ACCA's Friday Forum on April 1, 2011, focused on the value of biodiversity to ecosystems and the role of accountants in assessing this value. The event was chaired by Stephanie Hime, biodiversity and ecosystems service specialist at KPMG, and panelists included Joshua Bishop, chief economist at IUCN, and Carlota Garcia-Manas, head of research at EiRIS. The panel discussed the importance of biodiversity to global human communities, businesses, and non-human species, and the need for economically-efficient approaches to nature conservation. The TEEB Study, an international initiative, was also mentioned as highlighting the global economic benefits of biodiversity. Accountants can play a crucial role in assessing the value of biodiversity and promoting sustainable practices.
