Biodiversity Policy Engagement Analysis
Biodiversity Lobbying Overview: Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) has positive top-line messaging on biodiversity loss, but has mostly negative engagement on biodiversity-related policy.
Top-Line Messaging on Biodiversity Loss: Keidanren has broadly positive top-line positions on Biodiversity loss. Keiji Nishizawa, Chairman of Keidanren Committee on Nature Conservation, appeared to recognize the science of biodiversity loss on Keidanren’s website in May 2022. Keidanren broadly supported action on biodiversity loss in a Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund (KNCF) NEWS article published in 2023. However, Keidanren appeared to emphasize the need for flexibility and a reduction of administrative burden in policies to respond to biodiversity loss in a meeting hosted by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment (MOE) in December 2021. Keidanren appeared to support COP15 and the Kunming -Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) on a KNCF NEWS article published in 2023.
Engagement with Biodiversity-Related Regulations: Keidanren appears to have mostly negative engagement on biodiversity-related policies. In a meeting held by MOE in December 2021, Keidanren advocated for flexibility and a reduction in administrative burden for the “30 by 30” target, a policy proposal to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030. In a June 2023 position paper, Keidanren advocated against the proposed EU restrictions on Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In a position paper from February 2023, Keidanren appeared to support measures intended to tackle plastic pollution and recycling but emphasized that these must remain voluntary. Keidanren also advocated against proposals to reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers in a May 2023 position paper.
Positioning on Statutory Protection of Wildlife:Keidanren does not appear to have taken a position on the statutory protection of wildlife.