The Corporate Ecosystem Services Review: Training Event in Paris

Hosted by the World Resources Institute and INSPIRE Institut

Information & Registration

To register, contact Samantha Boluda (mailto: samantha.boluda@inspire-institut.org) +336 15 70 72 93

Registration fees: €500 per attendee

Location:

AgroParisTech 16 rue Claude Bernard 75005 Paris

Summary:

Companies depend on the services that healthy ecosystems provide such as freshwater, wood, water purification, pollination, and natural hazard protection, among others. Degradation of these “ecosystem services,” therefore, can pose a number of risks to corporate performance, as well as create new business opportunities. Unfortunately, many companies often fail to make the connection between the health of ecosystems and the business bottom line.

The Corporate Ecosystem Services Review (ESR) is designed to address this need. It is a structured methodology that helps managers develop strategies to manage their risks and opportunities arising from their company’s dependence and impacts on ecosystems. The World Resources Institute (WRI) developed the ESR with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the Meridian Institute.

Since its launch in 2008, an estimated 200+ companies have implemented the ESR and many others are gearing up to use it. As a result, demand for consultants with expertise in ecosystem services is increasing. This training will provide consultants with detailed information about the ESR, a powerful new methodology.

ESR Applications

The experience of WBCSD member companies will be explored during the event:

• Yves Rocher, Michelin, and Kimberly Clarke
• Akzo Nobel used the ESR to inform factory location strategies in Asia
• BC Hydro ran an ESR on a hydroelectric power plant, improving its management
• Mondi reviewed their FSC-certified plantations, developing several profitable strategies
• Syngenta conducted an ESR for farmers in India and developed new strategic ideas

Several firms are also using the ESR to enhance:

• Supply chain management
• Environmental management systems
• Product design & development
• Land management
• Benchmarking
• Investment

Attendees

The conference is designed for business strategy consultants, sustainability consultants, environmental managers and auditors, experts in corporate environmental management and impact assessments, supply chain managers, among others. It is relevant for a range of industries including manufacturing, mining, forestry, agriculture, finance, food and beverage, and more.

Agenda

(Subject to change)

Thursday, March 4
8.30 - Registration & coffee
9.00 - Welcome (Emmanuel Delannoy, INSPIRE Institut)
9.15 - Ecosystem services & The Millennium Assessment (Xavier LeRoux, Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversité)
9.45 - Ecosystem services & corporate performance (John Finisdore, WRI)
10.15 - Coffee
10.30 - Introduction to the ESR (John Finisdore, WRI, Suzanne Ozment, WRI)
11.30 - ESR corporate testimonial (Marie Marache-Legal, Yves Rocher)
12.00 - Lunch
13.00 - ESR Case studies: Mondi & Syngenta(Suzanne Ozment, John Finisdore)
15.30 - Break
16.00 - ESR corporate testimonials (Marc Duvernier, Michelin)
16.30 - A word from the French Ministry of Ecology (representative, French Ministry of Ecology)
17.00 - Ecosystem services for Corporate Decision Making (John Finsidore, WRI)
17.30 - Reflections & conclusion (Emmanuel Delannoy, INSPIRE Institut; John Finisdore, WRI)
18.30 - Close