Grupo Nutresa shares key insights after its participation in the biodiversity-centered COP16

Within the framework of the COP16 (2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference of the Parties), one of the most important global events about biodiversity, Grupo Nutresa had the opportunity to participate actively along with more than 3,000 companies and 15,000 attendees from 196 countries.

This event gathered world leaders, companies, non-governmental organizations and key actors in the preservation of biodiversity and the planet’s well-being.

Awareness about the condition of biodiversity

The COP16 succeeded in conveying a clear and conclusive message about the vulnerability of ecosystems, which are affected by the industrial, agricultural and livestock activities carried out around the world. The preservation of these ecosystems is essential for humanity, and the participation of everyone, both individually and collectively, is crucial in guaranteeing their conservation.

The role of companies in nature’s sustainability

During the event, the business sector led important conversations about topics related to innovation, leading biodiversity conservation practices and the mobilization of financial resources. Companies play a key role in the protection of the environment and in the consolidation of sustainable actions centered on mitigating and reducing the impact of human activities on nature.

Grupo Nutresa’s involvement

As part of our deep commitment to sustainability, Grupo Nutresa actively participated in conversations and networking sessions, exchanging knowledge and exploring new partnerships and financial opportunities. Through our participation, we strengthened our bonds with organizations such as: WWF, CECODES, the World Economic Forum, Business for Nature, GRI, USAID, USDA, Davivienda, Fedepalma and Cenipalma, among other, with the purpose of promoting innovative solutions for both the conservation and restoration of ecosystems.

Discussion panel: Zero-Deforestation Sourcing Chains

Carlos Ignacio Gallego, Grupo Nutresa’s CEO, participated in the discussion panel called “Zero-Deforestation Sourcing Chains: an opportunity for competitiveness,” which addressed the importance of working collectively to ensure the productivity and sustainability of value chains in Colombia over time. The Organization took advantage of this event to reassert our commitment to biodiversity and our goal ensuring 100% of oursupplies are sourced in a productive and sustainable way while preserving biodiversity.

Discussion panel: Role of the private sector, competitiveness and bioeconomics in the protection of biodiversity

Maria Adelaida Arango, Grupo Nutresa’s Vice President of Sustainability, participated in the discussion panel organized by Davivienda to address the role of the private sector, competitiveness and bioeconomics in the protection of biodiversity.

The objective of this intervention was to highlight the importance of understanding the impacts and dependencies of the private sector on biodiversity, traceability as a tool that allows us guaranteeing our value chains do not contribute in any way to deforestation and the importance of building partnerships to tackle technological and financial challenges.

Discussion panel: Innovation and transparency in GRI reporting about biodiversity

María Solange Sánchez, Grupo Nutresa’s Environmental Leader, participated in the discussion panel about innovation and transparency in GRI reporting about biodiversity, where the participants addressed the technological challenges, and the new capabilities required to report based on the highest transparency standards.

CECODES biodiversity pathway:

As members of the CECODES, Colombian chapter of the World Business Council for
Sustainable Development (WBCSD), we participated in conversations about the
biodiversity pathway in business management, sharing success stories from multiple
sectors and discussing the implementation of indicators and standards related to this topic.

Announcements and key commitments:

Additionally in the COP16, the Colombian Government presented its Biodiversity Plan for
2030, underscoring key goals in fields such as bioeconomics, wastewater treatment and
ecosystem conservation. This plan is an important step towards sustainability, and
continuity in its implementation will be essential to achieve the objectives that have been
set.
In addition, the COP16 acknowledged the environmental leadership exhibited by
Colombia, a country that continues making progress in relation to its responsibility
regarding the conservation of biodiversity and the promotion of peace with nature in the
production systems.

Grupo Nutresa’s commitment

Our involvement in the COP16 has been a significantly valuable opportunity for Grupo
Nutresa, not only for being able to share our progress in terms of sustainability, but also for
having the chance to learn from other experiences and to promote strategic partnerships.
As an organization, we remain committed to developing a more sustainable future where
progress and conservation go hand in hand, thus ensuring a better world for us and future
generations.

Together, companies, governments and society must work collaboratively to make sure
biodiversity policies are effectively implemented in all geographies, thus promoting
inclusion-driven and sustainable development for everyone.