Intensive ESR Training for Consultants

WRI’s recent Intensive Corporate Ecosystem Services Review (ESR) Training for Consultants series built ESR expertise in the global sustainable business consulting field.

Click for information on:

• Attendees
• Background
• Summary of Agenda

Attendees

Over 45 consultants from 7 countries and 25 organizations attended intensive ESR trainings in early 2009. Consultants with expertise in the ESR now include:

Background

The ESR is a structured methodology that helps managers develop strategies to manage risk and opportunities arising from their companies’ dependence and impacts on ecosystems. Since its launch in March 2008, over forty corporations have used the ESR and scores of others are gearing-up to use the methodology. As a result, demand for trained consultants is on the rise.

To help close this gap, WRI held a two separate two day training events to bring leading corporate consultants up to date on the latest thinking on how to integrate ecosystem services into corporate decision making. The first was held in Washington, DC in February. The second training was held in Sweden in April, in collaboration with Albaeco and Stockholm University’s Stockholm Resilience Center.

Summary of Agenda

The two-day trainings discussed global trends of ecosystem services, the importance of ecosystem services to corporate strategy, and the ESR methodology. The trainings described in detail several of the ESR’s recent applications, including:

• Akzo Nobel used the ESR to inform factory locations (presented by Christina Hillforth, Director of Eka Techonologies)

• BC Hydro uses ecosystem services in stakeholder dialogues

• Michelin is making manufacturing more sustainable by conducting ESRs at 10 factory sites throughout Europe (presented by Marc Duvenuir, Manager at Michelin)

• Mondi’s ESR has helped the company cut costs and solidify its future license to operate by identifying new strategies for its South Africa operations

• Sveaskog, Sweden’s largest forestry company and landowner, explored market opportunities for ecosystem services

• Syngenta used the ESR to examine new market opportunities in India and developed several interesting strategies in response to the Review.