The conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity is the foundation of a sustainable economy. Water, food, shelter and energy are the building blocks upon which life and economic systems are built. The resilience of the global economy is intricately linked to the state of the environment. Business also affects, and needs, biodiversity. Billions of people work in the private sector, and business is a key driver of social and economic development. A closer alignment of our economic and environment systems is an imperative that society can no longer afford to ignore. IUCN’s Global Economics Programme has been working hard to Green the World economy by encouraging governments to mainstream environmental values, invest in ecosystem services, and use nature based solutions to pressing social and environmental challenges.