Full Document Text
DEDICATED TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE
World Business Council for
Sustainable Development
2010
Case Study
Restoring wetlands to secure water
supply
This case study is part of a series on the theme of business response to the biodiversity
challenge, gathered at the occasion of the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties
to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Read about what other companies are doing.
The business case
Highly dependent on water availability for its operations, Mondi leads a multi-stakeholder
wetland restoration program in South Africa. The program has resulted in the loss of
commercial forest for Mondi, a cost that is, nevertheless, part of the company’s social and
environmental license to operate.
The issue
A high water dependency
Mondi, an integrated paper and packaging producer, owns plantations in South Africa, a
part of the world where fresh water is a scarce resource and where an estimated 6 million
people do not have access to sufficient potable water to satisfy their needs.
Furthermore, an estimated 55% of South Africa’s wetlands to date have been significantly
damaged due to poorly managed agriculture and commercial forestry; mining, urban
development, pollution, dam building, erosion and fire. Because Mondi’s commercial
activities (commercial forests and processing plants) use significant volumes of water, it
relies on healthy wetlands and riparian zones.
The response
Towards securing water availability – restoration and education
Mondi is the principal sponsor of the Mondi Wetlands Programme
(MWP), a partnership between Mondi and South Africa’s two largest
NGO conservation organizations (WWF South Africa and the
Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) together with the
Mazda Wildlife Fund. The program is making an important
contribution to the protection and rehabilitation of wetlands and
riparian areas in South Africa. Through WWF, it has achieved
international recognition for success in bringing about social change
that encourages wetland users and owners to manage their wetland
resources in a more environmentally relevant manner. It primarily
does so by using a number of strategies:
Raising awareness
Policy work and lobbying
Catalyzing partnerships
Research-based management tools and resources
Training and on-the-ground support
Giving up productive forestry to help recovery of freshwater resources and
biodiversity
WBCSD page 2
With the support of the MWP, Mondi is assessing the health of all significant wetlands on
land it manages, and strengthening its wetland sustainable practices. It has almost
completed the process of removing all its commercial trees on, or close to, riparian or
wetland areas, which encourages the recovery of natural freshwater resources and
associated biodiversity. This has involved the loss of approximately 5% of Mondi’s
productive forestry land at an opportunity cost of around 200,000 tons of wood a year.
The results
These responsible actions make a substantial
contribution to the maintenance of functioning
freshwater systems and biodiversity in South Africa. The
costs form part of Mondi’s social and environmental
license to operate and its commitment to downstream
communities.
Further Information
David Lindley
Lindley@wetland.org.za
About the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
The WBCSD is a CEO-led, global coalition of some 200 companies advocating for progress on
sustainable development. Its mission is to be a catalyst for innovation and sustainable growth in a
world where resources are increasingly limited. The Council provides a platform for companies to
share experiences and best practices on sustainable development issues and advocate for their
implementation, working with governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental
organizations. The membership has annual revenues of USD 7 trillion, spans more than 35
countries and represents 20 major industrial sectors. The Council also benefits from a network of
60 national and regional business councils and partner organizations, a majority of which are based
in developing countries.
www.wbcsd.org
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