Barriers to Addressing Biodiversity Conservation in Multinational Companies and Strategies to Overcome Them

Abstract

ABSTRACT Corporate initiatives supporting biodiversity conservation in multinational companies (MNCs) face limited commitment despite biodiversity's multiple benefits. Although reasons associated with MNCs' commitment are documented and include increased profits, stakeholder pressure, or reputation, those preventing it remain unclear. This study investigates the decision‐making processes related to biodiversity issues in a sample of 16 multi‐sectoral MNCs, uncovering how information is managed internally. It identifies barriers experienced by all 16 companies and explores their underlying drivers. We find that biodiversity issues follow ill‐suited organizational routines, characterized by insufficient slack resources, and rely on tools that lack operational relevance—including the current double materiality assessment. Our results also highlight the limited influence of stakeholders, supply‐chain interdependencies, and tensions between individual and collective scales that hinder organizational adaptation. Finally, we reveal how external factors beyond corporate control shape these barriers and suggest strategies to overcome them, advocating for systemic change and deeper community engagement.