This is to draw attention to the recent (October 2006) and very useful report Building Biodiversity Business (pdf).
The report reviews different approaches and opportunities for significantly increasing private investment in biodiversity conservation. The authors believe that the most promising way to mobilise significant private investment in biodiversity is by making conservation a more viable business proposition. Through the intelligent use of market-based instruments, it is possible to align private and public interests.
The report was prepared by Joshua Bishop of The World Conservation Union (IUCN), Sachin Kapila of Shell International Limited and two consultants: Frank Hicks (Sustainable Development International S.A.) and Paul Mitchell (Green Horizons Environmental Consultants Limited).
[...] A blog called Conservation Finance draws attention to a report on building biodiversity businesses. The report was prepared by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and is a draft for discussion, but I cannot do that as I have not yet read it. However, I noted with pleasure that there is a section on agriculture, which is encouraging, and not all that common among mainstream conservationists. By the way, Conservation Finance’s link to the report is pretty much broken; use this one instead. [...]