Business for Sustainable Development (BSD) has officially opened registration for its Gabay Kalikasan: It’s Now for Nature Accelerator Program for businesses – the first and only program of its kind in the Philippines. This initiative includes 10 sessions spread across nine months for participating companies to absorb nature principles and develop credible and actionable nature strategies that are aligned with global sustainability frameworks.

Gabay Kalikasan is part of BSD’s efforts to strengthen the role of private sector and consolidate efforts that promote biodiversity and nature-positive outcomes. The program equips participating companies with knowledge, understanding, and tools that would integrate nature-related strategies into their operations and sustainability reporting. 

“Nature strategy has been gaining significant traction among businesses and financial institutions across the globe especially through our partner Business for Nature’s own program called It’s Now for Nature,” said BSD Executive Director Abraham Perez. “With Gabay Kalikasan, Philippine businesses gain the opportunity to be part of this global campaign intended to create a nature-positive world by 2030.” 

BSD’s accelerator program also supports the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP), which is a country-level plan to integrate biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of biological resources into national plans, policies, and strategies according to global targets.

Gabay Kalikasan uses the “Nature Strategy Handbook” to guide participants on how their businesses can meet each of the components of ACT-D (Assess, Commit, Transform and Disclose) framework for nature-positive strategy and action. The program fosters collaboration among participants through workshops, peer-learning sessions, consultations, and post-program support. Participants are expected to publish their own nature strategy within 12 months after completing the training.

“We customized this program to accelerate the building capacity of Philippine businesses in adopting nature-focused business practices, and at the same time establish a network of sustainability leaders who can collaborate for long-term scalable solutions,” Perez added. 

Gabay Kalikasan is open to all companies, BSD members and non-members alike, that seek to embed nature considerations in their business strategies. Participants will be given access to technical guidance, coaching from subject matter experts, and opportunities to widen their network for collaboration with peers from various industries. For further inquiries, send an email to raelanieloyola@bsdph.org or visit the BSD LinkedIn page.