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環保人士及社會發展運動人士長久以來對於與工商業合作保持著非常謹慎的心態。不過近年來與企業合作已逐漸被視為是保護環境、提高在地社群生活水平的有效方法之一。其中，將在第三屆「世界保育大會」被討論的議題之一就是有關於企業界，或更廣泛的說是整個市場，在追求永續發展及保育生物多樣性這方面所扮演的角色。
世界自然保育聯盟（IUCN）的第三屆「世界保育大會」將在泰國曼谷召開，以「人與自然：世界只有一個」為主題，從11月17日進行到25日。
一般來說，保育人士及社區工作者都傾向於將企業及市場視為環境及在地社區的主要威脅。的確有許多例子顯示「大型企業」是造成生態與社會災難的首要嫌犯。野生物的喪失、重要棲息地的破壞、過度污染等問題，通常都和採礦、伐木與集約農業等商業活動有關，而且會衝擊在地社群。同樣的，在某些案例中也顯示，貿易自由化與市場全球化，也是擴大社會不穩定性的因子。
通往哥斯大黎加蒙特沃德雲霧森林保護區的吊橋，該保護區堪稱生態旅遊的樂園。（照片提供：哥斯大黎加地圖網）
然而，市場與生物多樣性還是有可能結為堅固的同盟。現今像IUCN等保育與發展團體，正試圖動員私有部門的資源，例如其科技技術、管理及行銷專業、投資能力等。這些團體已體認到企業的力量，可以為善，也可以為惡。最重要的是，許多公司也開始在
觀察，其他企業將生物多樣性考量納入例行商業決策的案例。
現在已有越來越多的趨勢顯示，企業已開始被視為生物多樣性保育和改善生計的重要夥伴。藉由與企業的合作，保育界等人士更能夠挑戰企業的不永續做法及政策。市場是一頭強有力的猛獸，若能將牠轉化為對環境及在地社區有利的力量，不是很棒嗎？
「某些有眼見的保育和企業家，已經開始思考要如何從環保和社會發展工作中製造商機。」IUCN經濟與環境資深顧問畢夏普博士（Dr.
Joshua
Bishop）提到：「我們在污染控制、再生資源管理、有機農業、還有生態觀光方面，都已看到有重大的進展。做好事的就是好的企業（工作）。」
沒錯，邁向永續發展一般會增加先期的成本開支，而且還得面對是否真能獲得「乾淨又環保」成果的冷眼批判；不過若由個人層面來探討，其實成果清晰可見：如果買一個現代化的省能冰箱，雖然可能一開始要付較多的錢，但長期來說，省下的電費足以抵銷掉那一開始的多餘開銷。
至於在企業和國家層面，有時候事情就變的更為複雜了。雖然藉由生態效益（eco-efficiency）可以省下花費，但投資生物多樣性的報酬卻難以計算。
在說服企業及政府領導人採取綠色方案時，有一部分的困難在於，現今用來計算獲利及成長的統計方法，對環境和窮人是較為不利的。我們很難去證明：對環境及社會有益的做法，最終對獲利底限（bottom
line）或國家發長也會有所助益。（待續） |
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Environmentalists and social development activists have traditionally
been wary of working with the corporate world. Today, however,
engagement with business is increasingly seen as an effective way to
safeguard our environment and enhance local livelihoods. The role of
business and, more generally, markets in pursuing sustainable
development, including biodiversity conservation, is to be addressed at
the upcoming 3rd IUCN World Conservation Congress. The 3rd IUCN World
Conservation Congress will be held from November 17-25, 2004 in Bangkok,
Thailand, under the theme "People and Nature – only one world."
Conservationists, along with many community activists, have tended to
see business and markets as major threats to the environment and local
communities. Cases of ecological and social tragedies attributable to
'big business' abound. Wildlife loss, critical habitat destruction and
excessive pollution affect local communities and can often be linked to
commercial activities such as mining, logging operations and intensive
agriculture. Similarly, social instability can, in some cases, be
amplified by trade liberalization and market globalization.
Bridge to ecotourist delights in Costa Rica's
Monteverde Cloud Forest Bioreserve (Photo courtesy
Costa Rica Map)
Markets and biodiversity can, however, be strong allies. Today,
conservation and development groups, such as IUCN, seek to mobilize
private sector resources, such as technical skills, managerial and
marketing expertise, and investment capacity. They recognise that
business can be a power for good as well as for ill. Crucially,
companies are also seeing the business case for integrating biodiversity
in their day-to-day decisions.
Business is increasingly seen as an essential partner in conserving
biodiversity and improving livelihoods. By working with business,
conservationists and others are able to challenge unsustainable or
inequitable practices and policies. The market is a powerful beast. How
best to turn it to the advantage of the environment and local
communities?
"Some far-sighted conservationists and entrepreneurs are asking how
they can generate business opportunities out of environmental protection
and social development," said Dr. Joshua Bishop, senior adviser on
economics and the environment at IUCN. "We are seeing important
developments in pollution control, renewable resource management,
organic agriculture and eco-tourism. Doing good is good business."
True, moving towards sustainability typically increases upfront
costs, and the jury is still out on whether it eventually pays back to
go "clean and green." On an individual level, the sums are often clear
enough: buy a modern, energy efficient refrigerator and the greater
initial cost will be compensated by lower electricity bills.
Matters are sometimes more complex at the company and national level.
While eco-efficiency saves costs, the return from investing in
biodiversity may be difficult to measure.
Part of the challenge in convincing business and government leaders
to take a greener approach is that the statistics by which we measure
profit and progress are weighted against the environment and the poor.
It is difficult to prove that environmentally and socially good practice
helps the bottom line or contributes to national development. |
