The Way Forward: 7 Milestones to Build On in 2019

2. Global Climate Action Summit Energises the World

Thousands of leaders and people from around the world convened in San Francisco, California for the Global Climate Action Summit to work together in accelerating action on climate change. This summit not only highlighted the importance of local leaders in global climate action, it also marked a turning point in the recognition of nature’s importance for solving climate change—driven in no small part by the work of the Nature4Climate coalition, of which TNC is a member.

Tackling climate change will require collaborative and transformative action at all levels and in all sectors of society. Recognising this, over 500 commitments were made at the Global Climate Action Summit by government leaders, businesses, regional groups, and major investors. Now we need to build on this momentum and drive even more significant commitments and greater implementation of natural climate solutions.

3. Micronesia Sets the Standard for 100% Transparency in Fisheries

Marking a major milestone for global fisheries management, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), supported by The Nature Conservancy, announced a shift to 100% transparency for its globally-significant tuna fishery, and challenged its fellow Pacific Island nations to follow suit.

It’s a courageous step by FSM President Peter Christian that deserves to be celebrated. FSM and its peers in the Pacific are small nations population-wise, but they are powerhouses in the global fishing industry. This commitment is an example of the action that needs to be taken by leaders around the world—transparency is key to implementing the sustainable fishing practices we need to ensure we protect marine biodiversity and maintain the fishing stocks the world depends on for food. 

4. Techstars Launches the Sustainability Accelerator

The Techstars Sustainability Accelerator in partnership with The Nature Conservancy launched the inaugural class of the three-month Sustainability Accelerator program in mid-2018. The mentorship-based program based in Denver, Colorado helps entrepreneurs scale technology designed to address our food, water and climate challenges.

In just one year of the Sustainability Accelerator we’ve already seen smart solutions that will help us to make fisheries more sustainable, quantify the economic benefits of nature, create better software to support battery storage for renewable energy, and harness the power of data to improve water quality and quantity. I encourage all entrepreneurs with commercially viable sustainable technologies to apply to our next Techstars Sustainability Accelerator class. Because if we are to successfully achieve a sustainable future, we must harness the innovation and rapid development of the tech sector to find smart solutions to the growing challenges we are facing.

5. Mexico to Pioneer an Insurance Policy for Nature

A public-private investment partnership will fund the ongoing maintenance and reconstruction of reefs and beaches along a portion of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. It’s a smart, proactive investment in nature’s protective capacity. But the real milestone is the purchase of an insurance policy to fund restoration of the reef—a first-of-its kind insurance-for-nature policy that represents a win for conservation, for the community and for Mexico's eonomy

The example in Mexico demonstrates how novel insurance products can be created to protect natural resources. In the wake of storms, it pays to restore the reefs that provide protection to shorelines. It’s an idea that has the potential to be scaled-up to protect coastal communities around the world that are threatened by rising sea levels and increasing severe storms.

6. Mongolia Protects Nature at Scale

In 2018, TNC celebrated 10 years of conservation in Mongolia. Since The Nature Conservancy began working in Mongolia in 2008, we have been working with the Mongolian government and partners to help protect and sustainably manage 120 million acres—fully 30% of the country—by 2030. This achievement in Mongolia is particularly important because grasslands are the planet’s least protected and most altered terrestrial habitat; only 5% of the world’s remaining grasslands are protected.

To ensure these lands remain protected, we are working with communities to help them gain secure access to their grazing lands, implement sustainable practices and improve their incomes from food and fiber production (e.g., yak and camel wool). We’re also working with partners in government and industry to ensure that when development happens, it’s in the right way and in the right places, demonstrating how our "Development by Design" approach can benefit people, nature and business. When the nations of the world meet in 2020 on biodiversity, this continued work in Mongolia will stand as an example of how people and nature can thrive sustainably.

7. Scientists Prove We Can Still Have a Sustainable Future

Last but not least, The Nature Conservancy, together with the University of Minnesota and 11 other institutions, analysed the feasibility of advancing major conservation goals while meeting the demands of population and economic growth in 2050. The research paper, “An Attainable Global Vision for Conservation and Human Well-Being,” presents a scientific test of a vision for the future where thriving human communities and abundant, healthy ecosystems coexist. 

The research makes it clear: with the global population expected to grow to 10 billion by 2050, if we stay on today’s “business-as-usual” path, this growth and the accompanying demand on our natural resources could lead to major biodiversity loss, catastrophic climate change and a growing number of other environmental challenges. The good news is that the research shows us there is still hope for a brighter future if we make significant progress on the path to sustainability in the next 10 years.