Multi-national Businesses to Government Agencies to Non-Profits – Mark Tercek

Mark Tercek is guest blogging for the Forum. He is President and CEO of The Nature Conservancy and a participant and the Annual Meeting in Davos.

Today’s society is facing unprecedented challenges. Expanding populations, dwindling natural resources, declining economies and other threats require that all sectors begin working together to reach common solutions.

More than ever before, we must find innovative ways to ensure that nature can continue to provide the food, clean water, energy and other services our growing population depends upon for survival.

We at The Nature Conservancy are increasingly reaching out to the private sector, helping businesses incorporate nature’s services into their business plans as they work to meet the needs of society.

Through these collaborations, businesses are learning that investing in nature also makes good business sense.

For example, forests are not just home to some of the world’s most diverse species, they also play a critical role in reducing sedimentation and filtering clean water. Businesses around the world are now working with The Nature Conservancy to invest in forest protection because they realize it’s cheaper to keep forests standing than it is to build water filtration systems.

They understand that conservation and economic development can no longer be seen as separate or competing issues. They go hand-in-hand.

The World Economic Forum also understands this, and has organized its sessions to bring together representatives from diverse sectors – including some who have historically had combative relationships.

But if the Forum – and society as a whole – has any chance of finding ways to make the world a better place for our children and grandchildren, we must break out of our silos and find new ways to collaborate together.

I am looking forward to doing just that in Davos.