TCforBE WP 5.3 Corporate and regenerative or nature-based enterprise case studies in Cameroon, Colombia and Kenya

Deliverable 5.3 of TC4BE is a report (D5.3) on entities operating as Regenerative Enterprises for Transformative Change. A regenerative enterprise is a business that aims to have a positive impact on the environment, society, and economy (de Fraguier and Vasconcellos, 2023). Businesses may range from multinational to small and medium enterprises and other forms of business (e.g. cooperatives and associations) who are operating on forward-thinking regenerative business models. Where the traditional company seeks only to generate growth, a regenerative business {Piabuo, 2023) sets goals that go beyond profit. Such enterprises aim to have a positive impact on the ecosystems and communities around it, helping them to regenerate. This report presents an overview of potentially regenerative enterprises relevant to the landscapes where the project is working and their approaches to addressing biodiversity and equity.

Key messages

The case studies suggest a number of key considerations for upscaling regenerative enterprises:

·        The Export Dilemma: While high-value export markets utilise consumer demand and capital to set up social enterprises, they create a heavy environmental footprint (due to shipping/refrigeration) and leave the local producers dependent on foreign consumer demand.

·        Managing Trade-offs: Changing business practices into transformative enterprises requires balancing the value-added of export products with the logistical and environmental costs of reaching those markets.

·        Scale vs. Impact: Larger companies have the greatest capacity to drive change at a broad "landscape level," but increased equity may challenge their economic position. Conversely a reliance on niche, high-value markets by social enterprises can limit the number of producers who benefit directly from these shifts.

·        Local Market Potential: Developing domestic markets can empower producers and reduce export dependence, but success relies on local consumers willing to pay for and value sustainability, and an enabling market and regulatory environment.

·        Policy-Driven Change: The Kenyan dairy examples show how environmental outcomes can be driven by national climate policies and forest protection laws rather than market demand alone, also relating to the international policy and climate finance drivers[GM1] .

·        The Strength of Cooperatives: Cooperative models are the most effective at promoting social equity and inclusion for women and youth, especially when supported by Fairtrade. In relation to the environment the models move beyond basic compliance toward active regeneration and climate adaptation.