Introduction
"Nature is declining at an alarming rate, and we have never lived on a planet with so little biodiversity. At least $1.8 trillion is funding the destruction of nature and changing our climate, while creating huge risks for the very businesses who are receiving the subsidies. In the meantime, we still have not met the Paris Agreement climate finance target of $100 billion [USD] per year. Harmful subsidies must be redirected towards protecting the climate and nature, rather than financing our own extinction.” - Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC
While a recent study found how much environmental subsidies are harmful to nature and climate, ¼ of the world population rely directly on forest for food, income and livelihoods according to the The World Bank (2008) and Global loss of ecosystem services due to land use change is more than $4.3-20.2 trillion USD per year (Costanza et al.).
The current global economic model is failing us - both people and planet. There is a contradiction between the economic growth “at all costs” celebrated by decision-makers, and the objective to conserve and protect biodiversity. How can we honestly believe that it is sustainable to live as if all resources are abundant and unlimited while living in a limited world?
Usually, we are told that economic growth serves to increase people's standard of living and that most of the world population needs even more growth to improve their lives. It is true that poverty in the past 100 years has decreased with Globalization and the implementation of MDGs (2000) followed by the SDGs (2015), and the quality of life for the middle class improved after the end of World War II. However, at the same time, the socioeconomic gap and inequities between the wealthiest and the poorest continues to exponentially increase. Likewise, this economic growth accelerated the use of resources and overexploitation.
Economic growth and population growth have come at the expense of nature, biodiversity, and the majority of communities (some of whom, ironically, are called “minorities” because of their lack of historical economic and political power). The more you try to satisfy basic needs, the more you’re pushing the environmental limits. Sustainable development is working, but not perfectly and perhaps not within the capitalist system.
“Countries have been transgressing planetary boundaries faster than they have been meeting the basic needs of their residents” and no countries are truly filling the basic needs of all their residents (Fanning et al., 2022).
The way we currently operate when trying to improve quality of life is done without consideration for environmental, and sometimes social, sustainability. The focus is on short-term solutions, and long-term consequences are rarely assessed. Resilience is truly lacking.
In short, to succeed in the current system, human and nature exploitation must be favored. But this is not a fatality; we must explore other ways to exist and prosper.
While the private sector causes many of the failings of the current system, we cannot exclude them from the solutions. Historically, where there has been positive movement towards a sustainable economy and environmental justice, the public sector and nonprofit sector have been the drivers. However, solving global problems requires active engagement with the private sector. It is time for the private sector to step up to current and future challenges. We need them on board constructively as partners without constant opposition.
At Youth4Nature, we feel that it is our duty to do something to improve the current situation. The scientific data demonstrates that there is room for improvement that goes into social, economical, environmental justice.
There are no easy solutions to the several multifaceted, interlinked, and interrelated issues, but as Youth4Nature, we are certain that the current situation can no longer continue. Involving the private sector actively to become part of the solutions is how we can pave the way to a fair and just future for all.
Values
As a mission-driven and youth-led organization, Youth4Nature centers our values in all of our work. Our organization-wide values include: orient towards solutions to the nature and climate crises; center people, equity, and justice; commit to learning; uphold our autonomy; and use systems-thinking.
The Private Sector Taskforce upholds all of these values and emphasizes the need for both systems change and viable interim alternative practices. In all of our work, we hold abundant nature; a healthy climate; and human rights, equity, and youth autonomy paramount.
Stances and Principles
Youth4Nature understands both the great harm that the private sector has brought to nature, climate, and social justice; as well as the great potential that individuals and organizations in this space hold to create a better world. We hold the following stances and principles in all of our work to promote solutions in line with our values:
We oppose environmental and social violations and abuses. We promote a shift from extractive industries towards a circular economy of care (centered around health, education, human rights, and the arts).
We challenge the profit-motive (people, planet, and profit on the same level is inappropriate) and ecological modernization discourse (utopic ideas of green growth and tech utopianism are also inappropriate). Both these discourses are widely held in and outside of the private sector, with the expectation that innovation within the private sector will somehow save us.
We will work towards true solutions for nature and climate using systems change and meaningful progress within the current systems - even when this requires a change or overhaul of the global capitalist economy. While we strive for quick and effective solutions, we also acknowledge that system changes do not come quickly or easily so we must also work for meaningful change within the current system. We support alternative business structures and practices like alternative products, cooperatives, indigenous business practices, intergenerational businesses, social enterprises, and employee-owned companies.
Objectives
Youth4Nature’s Private Sector Taskforce fosters discussion and positive dialogue around best practices for firms and businesses in the private sector to contribute to justice-oriented solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises through financing and process changes, including structure, methods, and products.
Through every action we take, we encourage youth education, involvement, and participation in private sector decision-making. We aim to educate young people on the private sector’s current and aspirational relationships with nature and climate by providing resources and tools and developing Youth4Nature’s role as a key actor in this space.
Our focus areas for 2022 include (but are not limited to):
Agriculture and food systems
Manufacturing (including fashion)
The energy transition
High-technology (including Big Tech, AI, online software)
Building a Better World Together
It is imperative that we redirect the $1.8 trillion annually subsidizing nature’s destruction towards activities that equitably uplift people and the planet. We recognize that we cannot do this alone - we must work in collaboration with all sectors and individuals as a team to shift the status quo.
Do you agree with our stances and objectives? Do you recognize yourself in our vision? If so, let’s work together!
The Youth4Nature team is eager to meet other individuals and groups who share our values and vision for a more just and sustainable future. If you are interested in joining us in collaboration or partnership, please reach out to our team using the Partnership Form or send a message to Emma at hello@youth4nature.org.
meet the current core members
Emma Thornton
Private Sector Taskforce Lead
Julia Bethe
Taskforce Member
Interested in joining the Y4N Private Sector Taskforce? Please complete this expression of interest form!