What the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework means for your business

Biodiversity loss is now a business risk — and governments have set a global deadline to address it.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) establishes 23 targets to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030, covering everything from restoring degraded ecosystems to slashing harmful subsidies. For most companies, it is not yet a legal obligation. But that is changing fast.

While all 23 targets carry relevance, four sit at the heart of what it means to be "Kunming-aligned" and are considered the corporate essentials. Under Target 7, companies in chemicals, manufacturing, and logistics must halve nutrient loss and pesticide risk. Under Target 10, those with land-intensive operations — in forestry or agriculture — must transition to biodiversity-friendly production. Most significantly, Targets 14 and 15 mandate that all large companies embed biodiversity into their core financial and strategic decisions, and regularly disclose their nature-related risks and impacts across their full supply chain. These are not aspirational goals. They are the minimum.

The companies leading the way show what this looks like in practice. In energy, Iberdrola has integrated a zero net deforestation strategy into its facilities, assessing environmental impact before every new project near a protected area. Enel applies the AR3T mitigation hierarchy to every plant it designs and has fitted anti-collision devices on its distribution networks to protect birds. In fashion, Kering measures its entire land footprint using an Environmental Profit and Loss methodology, while LVMH has partnered with UNESCO to tackle Amazon deforestation and committed to zero ecosystem conversion across its supply chain.

What unites these companies is not just ambition — it is method. Traceability across supply chains, adoption of recognised mitigation frameworks, a genuinely regenerative approach, and close attention to water stewardship are the common threads. Critically, none of them treat biodiversity in isolation. Climate, nature and water are managed together, because the risks are interconnected.

The GBF raises the bar for every large business. Companies that get ahead of it now will be better placed — strategically, financially and reputationally — than those who wait to be told.