You are well known for your water projects. How does that translate into biodiversity?

Kristel: “We have been working with Natuurpunt and Natagora on nature restoration projects for over ten years now, including the restoration of wetlands. Our goal is 100% water replenishment: for every litre of water we use, we aim to return an equivalent amount to nature through restoration projects, such as those in the Zwarte Beek Valley. Our sites in Ghent and Antwerp are located in areas with a high risk of water scarcity, which is why we set the bar even higher there. By retaining water for longer and maintaining groundwater levels, these areas also act as climate buffers. At the same time, species such as wetland birds, fish and dragonflies are once again given the opportunity to return to their natural habitats.”

“We also see other companies following our example, and we genuinely welcome that. The more businesses that get involved, the greater the impact.”

What are the biggest challenges to integrating biodiversity into your strategy?

Kristel: “Measuring impact is one of the biggest stumbling blocks. With water, we know exactly how much we use, but biodiversity is far more complex. How do you put the value of nature restoration into numbers? It’s precisely this complexity that we are exploring together with other companies in the Community of Practice of The Biodiversity Shift.

Beyond that, no company can do this on its own. Collaboration with NGOs and public authorities is essential. For nature restoration projects, land often first needs to be acquired or made available. That is primarily the role of the government, working together with NGOs that take on land management. From there, we can contribute through our expertise and by supporting concrete projects.

It remains a complex interplay between government, agriculture and the business community. Through The Shift, we can build bridges between these actors and take bigger steps together.

How does the current political climate affect your work?

Kristel: “Legislation on the environment and water quality is a key factor. We appreciate the efforts being made in Flanders to address water scarcity, but groundwater quality remains a challenge. We understand that the political landscape is complex, with many competing priorities and limited resources, yet we hope sufficient attention continues to be given to both climate and nature. This is crucial, not only for the environment, but also for businesses themselves if we want to secure a sustainable supply of raw materials.”

How far along are you with your nature strategy?

Kristel: “We are working at group level, across 31 countries, on a strategy to structurally embed biodiversity. We do this based on the TNFD methodology (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures). Each country has its own specific needs. The situation in Belgium is very different from, say, the Philippines. We want to fully understand these local differences before defining global priorities. Our aim is to further develop our nature strategy in 2026.”

What has the community of practice brought you?

Kristel: “A lot. The programme creates space to share knowledge with companies grappling with similar questions. Everyone is looking for ways to make biodiversity tangible, and that happens in an open and highly constructive atmosphere.

What we find particularly valuable is that the community also enables real collaboration. One outcome of these exchanges is a partnership between Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Delhaize and Natuurpunt on a joint project investing in nature engagement and experience.

We also learn a lot from each other’s approaches: how companies shape their strategies, how they create internal support, and how they work with partners. For us, that helps us understand how to translate our existing water projects into broader biodiversity goals.”

What tips do you have for companies looking to start with biodiversity?

Kristel: “Start from the intention to make positive impact. That has to be at the core of your company and supported by management. Then find the logical link with your activities. For us that is water. Keep it simple, set concrete goals and work with experts whenever possible. Don’t be put off by complexity or the fear of doing it wrong: you don’t have to do it alone.

I believe that change can also come from industry. Companies are often seen as the cause of certain problems, but just there we can show that things can be different, by working together and taking responsibility we can show that we are part of the solution.”