Embedding Biodiversity into Organisational Strategy – Comments on Draft SANS
On 18 February 2026, the Biodiversity Law Centre submitted comments on the Draft SANS 17298: Biodiversity – Considering biodiversity in the strategy and operations of organisations.
South Africa is at a pivotal moment in aligning corporate operations with biodiversity goals, and particularly Target 15 of the Global Biodiversity Framework, which requires companies to monitor, assess, and transparently disclose their risks, dependencies and impacts on biodiversity.
The Draft SANS presents a unique opportunity to integrate biodiversity considerations into organisational decision-making, in line with our constitutional, statutory, and international commitments.
In reviewing the Draft SANS, we highlighted several areas for refinement:
- Ensuring key provisions are enforceable and not merely voluntary.
- Establishing independent oversight and verification mechanisms.
- Differentiating requirements based on organisational scale and impact.
- Aligning practical implementation with existing frameworks such as King V and sectoral best practices.
By integrating these Draft SANS into law – possibly through mechanisms like regulations under NEMBA and the Companies Act – they could move from voluntary guidance to mandatory, legally enforceable standards, supporting accountability and transparency.
Biodiversity is a business issue as much as it is an environmental issue. The Draft SANS provide a foundation for South African organisations to lead in sustainable practices, manage ecological risks, and demonstrate measurable positive impact.
We encourage all stakeholders to engage with these Draft SANS and contribute to shaping a legally robust, practical framework that aligns biodiversity protection with corporate strategy.
Our full comments are available to read here: