Sustainable tourism is becoming more important than ever as travel grows increasingly accessible around the world. While tourism can be a powerful driver to socio-economic development – creating jobs, boosting GDP, and bringing in income from international visitors - it can also place significant pressure on the environment, local communities and cultural heritage. As global travel continues to expand, the challenge lies in ensuring that tourism benefits destinations without compromising their future.

Given the way businesses currently operate in the tourism sector, their activities can be linked to several drivers of biodiversity loss, including land/sea use change, overexploitation of natural resources, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. Certain forms of tourism development can also have negative impacts on local communities, including intergenerational tensions and erosion of traditional practices. In this context, businesses have a critical role to play in advancing more sustainable and biodiversity-friendly tourism practices.

At COP17, to be held in October in Yerevan, Armenia, the global community will review progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), through the global review process. To support these discussions, the Secretariat has begun preparing the global report based on the national reports submitted by Parties. As of end of March,128 Parties have submitted their national reports, providing a strong foundation for a comprehensive assessment of the global progress.

At the same time, efforts to mainstream biodiversity across sectors - including tourism - must continue to move forward. As reflected in the theme of COP17, “Taking Actions for Nature”, there remains a strong need to turn commitments into concrete and measurable actions.

Building on previous editions, the Business and Biodiversity Newsletter will spotlight the tourism sector and share concrete examples of action on the ground that can inform and inspire. By learning from these experiences, business and stakeholders can adapt practical approaches to suit their own regional and local contexts.

The 6th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-6) took place from 16 to 19 February. The meeting addressed issues including biodiversity finance, progress in the implementation of the Gender Plan of action, capacity-building and development, cooperation with international organizations and other conventions, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The recommendations adopted by SBI-6 will be considered for adoption at COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia.

Registration is now open for side-events to be held during the 28th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-28), taking place from 27 July to 1 August 2026, and the 7th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-7), taking place from 4 to 12 August 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Secretariat invites the submission of requests for side-events on topics relevant to the agenda items outlined in the provisional agenda for both meetings. These side-events are intended to further enrich discussions under the Subsidiary Bodies. More information is available on the meeting webpages: (https://www.cbd.int/meetings/SBSTTA-28 and https://www.cbd.int/meetings/SBI-07 ).

Requests should be submitted through the online submission system, available on the Secretariat’s website at: https://www.cbd.int/side-events/ .

The deadline for the submission of requests is 15 May 2026. Requests received after this date will not be considered. Please note that only proposals directly relevant to the issues under discussion at SBSTTA-28 and SBI-7 will be eligible for consideration.

The Business and Biodiversity Forum will take place on 25th October, bringing together the global business community - from small and medium-sized enterprises to large and transnational companies - to engage directly in the biodiversity agenda. The Forum provides a unique platform to explore what meaningful business action looks like, identify enabling policy conditions, and highlight solutions that can accelerate private-sector contributions to halting and reversing biodiversity loss.​

The Finance and Biodiversity Day, to be held on 26th October, will convene a globally representative group of finance sector actors to support the delivery of Goal D of the Global Biodiversity Framework and its associated targets. It will explore the critical role of the financial sector (public and private) in aligning financial flows and mobilizing financial resources in support of the vision of the GBF and its effective implementation.​

Other parallel events information:

・Global Youth Summit for Biodiversity | 17 & 18 October (Pre-COP)

The summit aims to gather young people, allies, and various stakeholders to discuss, collaborate, and formulate actionable recommendations related to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and create visions of the future beyond COP17.

・BCH Workshop | 17 & 18 October (Pre-COP)

The workshop provides participants with an overview of the Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH) and its role in sharing information on decisions regarding living modified organisms under the Cartagena Protocol, along with practical training on how to use the BCH to search for and submit information.​

・Biodiversity Capacity-Building and Development Forum | 17 October

The Forum aims to facilitate networking and sharing of experiences, good practices and lessons learned in capacity-building and development (CB&D) for biodiversity, and to organize events to showcase technical and scientific cooperation (TSC) initiatives, technologies and opportunities.

・Summit for Subnational Governments & Cities | 24 October

The Summit will convene subnational and local government leaders from around the world – including representatives of states, regions, provinces, cities and other local authorities to engage directly with national leaders and their key stakeholders. It will spotlight biodiversity actions at the territorial and local levels, including efforts that contribute to the Plan of Action under Decision 15/12.

・Nature and Culture Summit | 24 & 25 October

The Summit will provide a unique opportunity to develop key messages on the intrinsic relationship of biocultural diversity in the context of the implementation of the Framework, bringing together indigenous peoples and local communities and promoting an exchange of experiences through their cultural practices.

・Science-Policy Forum for Biodiversity & International Conference on Sustainability Science | 24 & 25 October

The Forum aims to strengthen the policy-science-society interface that supports objective and well-informed decision-making to facilitate the implementation of the KMGBF.

・ABSCH Workshop | 25 October

The workshop aims to update participants on the operations, recent changes, and planned developments of the ABS Clearing-House (ABSCH), a

platform that supports the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol by facilitating information exchange on access and benefit-sharing and the use of

genetic resources. ​

・Gender Forum | 27 October

The Forum aims to promote the implementation of the Gender Plan of Action and advance gender-responsive approaches in the KMGBF. The Forum unites a diverse community of stakeholders to drive commitments that integrate gender equality into biodiversity policy and action.

The Regional Business and Biodiversity Forum was held from 16 to 17 March in Pretoria, South Africa, bringing together representatives from governments, businesses, financial institutions, civil society, and other stakeholders. The Forum provided a platform to explore how biodiversity considerations are being integrated into business processes, with a particular focus on key economic sectors.

Key takeaways from the forum include:

1. Biodiversity mainstreaming must go beyond compliance

Biodiversity cannot be considered fully mainstreamed if business action is limited to regulatory compliance and environmental mitigation. Instead, it must be strategically integrated into core business decision-making and operations.

2. Better biodiversity-related data and tools are needed.

Credible biodiversity-related data, measurement approaches, and decision-supporting tools remain essential for enabling more integrated and informed decision-making.

3. Partnerships are critical for effective action

Biodiversity science and knowledge often originate in the public sector and academic institutions. Strengthened collaboration among businesses, governments, NGOs, local communities, and research institutions is key to successful biodiversity mainstreaming.

4. The challenge is not only finance, but investible solutions

A major barrier is not necessarily lack of financial resources, but the limited availability of bankable and investible biodiversity-related solutions and mechanisms. Addressing this gap will require scaling up innovative financing approaches.

5. Africa is uniquely positioned to advance the biodiversity economy

With its rich biodiversity, Africa is well placed to strengthen a biodiversity economy that includes ecotourism, wildlife economy initiatives, biodiversity-based enterprise and the sustainable use of natural resources. In this context, stronger collaboration with national focal points in the region will be essential.

A practice case from member of business association based in Korea, Korea Business Council for Sustainable Development (KBCSD)

SK Innovation and MangLub Social Enterprise Vietnam facilitates community-based mangrove restoration initiatives in the Mekong Delta that combine ecosystem restoration, environmental education, and immersive nature experiences. Through the Mangrove Planting Experience (MPE) program, companies, schools, and international visitors travel to coastal communities to participate directly in mangrove planting and biodiversity learning activities.

The program is hosted by local communities who guide visitors through mangrove ecosystems and share knowledge about coastal livelihoods, environmental challenges, and the importance of protecting biodiversity in delta regions. Community members participate as guides, coordinators, and hosts, providing local meals and cultural exchange experiences that connect visitors with the ecological and social landscape of the Mekong Delta.

This approach strengthens local capacity for climate and environmental stewardship while creating new opportunities for community-led nature experiences built on existing ecological assets. The initiative demonstrates how community-hosted biodiversity engagement can support ecosystem restoration, environmental awareness, and resilient coastal communities.

Two practice cases from Biodiversity Foundation, which established IEEB

The Biodiversity Foundation is implementing a comprehensive capacity building programme for managers and users of the marine Natura 2000 Network, developed within the LIFE IP INTEMARES framework and further strengthened through the LIFE A MAR project.

The programme aims to enhance effective, participatory and sustainable management of marine protected areas through training tailored to diverse professional profiles. A particular focus is placed on the tourism sector, whose ability to reach broad audiences makes it a strategic ally to amplify the impact of marine conservation. Engaging tourism professionals helps to promote responsible practices, raise awareness of marine values and foster a more informed and committed society. The programme combines participatory methodologies, hands on learning and collaboration among public authorities, the scientific community and local stakeholders.

Capacity building goes beyond technical skills: it drives cultural change, reinforces local networks and contributes to sustainable economic opportunities aligned with biodiversity conservation.

The Biodiversity Foundation (Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge) supports training projects aimed at developing or improving skills for the green transition through the Programa Empleaverde+. Of the 62 projects currently being implemented under this programme, four focus on sustainable nature tourism.

The “Interparques Inclusive Ecotourism” project improves the employability of people with intellectual disabilities and those at risk of social exclusion through specialised programmes in nature tourism. Another project, “Get a Job in Nature Photography”, trains unemployed people in the integrated management of the services that make up nature photography experiences in Spain, ensuring their viability as a tourism product. Support is also provided for the “Training in Nature Tourism, Agriculture and Renaturalisation in Adamuz” project in the province of Córdoba, which allocates part of its funding to training unemployed people in the municipality to implement sustainable tourism initiatives. Finally, “Entrepreneurship in Ecotourism in Spain” enhances the skills and entrepreneurial spirit of stakeholders linked to ecotourism in Spain as a source of green jobs, improving the capacity of local managers and the environmental performance of tourism businesses.

These four projects provide training for more than 400 people and have a budget of almost one million euros, co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus.

Three practice cases from members of the China Partnership for Business and Biodiversity (CPBB)

Yanoda, Hainan’s first AAAAA tropical rainforest theme park, demonstrates how tourism can support biodiversity conservation. Before development, the park conducted comprehensive ecological surveys and implemented environmental impact assessments, investing over 40 million CNY to build 18 km of eco-trails that avoid native trees. The park enforces zero wastewater discharge, visitor caps, and invasive species control, while protecting rare plants like the “Upas Tree” A rotating forest closure system allows ecosystem recovery. The initiative has preserved 98% forest coverage, engaged surrounding communities, and increased local per capita income from 2,170 to 13,000 CNY.

Yanoda shows how “conservation-oriented development” can create shared value for nature and people.

As part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, Mount Mao’er demonstrates innovative co-management between conservation and tourism. The reserve maintains 98.03% forest coverage while operating eco-tourism through a “one reserve, two systems” approach—strict protection in core areas and regulated tourism in designated zones. Revenue from tourism supports patrolling and scientific monitoring. The critically endangered Mao’er’s salamander (Hynobius maoershanensis) has increased from 200 to over 2,100 individuals since 2006.

Local communities benefit through employment and shared tourism revenues, creating incentives for conservation. This model shows how protected areas can achieve biodiversity gains while supporting sustainable development.

In Yunnan’s Nanhua County, known as the “Kingdom of Wild Mushrooms”, Yulu Village has developed an innovative “mushroom tourism” model. With 71.77% forest coverage and over 1,000 edible fungi species, the village partnered with state capital investment group to build the “Mushroom Homestay” complex. A “company + village collective + farmers” model engages local communities as mushroom foraging guides, with revenues supporting forest conservation. The initiative generates 20,000 CNY annually for the collective and 4,000 CNY per forager household.

Educational programs teach sustainable harvesting, ensuring long-term resource protection while creating new livelihoods.

The UK Business & Biodiversity Forum (UKBBF) is driving the transition to sustainable tourism by connecting nature-positive financial innovators with ecological restoration projects. Nature Investment bridges the gap between impact capital and community-led conservation through its Mwitu Ruaha initiative in Tanzania. Nattergal Ltd is developing large-scale nature recovery projects, such as beaver reintroduction in Lincolnshire, which serve as blueprints for biodiversity-led tourism. Rebalance Earth is working to connect private capital to nature restoration, including wetland creation and rewilding. Other members, including NatureAlpha, provide AI-powered geospatial analytics to support the assessment and monitoring of nature-related outcomes.

Together, these efforts highlight how tourism activities can incorporate biodiversity considerations, reversing nature loss while strengthening local economic resilience.

Nature Investment (NI) utilizes a blended finance model to secure 11,500 hectares of vital wildlife corridors in the Greater Ruaha Landscape. By integrating the Hodi Hodi Bush Safari Camp as a commercial anchor, the project ensures that conservation is a productive land-use asset. NI facilitates community-managed land leases that align local economic incentives with biodiversity protection, transforming vulnerable savannah into self-sustaining strongholds for East Africa’s largest elephant and lion populations.

Nattergal Ltd specializes in large-scale nature recovery, delivering measurable biodiversity outcomes through strategic rewilding. A flagship initiative involves the reintroduction of beavers to Lincolnshire, creating complex wetland habitats that provide natural flood management and carbon sequestration. This project serves as a premier blueprint for biodiversity-led tourism, demonstrating how restored ecosystems can drive rural prosperity and offer unique, high-integrity experiences for nature-conscious visitors.