As biodiversity loss emerges as a key economic risk, CHEP is implementing a Forest Positive strategy in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, aiming to regenerate two hectares of land for every hectare used in timber production. The company collaborates with WWF South Africa and Wildlife ACT, using species like the Long-Toed Tree Frog and Blue Swallow as biodiversity indicators. According to the World Economic Forum, $44 trillion—over half of global GDP—is dependent on nature. This shift signals a broader corporate move toward integrating ecosystem regeneration into supply chain resilience planning, particularly in Africa, where ecosystems underpin agriculture, water security, and export economies.
Corporate Shift Toward Nature-Positive Supply Chains
According to africasustainabilitymatters.com, biodiversity loss is now recognized as a major economic risk, prompting companies to reassess supply chain resilience. The World Economic Forum estimates that approximately $44 trillion—more than half of global GDP—is moderately or highly dependent on nature and ecosystem services. This growing awareness is shifting corporate strategy from treating nature as an externality to integrating it as a core operational asset.
CHEP’s Forest Positive Strategy in Action
CHEP, a global supply chain solutions provider, has launched a “Nature Positive” approach centered on its Forest Positive strategy. The company aims to regenerate two hectares of land for every hectare used for timber production, while maintaining fully certified sustainable sourcing practices. This model reflects a broader industry move toward ecosystem restoration rather than merely reducing environmental impact.
“Biodiversity resilience was becoming inseparable from supply chain stability and long-term business performance.” — Marietjie Brown, Sustainability and Government Affairs Lead for CHEP Africa, Middle East and Türkiye
The initiative is currently active in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, particularly in the environmentally sensitive uMzimkhulu catchment area in the Southern Drakensberg. This region includes wetlands, forests, and grasslands that regulate water systems and support agricultural productivity. Degradation of these ecosystems increases erosion risks and threatens raw material supply chains, directly affecting operational costs and business continuity.
Biodiversity as a Measurable Indicator of System Health
CHEP is collaborating with WWF South Africa and Wildlife ACT on conservation projects that use specific species as biodiversity indicators. The Long-Toed Tree Frog and Blue Swallow are monitored as signs of wetland and grassland health. Scavenger populations, including vultures, are also tracked due to their role in limiting disease spread and maintaining ecosystem balance. Rhinos are used as indicators of broader landscape integrity.
Researchers note that measurable changes in these species correlate with shifts in water regulation, erosion control, and agricultural sustainability—key functions for supply chain stability. The World Bank has warned that accelerating biodiversity decline is weakening environmental systems that support food production, freshwater availability, and climate resilience, which directly impacts industries reliant on natural capital.
Implications for African Economies and Industries
Across Africa, sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism, and water-intensive industries remain highly vulnerable to biodiversity loss. Rapid urbanization, deforestation, climate change, and land-use pressures are exacerbating degradation. Many African economies rely heavily on ecosystem services for employment, food security, and export earnings. As such, investing in biodiversity is increasingly seen as essential to long-term economic resilience.
Industry observers note that investor expectations are evolving, with increasing demand for disclosures on nature-related risks. This trend is aligning with global frameworks such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), which aims to standardize how companies report on their impact on nature.
Source: africasustainabilitymatters.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
