The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
Preserving natural capital
Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
The programme, together with the General Sponsors, explores: 'What additional perspectives should be added to the global discussion on biodiversity beyond 2030?'
Discussion
- Others
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
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Agenda2025
Organised Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.09.19[Fri]
10:00 ～ 12:00
(Venue Open 09:30)
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- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
Ecosystems support the Earth's environment, human survival and our life by providing invaluable services such as supplying food and water, regulating climate and providing habitats for organisms. Conserving biological diversity enhances the resilience of ecosystems, thereby improving and sustaining these ecosystem services. However, a report assessing global biodiversity and ecosystem services published in 2019 found that ecosystems are deteriorating at an unprecedented rate and scale due to human activities and climate change. In response to such situation, the international community aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, known as achieving ‘nature positive’ with view to realising the vision of ‘a world of living in harmony with nature’ by 2050.
How far has the international community progressed in its efforts to conserve biodiversity? The session will examine the latest scientific findings, actions taken by leading companies, and civil society's initiatives, and consider how we should advance our efforts towards a "Future Society for Our Lives".
Reports
【Program Summary】
This session, held during The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week, emphasized that “preserving natural capital” advances through the collaboration of business, civil society, and policymakers. Protecting natural capital is not merely an environmental goal—it is deeply intertwined with solving social issues and ensuring economic sustainability. Through the integration of scientific knowledge, corporate initiatives, international frameworks, and community participation, a shared understanding emerged that biodiversity restoration and the creation of a nature-positive society are achievable goals.
【Speaker Summary: Yukari Takamura】
Professor Takamura began her remarks by reaffirming the essential importance of natural capital as the foundation of human society. Natural capital, she explained, encompasses not only forests, water, air, soil, and all forms of flora and fauna, but also the diverse “ecosystem services” they generate—services that sustain every aspect of our daily lives, from food supply, water purification, and climate stability to cultural and spiritual enrichment.
However, she warned that in modern society this natural capital is being rapidly degraded. According to the IPBES report, approximately one million species are now at risk of extinction, and 75% of terrestrial and 66% of marine environments have been significantly altered by human activity. As a result, the benefits provided by nature are being lost, in some cases irreversibly.
In light of these alarming facts, she referred to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, which sets the goal of achieving “Living in Harmony with Nature” by 2050 and realizing a “Nature Positive” world by 2030. She clarified that “Nature Positive” does not simply mean reducing losses, but rather taking proactive steps to restore nature.
Takamura also elaborated on the role of businesses, noting that more than 530 companies worldwide, including over 200 in Japan, have joined the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) initiative. She emphasized that recognizing dependencies and risks related to natural capital—and incorporating them into management strategies—will determine the long-term sustainability of corporate value. Moreover, with growing attention from financial markets and investors, business operations that account for natural capital have already become a source of competitive advantage.
In conclusion, she asserted that preserving natural capital is not merely an environmental issue but a fundamental prerequisite for economic and social stability. She called for an integrated approach in which scientific knowledge, corporate practice, and policy frameworks work in concert to transform the values of society as a whole.
【Speaker Summary: Noriko Rzonca】
Noriko Rzonca spoke comprehensively about how the energy industry can contribute to the preservation of natural capital, drawing on the initiatives of COSMO Energy Holdings, where she serves as Chief Digital Officer. She began by candidly acknowledging the significant impact that the energy sector has on global warming and resource use, while emphasizing that this very reality gives the industry a responsibility to take the lead in driving the transition toward a sustainable society.
One concrete example she introduced was the COSMO Eco Fund, established in 2002. Over the past two decades, this fund has supported 49 diverse conservation projects both in Japan and abroad. Among them is a coastal restoration effort in tsunami-affected Miyagi Prefecture, where forests, rivers, and seas are being reconnected through collaboration among local residents, fishers, and NPOs. These activities have helped restore fishing grounds, revitalize local economies, and bring psychological healing to communities. Another example is a forest-regeneration project in Nagano Prefecture, where degraded mountain forests are being revived with local participation, contributing simultaneously to climate-change mitigation and community building.
Rzonca further highlighted COSMO Energy’s proactive approach to renewable energy, including the expansion of wind power and research and development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Through these efforts, the company is advancing both the reduction of fossil-fuel dependence and the protection of natural capital. Throughout her talk, she repeatedly underscored her conviction that “once nature is destroyed, it can never return to its original state.” Hence, she urged that the actions each of us take every day will ultimately shape the future.
She placed particular emphasis on the power of collaboration, noting that companies should not act in isolation but rather build partnerships with local communities, governments, and non-profit organizations. Success, she explained, depends on respecting local wisdom and culture and on walking together with communities rather than taking a top-down approach.
In conclusion, Rzonca stated that the preservation of natural capital extends beyond the conventional framework of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and lies at the very core of corporate value. “Companies,” she declared, “are entities that pursue profit, but at the same time they bear a profound responsibility—as members of society—to help create the future.” Her words left a strong impression on the audience.
【Speaker Summary: Ryosuke Mizouchi】
Ryosuke Mizouchi spoke based on his extensive experience in promoting natural capital conservation within the food and beverage industry. He began by presenting a domestic case study—the Mariko Vineyard in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. This project revitalized abandoned mulberry fields, once used for sericulture, by transforming them into vineyards. Through this process, the local ecosystem was restored, and the reappearance of diverse flora and fauna, including endangered species, provided concrete evidence of the effectiveness of ecosystem restoration.
Furthermore, the revitalized landscape contributed to tourism and the local economy, serving as a prime example of how preserving natural capital can generate both social and economic benefits.
Mizouchi also elaborated on a project supporting tea plantations in Sri Lanka. Kirin has helped smallholder farmers adopt sustainable agricultural practices by facilitating Rainforest Alliance certification, with more than 4,800 farmers already trained. Since 2023, the company has introduced a Regenerative Agriculture Scorecard, enabling farmers to assess and improve their practices. This approach not only supports biodiversity conservation but also enhances farmers’ livelihoods and expands their access to international markets.
He further emphasized the significance of corporate responsibility for natural capital from a managerial perspective. Kirin Holdings was one of the earliest companies to apply the TNFD framework, disclosing nature-related risks with a level of transparency highly regarded by both investors and consumers. He asserted that preserving natural capital should not be viewed as “a cost to avoid today’s losses,” but rather as “an investment to ensure tomorrow’s sustainability.”
Mizouchi concluded that maintaining natural capital cannot be achieved by companies alone—it requires collaboration with farmers, local communities, governments, and international organizations.
【Speaker Summary: Ana Maria Hernandez Salgar】
Drawing on her extensive experience as the former Chair of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), Ms. Ana Maria Hernandez Salgar provided a detailed analysis of the current state and challenges of natural capital preservation from an international perspective.
She began by outlining the critical state of global biodiversity, noting that more than one million species are now threatened with extinction. Citing data showing that 75% of terrestrial and 66% of marine environments have already been significantly altered by human activities, she warned that if current trends continue, the world will face irreversible losses on a planetary scale.
Hernandez identified five main direct drivers of biodiversity loss:
1.Land-use change
2.Overexploitation of natural resources
3.Climate change
4.Pollution
5.Invasive alien species
Behind these direct causes, she pointed to a deeper systemic issue—that global economic systems have consistently failed to recognize the true value of nature, treating ecosystem services as free and inexhaustible. Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production, weak institutional frameworks, and the growing disconnect between people and nature have together driven the current crisis.
Despite these alarming trends, Hernandez also offered reasons for hope. Across the world, there are numerous examples of successful restoration and conservation efforts—from forest regeneration and the expansion of protected areas to the recovery of endangered species. Among these, mangrove restoration projects stand out as emblematic cases of nature-based solutions. She explained that mangroves not only serve as significant carbon sinks but also help replenish fisheries, reduce coastal disaster risks, and create tourism opportunities—demonstrating how ecological restoration yields multiple social and economic benefits.
Turning to international frameworks, Hernandez highlighted the importance of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which established 23 concrete global targets for biodiversity. She praised the landmark consensus to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 as a shared goal for all nations.
She emphasized that the greatest challenge now lies in “integrating science, policy, and finance” to translate evidence into concrete action. Researchers, policymakers, businesses, and civil society must collaborate to ensure that knowledge leads to real-world outcomes. In closing, she underscored the crucial role of education and public outreach, stressing that scientific knowledge must be communicated in a way that is accessible and compelling to the general public if humanity is to transform its relationship with nature.
【Speaker Summary: Jaco du Toit】
Jaco du Toit gave an in-depth presentation on the decisive role that collaboration between corporations and civil society plays in maintaining natural capital.
He began by emphasizing that the loss of nature is not only an ethical and environmental tragedy but also a growing economic risk that threatens the very foundation of corporate activity. He warned that the degradation of ecosystems could lead to supply chain disruptions, rising costs associated with regulatory compliance, and declining investor confidence—all of which pose direct and material risks to business continuity. For this reason, he stressed that companies must go beyond treating biodiversity conservation as a mere CSR activity and instead integrate natural capital into their core business strategies as a basis for long-term survival.
Du Toit introduced several collaborative projects that WWF is advancing with global corporations. Among them, he highlighted the partnership with H&M, which involves analyzing the ecological impact of raw materials such as cotton and wool across sourcing regions. In South Africa, WWF supports regenerative sheep farming, while in India, it assists in the transition to regenerative cotton cultivation. These locally grounded initiatives not only protect biodiversity but also contribute to improving farmers’ livelihoods and revitalizing local economies.
He further noted WWF’s collaborations with other multinational corporations, including IKEA, HP, and Lidl, focusing on efforts to reduce deforestation and optimize water resource use throughout global supply chains.
Du Toit also emphasized the importance of international frameworks such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and Science Based Targets for Nature (SBTN). By quantifying nature-related risks and disclosing them transparently, companies can strengthen the trust of investors and consumers alike while achieving more sustainable business operations.
In the discussion, Du Toit underscored that businesses cannot act alone—they must collaborate with governments, policymakers, and civil society to drive systemic change. For instance, promoting regenerative agriculture requires coordinated action across entire supply chains; the efforts of a single company are not sufficient. Achieving a “Nature Positive” economy, he argued, depends on a combination of effective government regulation, well-designed incentives, and shifts in consumer purchasing behavior. Only through such multi-stakeholder cooperation can humanity hope to reverse the ongoing loss of natural capital.
【Discussion Summary】
The discussion session focused on how science, policy, business, and civil society can collaborate to preserve natural capital from multiple perspectives.
Mizouchi began by emphasizing that efforts to conserve natural capital are directly connected to the livelihoods of farmers and local communities. He noted that sustainable agricultural practices and certification systems are not simply environmental measures—they also bring significant social benefits, such as improving farmers’ quality of life, stabilizing local economies, and passing traditional knowledge and techniques to future generations. His remarks resonated deeply with participants.
Rzonca then reaffirmed the importance of building equitable partnerships between corporations, local residents, and governments. She argued that the success of conservation initiatives depends on co-creation, not one-sided CSR programs. Referring to coastal restoration projects in post-disaster regions, she explained how collaboration among communities, businesses, and NPOs contributes both to ecosystem recovery and to the emotional healing of local residents.
Jaco du Toit introduced the international frameworks TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) and SBTN (Science Based Targets for Nature), explaining how companies can gain investor and consumer trust by disclosing nature-related risks and formulating evidence-based action plans. His perspective—linking environmental action with enhanced corporate value—offered a compelling vision for aligning economy and ecology.
Meanwhile, Hernandez Salgar focused on the challenge of translating scientific knowledge into societal action. She emphasized the difficulty of communicating complex data and reports to policymakers and the public, calling for stronger collaboration among scientists, educators, and the media to broaden awareness and inspire behavioral change across society.
The discussion also addressed practical challenges such as data shortages and supply chain complexity. Several participants suggested that digital technology and AI could play a key role in solving these issues—examples included using satellite data for forest monitoring and AI systems for visualizing supply chains. These innovations were seen as promising tools for strengthening transparency and supporting natural capital preservation.
In conclusion, all participants shared the understanding that preserving natural capital is a universal responsibility that transcends political and national boundaries. They reiterated that individual consumption choices and lifestyle changes have a profound cumulative impact on the planet’s future, underscoring the need for each person to act now to fulfill our responsibility to future generations.
Cast
Moderator
Yukari Takamura
Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo
Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo
After graduating in Law at Kyoto University and receiving Master of Laws (Public International Law) from Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, she was appointed Associate Professor at Shizuoka University. Before joining the University of Tokyo in 2018, she worked as Professor at Ryukoku University, Kyoto, and Professor at Nagoya University, Japan. She also studied at Graduate School of University of Paris II (Panthéon-Assas), France and was Visiting Researcher at University of London, U.K.
Specializing in international law and environmental law, her research focuses on legal and governance issues relating to multilateral environmental agreements as well as climate and energy laws and policies.
She serves as member of governmental advisory bodies, among others, Central Environment Council as President and Environment Council of Tokyo Metropolitan Government as President. She is also member of the Sustainability Standards Board of Japan (SSBJ) and member of the Advisory Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). She served as Vice President of Science Council of Japan (2020 - 2023) and as Chair of Procurement Price Calculation Committee for Feed-in Tariff Scheme for Renewable Energy (2021-2024). She received Environmental Conservation Merit’s Minister of the Environment Award in 2018.
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Speakers
Noriko Rzonca
COSMO ENERGY HOLDINGS CO., LTD. Chief Digital Officer, Ph.D.
Noriko earned her Ph.D. in Psychology in the U.S., specializing in research and evaluation methodology.
She began her career as a senior analyst at a U.S. insurance company, working on statistical pricing in the Actuarial R&D Dept.
In 2006, she returned to Tokyo and joined a financial institution, establishing internal analytical consulting teams and providing business analytics support across departments.
After gaining experience in customer, product, and risk-related analytics at several foreign-affiliated financial institutions, she joined Cosmo Energy Holdings in 2021 as Chief Digital Officer. She currently spearheads change management and digital business transformation, while chairing the COSMO Eco Fund.
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Ryosuke Mizouchi
Advisor, Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd.
Chief Sustainability Officer of Kirin Group from 2017 to 2024. Joined Kirin in 1982 and experienced in marketing insights and overseas businesses. Currently also a member of The Nourinchukin Bank Sustainability Advisory Board, and a member of Japanese National Commission for UNESCO. MBA, Sloan School of Management, MIT (1988), and BA, Economics, Hitotsubashi University (1982).
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Ana Maria Hernandez Salgar
International consultant
Internationalist from Jorge Tadeo Lozano University (Colombia). 28 years of expertise in international environmental law, international negotiation on biodiversity, and science-policy interface, with several publications about policy and legislation on biodiversity. Experience as researcher in the Policy and Legislation Program of the Alexander von Humboldt Institute; Head of the Office of International Affairs of the Ministry of Environment, Housing and Territorial Development of Colombia; Executive Director of NaturaCert Foundation; and Head of the international affairs, policy and cooperation Office at the Alexander von Humboldt Institute. Also, professor at the Rosario University and Javeriana University.
To date, more than two decades of experience in the framework of multilateral environmental, regional, and binational agreements. Colombian governmental negotiator to the Convention on Biological Diversity and to the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, IPBES. Representative of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC) to different bureau of environmental treaties such as the United Nations Convention against Desertification and Drought (UNCCD), the SPAW protocol of the Cartagena Convention and IPBES.
Chair of IPBES from May 2019 to September 2023.
Senior advisor to CBD COP16 presidency (Colombia). February 2024 – January 2025.
Member of the advisory board of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration from 2021 to 2023.
Awarded as environmental personality of the year by El Espectador Newspaper in 2019, by the Jorge Tadeo Lozano University in 2020, and by Ecovidrio Awards in 2022.
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Jaco du Toit
WWF Sweden Biodiversity and Policy Manager, Corporate Partnerships and Finance Department
Jaco du Toit serves as Biodiversity Policy Manager at WWF Sweden. He has been with WWF for twelve years, initially working on international climate policy in the lead up to the Paris Agreement and science-based GHG targets for companies. Over the past seven years he has been working on international biodiversity policy and biodiversity strategy for companies including as one of the founders of the Business for Nature coalition, pilotting the Science Based Targets for Nature methodology as part of the WWF and H&M Group partnership and working closely with WWF offices in India and South Africa on regenerative cotton and wool projects related to textile production value chains.
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The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
Preserving natural capital
The programme, together with the General Sponsors, explores: 'What additional perspectives should be added to the global discussion on biodiversity beyond 2030?'
-
2025.09.19[Fri]
10:00～12:00
(Venue Open 09:30)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
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The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
