IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

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

The 4-year agreement aimed for the two organizations to work 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
• Help develop, test and promote the use of market-orientated strategies and business actions that support sustainable management of natural resources.

Outcomes:

• Agricultural ecosystems – Facts and Trends (2008)
  
  
• Business and Ecosystems – Markets for Ecosystem Services (2007)
  
  
• Business and Ecosystems – Issue brief (2007)
  
  
• Secondment of an IUCN staff (Mikkel Kallesoe)  as Program Manager in WBCSD Ecosystems Focus Area. His main duties include providing content and facilitating overall program design and implementation. (from 1 November 2007)
   
• WBCSD active presence at the 2008 World Conservation Congress in Barcelona through the presence of many members and the WBCSD Pavilion
   
• Release of Buy, Sell and Trade!, a free game on ecosystem services (2008)

IUCN and the 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) 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 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.