Earth Day, celebrated every April 22, brings together individuals, businesses, and organizations to focus on safeguarding the planet’s future. Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day has driven landmark environmental laws and major conservation efforts. It’s the one day that unites various groups worldwide toward a shared goal—protecting our planet.
For businesses, Earth Day presents an opportunity to take concrete steps toward sustainability. While many focus on reducing carbon emissions, holistic approaches—such as investing in nature protection, biodiversity, and reforestation—are crucial. In fact, a U.N. financing forum recently estimated that $700 billion per year is needed to restore Earth’s biodiversity, but current global spending is far behind at only $208 billion annually. Despite the critical role of nature-based solutions in reaching climate targets, they receive just 3% of global climate funding.
Here are eight practical steps businesses can take to make a meaningful impact this Earth Day and beyond:
1. Partner with Grassroots Organizations
Collaborating with NGOs and grassroots groups dedicated to environmental restoration is one of the most impactful ways businesses can make a difference. Organizations like Planet Wild work on the ground with rewilding projects and could greatly benefit from corporate partnerships that provide funding and visibility.
2. Reevaluate Supply Chains
Audit your supply chain to prioritize sustainable practices. Working with vendors who adopt eco-friendly practices, such as sustainable agriculture and responsible fishing, helps businesses build long-term relationships with partners committed to conservation.
3. Create a Greener Workplace
Transform your office space into an eco-friendly environment by planting rooftop gardens, using native plants to create wildlife corridors, and offering incentives for employees to volunteer in conservation efforts. These actions engage your team and inspire them to adopt sustainable behaviors in their own lives.
4. Embrace Circular Economy Principles
The circular economy focuses on reusing, repairing, and recycling products to minimize waste. Businesses can design products for longevity, use biodegradable packaging, eliminate single-use plastics, and implement take-back programs for end-of-life products.
5. Make Biodiversity Part of Decision-Making
Incorporating biodiversity into your business strategy ensures that sustainability is part of your long-term planning. Conduct biodiversity impact assessments for new projects, set science-based targets for conservation, and include environmental metrics in corporate reporting to drive accountability.
6. Support Indigenous and Local Conservation Efforts
Indigenous communities have long been stewards of the environment, often with invaluable knowledge of local ecosystems. Supporting their conservation efforts helps protect biodiversity while respecting cultural heritage. Funding local conservation initiatives ensures that efforts are culturally appropriate and sustainable.
7. Educate Employees and Customers
Businesses should lead by example in educating both employees and customers about sustainability initiatives. Develop biodiversity training programs for staff and highlight your company’s green initiatives in marketing efforts. Share conservation success stories and sustainable choices with your audience, fostering a deeper connection to your mission.
8. Fund Scientific Research and Monitoring
Investing in research and technology to monitor biodiversity loss is essential for finding solutions. Supporting studies on threatened species and ecosystems, along with funding biodiversity data collection, helps businesses understand conservation needs and measure progress over time.
While rewilding and biodiversity protection may not offer immediate returns, studies show that consumers are willing to pay a premium to support sustainability. As businesses integrate biodiversity into their core strategies, they contribute to the planet’s health—and, ultimately, to a healthier bottom line. Earth Day is the perfect starting point for companies to initiate these actions, but long-term commitment is key to making a real impact.
