Yerevan will host the 17th meeting of the parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) from 19 to 30 October 2026. Delegates will review progress toward the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Why biodiversity matters for businesses
Healthy ecosystems support water supplies, fertile soil, pollination, agriculture and tourism. Companies also depend on natural resources through their suppliers. COP17 does not automatically create new legal obligations for every business, but it brings measurable, evidence-based environmental action into focus.
Three practical questions
- Where does our business depend on nature? Identify the water, land, materials and suppliers essential to operations.
- Where can we reduce impacts? Examine waste, water use, sourcing and possible habitat damage. Start with a measurable baseline.
- What can we demonstrate? Support environmental claims with specific actions, dates and evidence. Avoid unsupported “nature-positive” claims.
What to watch during COP17
Follow biodiversity-target implementation, financing discussions and cooperation among governments, communities and businesses. Proposals and announcements should not be presented as adopted decisions.
Featured image: AI-generated editorial illustration of COP17 in Yerevan; not an official COP17 graphic or documentary photograph.
Sources: CBD conference documents and COP17 information.