Best examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation in 2024

Real-world examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation

When people ask for examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation, they’re often bracing for fluffy marketing. Instead, let’s look at companies tying conservation directly to core operations, risk management, and long-term value.

Here are several real examples where conservation is not a side project, but part of how the business actually runs.

1. Patagonia: Funding grassroots biodiversity protection

Patagonia is the textbook example of a brand using its business model to drive conservation. The company commits 1% of sales to environmental causes through its “1% for the Planet” model and has directed hundreds of millions of dollars to local groups protecting rivers, forests, and wildlife corridors.

A few conservation-focused CSR initiatives from Patagonia:

• Long-term funding for grassroots organizations working on dam removal and river restoration in North and South America.
• Legal and advocacy support for protecting public lands and marine areas.
• Public campaigns that encourage customers to buy less and repair more, reducing pressure on raw materials and habitats.

This is one of the best examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation because Patagonia doesn’t treat conservation as a separate charity function. It’s integrated into brand identity, product design, and political advocacy.

2. Unilever: Regenerating landscapes in agricultural supply chains

Unilever’s ingredients come from farms, forests, and fisheries around the world, which means biodiversity risk is business risk. As part of its sustainable sourcing programs, Unilever has launched CSR initiatives focused on:

• Supporting regenerative agriculture practices (cover crops, reduced tillage, agroforestry) with suppliers.
• Working with certification schemes like the Rainforest Alliance to protect forests and wildlife habitat in tea, cocoa, and palm oil supply chains.
• Funding smallholder training on soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity-friendly farming.

Unilever’s approach is a strong example of CSR initiatives focused on conservation that are embedded directly into procurement and supplier support. Conservation here is not just about donations; it’s about reshaping how land is used in the value chain.

For context on why this matters, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization has repeatedly highlighted how agriculture is a major driver of biodiversity loss and land degradation (FAO). Companies that depend on agricultural commodities simply can’t ignore this.

3. Microsoft: Protecting forests through carbon and biodiversity projects

Microsoft’s climate commitments include a strong nature component. Beyond buying carbon credits, the company is investing in projects that deliver both emissions reductions and biodiversity benefits, such as:

• Forest conservation and restoration projects that protect habitat while storing carbon.
• Partnerships with NGOs and research institutions to improve measurement of ecosystem services.
• Funding technology tools (AI, satellite monitoring) to track deforestation and habitat change.

These efforts offer examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation that are tech-enabled and data-heavy. Microsoft’s approach aligns with emerging guidance on nature-related reporting, including frameworks from the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

4. Nestlé: Water stewardship and watershed protection

Nestlé has been under intense scrutiny for water use, which has pushed the company to develop more serious water stewardship programs. Recent CSR initiatives focused on conservation include:

• Watershed restoration projects near bottling and manufacturing facilities, including wetland rehabilitation and riparian buffer restoration.
• Collaborative water stewardship efforts with local communities and NGOs to improve river health and groundwater recharge.
• Investments in nature-based solutions to reduce flood risk and improve water quality.

This is a very practical example of CSR initiatives focused on conservation tied to a specific resource: freshwater. Protecting watersheds benefits local ecosystems, communities, and the company’s license to operate.

For background on why watershed protection is so important, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides accessible guidance on how healthy watersheds support biodiversity and human health (EPA Watershed Academy).

5. Walmart: Forest-positive sourcing and habitat protection

Walmart’s scale makes its sourcing decisions a powerful lever for conservation. In recent years, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have supported:

• Forest-positive sourcing policies for beef, soy, palm oil, and paper products, aimed at reducing deforestation.
• Conservation projects in the Amazon and other critical biomes through partnerships with NGOs.
• Landscape and jurisdictional approaches where multiple stakeholders coordinate to protect forests across entire regions, not just individual farms.

These programs offer real examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation that operate at landscape scale. Instead of fixing one farm at a time, Walmart is experimenting with systems-level interventions that can protect large habitats and wildlife populations.

6. Apple: Restoring mangroves and coastal ecosystems

Apple has invested in nature-based projects that protect coastal ecosystems, which are both biodiversity hotspots and powerful carbon sinks. Examples include:

• Mangrove restoration projects in Colombia and other countries to protect shorelines, support fisheries, and store carbon.
• Collaboration with Conservation International and local communities to design conservation programs that deliver both ecological and economic benefits.
• Integration of these projects into broader climate and supply-chain strategies, rather than treating them as isolated philanthropy.

This is a compelling example of CSR initiatives focused on conservation where climate and biodiversity goals overlap. Coastal ecosystems provide habitat for countless species while also protecting communities from storms and erosion.

7. Starbucks: Shade-grown coffee and habitat conservation

Starbucks has been working for years on sustainable coffee sourcing, and some of the most interesting conservation-focused CSR initiatives come from its work on shade-grown coffee:

• Supporting farmers who maintain shade trees and diverse vegetation on coffee farms, which provides habitat for birds, insects, and other wildlife.
• Collaborating with organizations like Conservation International to promote coffee landscapes that function as biodiversity corridors.
• Providing agronomy training and financial incentives that make biodiversity-friendly practices economically viable for smallholders.

Shade-grown coffee farms can act as mini-forests, protecting soil, water, and species while still producing a cash crop. This offers one of the more accessible examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation for consumer brands that depend on agricultural commodities.

8. Disney: Habitat conservation fund and species protection

The Walt Disney Company runs a long-standing conservation fund that supports projects worldwide. Disney’s CSR initiatives focused on conservation include:

• Funding field projects that protect endangered species and restore critical habitats.
• Supporting community-based conservation programs that link local livelihoods to habitat protection.
• Integrating conservation storytelling into media and park experiences, raising public awareness and funding for conservation partners.

Disney’s approach shows how a media and entertainment company can turn storytelling power into conservation outcomes. It’s a good example of CSR initiatives focused on conservation that combine philanthropy, education, and brand engagement.

Key trends shaping CSR initiatives focused on conservation (2024–2025)

The best examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation share a few patterns that are becoming more visible in 2024–2025.

From generic “green” projects to nature-positive strategies

Companies are shifting from one-off tree planting drives to nature-positive strategies aligned with global biodiversity goals. The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, set a global target to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. That’s pushing companies to:

• Set measurable nature-related targets (hectares restored, species protected, watersheds improved).
• Map nature-related risks and dependencies in their operations and supply chains.
• Report on biodiversity impacts with the same seriousness as carbon emissions.

Organizations like the TNFD and the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) are providing guidance on how to do this. While these are not U.S. government entities, their frameworks are increasingly referenced by regulators and investors in the U.S. and Europe.

Integrating conservation into core business decisions

The most credible examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation don’t live only in the CSR department. They show up in:

• Procurement policies and supplier contracts.
• Capital allocation decisions (for example, funding nature-based solutions instead of only gray infrastructure).
• Product design choices that reduce land, water, and material footprints.

When conservation is treated as a risk management and value-creation issue, not just philanthropy, the initiatives tend to be better funded, better measured, and harder to cut when budgets tighten.

Partnering with science and local communities

Another pattern across the best examples is partnership:

• NGOs and academic institutions bring ecological science, monitoring methods, and long-term field presence.
• Local and Indigenous communities bring knowledge about species, landscapes, and social dynamics.

For instance, many companies now work with universities and conservation NGOs to design and track restoration projects. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service provide data and tools on species and habitat that companies can use to inform conservation planning (USGS Biodiversity).

These partnerships make CSR initiatives more credible, more effective, and more likely to survive leadership changes.

How to design your own CSR initiatives focused on conservation

Looking at these examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation is useful, but the real value comes from adapting the underlying logic to your own context.

1. Start with where your business touches nature

Instead of asking, “What’s a nice example of conservation we can sponsor?” start by mapping where your company depends on and impacts nature:

• Land use (facilities, farms, forests, mining sites)
• Water use (rivers, aquifers, wetlands)
• Raw materials (timber, crops, fish, minerals)
• Supply-chain hotspots (regions with high deforestation or habitat loss)

Then design CSR initiatives that protect or restore those specific ecosystems. That’s how you move from generic charity to strategic conservation.

2. Set clear, measurable conservation outcomes

The strongest real examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation have specific, trackable goals, such as:

• Acres of habitat restored or protected.
• Number of native species reintroduced or supported.
• Reduction in deforestation or water extraction in a given region.

Use baselines and third-party monitoring where possible. Academic partners, conservation NGOs, or government data can help you avoid guesswork. The National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, for example, publish habitat and species data that can inform target-setting in the U.S. (NPS Nature & Science).

3. Combine climate and biodiversity goals

Many of the best examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation are nature-based climate solutions: forest restoration, mangrove recovery, regenerative agriculture, and wetland protection. These can:

• Store carbon and help meet climate targets.
• Protect species and landscapes.
• Reduce physical climate risks (flooding, erosion, drought).

When you pitch conservation internally, framing projects as both climate and biodiversity solutions can unlock more budget and executive attention.

4. Build long-term commitments, not one-year campaigns

Conservation is slow work. Forests take years to mature; species recovery can take decades. The most credible examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation involve multi-year commitments, often 5–10 years or more, with:

• Stable funding.
• Periodic reviews and adaptive management.
• Transparent public reporting.

Short-term campaigns may be good for PR, but they rarely move the needle on ecosystem health.

FAQ: CSR initiatives focused on conservation

What are some real examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation?
Real examples include Patagonia funding grassroots habitat protection, Unilever supporting regenerative agriculture to protect soil and biodiversity, Microsoft investing in forest conservation projects with measurable climate and nature benefits, Nestlé restoring watersheds around its facilities, Walmart backing forest-positive sourcing and Amazon conservation, Apple restoring mangroves and coastal ecosystems, Starbucks promoting shade-grown coffee as wildlife habitat, and Disney funding species and habitat projects worldwide.

How can a small or mid-sized company create its own example of conservation-focused CSR?
You don’t need a billion-dollar budget. Start with your footprint: local parks, rivers, wetlands, or forests near your facilities or supply base. Partner with a local land trust, conservation nonprofit, or university. Focus on one or two habitats you can support for at least five years, and set simple metrics like acres restored, trees planted and surviving, or stream miles improved.

Why are conservation-focused CSR initiatives becoming more visible in 2024–2025?
Several forces are converging: new global biodiversity targets, investor interest in nature-related risks, and growing awareness that climate and biodiversity crises are linked. Regulatory trends in the U.S. and Europe are also pushing companies to disclose more about environmental impacts. As a result, conservation is moving from “nice to have” philanthropy into mainstream risk management and strategy.

What makes the best examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation stand out?
The best examples are tied to core business activities, co-designed with credible partners, backed by long-term funding, and tracked with clear metrics. They don’t just plant trees; they restore functioning ecosystems. They don’t just donate; they change how the company sources, builds, and invests.

Where can I find more guidance on designing conservation projects?
Look at resources from reputable organizations and public agencies. In the U.S., the EPA, USGS, and National Park Service provide guidance and data on ecosystems and restoration. Globally, the UN Environment Programme and the Convention on Biological Diversity offer frameworks and case studies. Academic institutions and conservation NGOs often publish practical guides and toolkits that companies can adapt.

If you treat these examples of CSR initiatives focused on conservation as templates rather than trophies, you can build programs that protect real places, support real species, and still make sense to your CFO and your board.