South Africa, with its diverse biomes and range of fauna and flora is ranked as one of the world’s global biodiversity champions.
However, to sustain this position, more must be done to conserve the country’s biodiversity, which is critical for the country to maintain its desirability as an international tourist destination.
South Africa: Biodiversity Under Threat
According to SANBI, South Africa’s unique terrestrial biodiversity is globally recognised, with high species diversity and exceptional levels of endemism.
To paint a clearer picture, data indicates:
- 30% of 463 ecosystem types are threatened
- 14% of 24 678 taxa assessed are threatened
- 26% of 463 ecosystem types are well protected
- 77% of 2345 taxa assessed are well protected
While these figures reflect global significance, they also highlight a growing imbalance.
A substantial portion of South Africa’s ecosystems and species are under increasing pressure from habitat loss, environmental degradation, and climate change.
Although biodiversity stewardship programs have made meaningful progress, the scale and pace of decline demands more coordinated and practical intervention.
At its core, biodiversity loss is driven by human activity. The cumulative impact of overexploitation – across natural resources, land use, and industrial expansion – continues to place ecosystems under strain.
Over time, this has led to widespread habitat degradation, increased pollution across air, water, and soil systems, and the introduction of harmful substances into natural environments.
These pressures do not operate in isolation; they compound, accelerating ecosystem decline and, in some cases, resulting in irreversible loss.
Why biodiversity matters
Biodiversity is not just about saving species – it is about protecting ecosystems that support life, livelihoods, and long-term development.
Over half of the world’s GDP depends on nature, and many industries rely on healthy ecosystems, to operate effectively and sustainably.
For example, forests absorb over 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) every year, contributing to climate regulation and reducing diseases linked to pollution.
At the same time, habitat destruction and pollution are pushing over 1,000,000 species towards extinction, placing increasing pressure on the natural systems that businesses and communities depend on.
As these systems weaken, the impact is felt across sectors – from water availability and agricultural productivity to supply chain stability and human health.
Biodiversity loss is therefore not only an environmental concern, but a growing economic and operational risk. Conservation efforts require significant investment, yet global funding remains insufficient to meet the scale of the challenge.
With an estimated $700 billion needed each year to protect and restore nature and over half of global economic value generation moderately or highly dependent on natural systems, closing the nature finance gap presents a significant challenge.
At the same time, businesses continue to rely on natural resources without adequately reinvesting in their recovery. To address this gap, all businesses, financial institutions and government are encouraged to explore ways to finance biodiversity conservation.
Without a thriving natural environment, it becomes increasingly difficult to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development goals – from food security to health, clean water, climate action, and poverty reduction.
Business growth and biodiversity are linked
Harmony with nature is not only possible, but essential for a sustainable future.
As such, biodiversity protection should be imbedded into every business’ core operations – where business growth and environmental restoration work hand-in-hand.
This requires A practical shift in how businesses operate and invest. Actions may include:
- Developing biodiversity hotspots: Dedicating underused spaces for even just a small shift back to a more natural environment has the potential to exponentially increase biodiversity, local ecology and strengthen environmental stewardship. Establishing dedicated biodiversity rich zones can help support pollinators and promote ecosystem recovery.
- Restoring wetland ecosystems: Wetlands are crucial for purifying water, storing carbon, and supporting species – yet they remain the most threatened ecosystems. Businesses can play a role in their recovery by investing in rehabilitation initiatives that protect these critical natural assets.
- Providing safe habitats for wildlife: Incorporating wildlife friendly infrastructure into business environments is becoming a standard of responsible development. Installing bat boxes, growing plants that attract pollinators, or creating, opening, or preserving green corridors can support biodiversity while peacefully co-existing with industrial activities.
- Sustainable waste management practices: Aligning waste management strategies with circular economy principles is important for businesses committed to sustainability. By reducing landfill resilience, improving recycling initiatives and recovering valuable resources, organisations can minimise their environmental footprint while contributing to broader conservation and climate goals.
Collaboration for measured practical, and credible results
Biodiversity protection cannot be addressed by a single industry. It requires collaboration across sectors to reduce environmental impact and support restoration efforts in meaningful ways.
For industries with operational constraints, we’re reducing environmental impact may not always be straightforward, alternative approaches such as responsible sourcing, material reuse, and participation in ecosystem restoration initiatives can still deliver measurable value.
Industry bodies and forums also play an important role in accelerating knowledge sharing and scaling best practices.
Importantly, success is not only measured through species counts or restored hectares. It is also reflected in human behaviour. Employees exposed to biodiversity initiatives gain awareness that extend beyond the workplace, influencing everyday decisions such as water use, waste management, and environmental responsibility.
From large scale interventions such as regenerative practices and ecosystem restoration to smaller operational efficiencies like energy management systems in water conscious infrastructure, each action contributes to rebuilding and protecting natural systems.
“South Africa’s biodiversity future depends on the decisions made today.” says Shoba Govender, Commercial Director at Interwaste.
Acting now
A siloed approach will not deliver the outcomes required to protect ecosystems at scale. The path forward requires industries to work together, not only to reduce their environmental footprint, but to actively contribute to restoration and long-term sustainability.
The cost of inaction will far outweigh the investment required to protect and restore the natural systems that underpin both economic growth and human well-being.
To address this gap businesses, financial institutions, and governments are encouraged to explore practical ways to finance biodiversity conservation.
Without a thriving natural environment, it becomes increasingly difficult to achieve the United Nations’ sustainable development goals – from food security and clean water to climate action and poverty reduction.
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