 million jobs by 2030. The absence of a regulatory framework/incentives to stimulate take-up of NbS Lack of evidence of the effectiveness of NbS remains a major obstacle that is compounded by a lack of knowledge on how to measure the multiple impacts of NbS Limited partnerships among the local green enterprises carrying out apiary/beekeeping to facilitate knowledge exchange among the enterprises and also share production costs when need arises The high level of informality among the local green enterprises implementing nature based solutions limits them from accessing financing for scale up of activities hence remain small and rudimentary Low competition at international level due to quality and branding concerns of the honey and bee products hence low market acceptance at the international level Recommendations
Endnotes1 Mcquaid S.; Kooijman E.; Thomas Andersson.T; Schanté. J; The Vital Role of Nature-Based Solutions in a Nature Positive Economy, p.212 Member of the Green Economy Enterprises Association. The Association is constituted of Local Green Enterprises along the Rwizi Catchment carrying out nature-based activities including bee keeping, briquette making, bamboo growing, recycling of waste, and manufacturing of interlocking bricks among others. |
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