In a significant stride towards halting and reversing nature loss by 2030, as mandated by the landmark Global Biodiversity Framework, Chile has emerged as a frontrunner in public-private collaboration. The nation recently launched its groundbreaking Business Action Plan on Biodiversity, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Latin America that formalizes the crucial role of the private sector in achieving national biodiversity targets. This innovative plan, unveiled on March 25, 2025, after eight months of intensive collaboration between the Chilean government and leading national companies, offers a compelling blueprint for other nations striving to engage businesses in the transition towards nature-positive economies.
The Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted by 196 countries at the UN Convention on Biodiversity (COP15) in December 2022, explicitly recognizes the private sector as a key player in tackling the escalating global biodiversity crisis. Hailed as nature’s “Paris moment,” the framework’s ambitious goals now require concrete action at the national level. However, progress has been sluggish, with only a fraction of countries having revised their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to clearly incorporate the role of business.
Against this backdrop, Chile’s proactive approach stands out. Recognizing the urgency and the necessity of private sector involvement, the Chilean government, led by the Ministry of the Environment and in close partnership with Acción Empresas, the country’s largest corporate sustainability network, embarked on a collaborative journey. This initiative brought together representatives from six key ministries – Environment, Agriculture, Economy, Urban Development, Finance, and Energy – alongside companies spanning vital sectors of the national economy.
Key Lessons from Chile’s Innovative Approach:
Chile’s success in forging this pioneering Business Action Plan offers valuable lessons for other nations seeking to harness the power of the private sector for biodiversity conservation:
Early and Meaningful Engagement: From the outset, Chile prioritized the inclusion of businesses. A dedicated Business Advisory Group, comprising 14 leading companies, was established to directly inform the government’s approach to integrating the private sector into national biodiversity targets. This early engagement, facilitated by Acción Empresas and guided by the global coalition Business for Nature, fostered a sense of ownership and trust. Extensive roundtables, workshops across Chile’s regions, and a comprehensive communication strategy ensured broad understanding and participation from diverse businesses. Crucially, the involved ministries invested time in collaboratively defining a shared mission with the private sector before moving towards implementation.
Articulating a Clear Business Value Proposition: The Chilean government astutely positioned biodiversity not as a separate environmental concern but as an integral pillar of corporate sustainability and long-term business resilience. By clearly outlining the tangible benefits of nature action – such as mitigating operational risks, enhancing preparedness for evolving disclosure requirements, and bolstering stakeholder trust – the government effectively secured buy-in from the business community. Furthermore, explicitly linking corporate efforts to the overarching goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework underscored the strategic value of integrating biodiversity into business operations at both micro and macro levels.
Establishing Robust Governance and Accountability Mechanisms: Clear roles and responsibilities were defined from the outset between the Business Advisory Group and the government, making governance and accountability central to the initiative. The establishment of a public-private working group, which convened regularly throughout the eight-month development process, proved instrumental in identifying critical gaps and priority sectors for the Action Plan. This fostered transparent communication, with the government actively addressing business concerns and showcasing best practices to encourage wider adoption. Importantly, this working group, which also includes NGOs, academia, and other relevant stakeholders, is designed as a long-term coordination mechanism to ensure ongoing review and adaptation of the plan beyond 2030.
Momentum Building Towards a Nature-Positive Future:
Early indicators suggest a growing momentum for corporate action on nature within Chile. Prior to the launch of the Business Action Plan, three members of the Business Advisory Group – Arauco (a forestry company), Colbun SA (an energy company), and Empresas CMPC (a pulp and paper company) – had already published their nature strategies through the global “It’s Now for Nature” campaign. These companies are setting new benchmarks for ambition and accountability, inspiring other Chilean businesses to follow suit.
Currently in its pilot phase, the focus is now on encouraging widespread adoption of the Business Action Plan across all sectors of the Chilean economy. Acción Empresas is intensifying its awareness-raising efforts through various media channels to build nationwide momentum.
Chile’s Minister of Environment, Maisa Rojas Corrad, acknowledged the challenges of mainstreaming biodiversity across diverse sectors but expressed optimism about the growing interest from Chilean companies to actively participate in the solution. She highlighted the collaborative spirit between the public and private sectors in transitioning towards sustainable business models that enhance nature through innovative approaches.
As the global community recognizes 2025 as a pivotal year for accelerating action on nature, Chile’s pioneering efforts offer timely inspiration and practical guidance for governments worldwide seeking to forge effective partnerships with businesses. By setting a clear path towards building nature-positive economies by 2030, Chile is not only leading by example in Latin America but also establishing a potential global standard for public-private collaboration in the critical mission to safeguard and restore biodiversity.
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