Principles of Corporate Engagement

Our Principles of Corporate Engagement

Conservation Benefit First:

The proposed engagement must advance a TNC Global or Operating Unit priority and have a defined, tangible conservation benefit that includes places of major conservation value, or a strategy that significantly increases public awareness of conservation, or funding for conservation, or anticipates influencing changes in corporate practices, that will result in increased benefits to conservation with measurable results within three years.

Aligns with Mission and Values:

The engagement must be consistent with the TNC's Mission and Values and should respect the sensitivities of TNC's members, donors, conservation partners and communities in which it works. Examples of a potential failure to align include a conflict of interest, an implication that the relationship will influence TNC's science or priorities, or an engagement that could be offensive to TNC stakeholders. TNC expects third parties and partners with whom we work to conduct themselves in ways that are consistent with our Code of Conduct.

Corporate Reputation, Policies and Practices Not a Material Risk to TNC:

The corporation’s reputation, policies and practices must not present a material risk to TNC's reputation or ability to achieve any of its conservation objectives that is greater than the achievable conservation benefits of the engagement. These risks include environmental risks; human rights violations or similar abuses by the corporation; prosecution of the corporation for illegalities; regulatory compliance failures in places or countries where TNC works; or a highly-publicized controversy related to the corporation.

One Conservancy:

The engagement’s conservation benefit must outweigh risk or potential damage to all Operating Units throughout TNC.

No Endorsement:

TNC's relationship with a corporation is in no way an implied or real endorsement of a corporation or industry. All public communications regarding corporate engagements are subject to prior agreement by TNC and the corporation. No third party entity, including a business, may use TNC's name and/or trademarks without explicit written permission.

No Undue Benefit:

The engagement must not result in private benefit to a corporation—whether a financial benefit or publicity—that exceeds the benefits received by TNC and its mission. The level of promotion should be appropriate to the type of engagement.

Transparent and Independent Role of TNC:

TNC must always be publicly transparent about its role in and the use of analyses and data that may be produced as a result of a corporate engagement, including complying with the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Standards for Charity Accountability, when applicable. At TNC's discretion, peer organizations, governments, the academic community and other interested parties may be consulted about the conservation work. The engagement must always be on the following terms:

• TNC and the corporation agree that the primary analysis or work product is not proprietary to the corporation or association, will be freely offered to interested governmental agencies, other companies and stakeholders, and may be published in peer-reviewed scientific literature or other print media; and
• TNC will seek input on its analysis as appropriate from regulatory agencies and other key stakeholders; and
• If TNC's work is part of a regulatory process, TNC's science will be incorporated without editorial or substantive changes into the appropriate public record for review by other stakeholders; and
• TNC retains the option to publicly comment on the merits of any corporation’s activities, development proposals or other matters that affect our conservation priorities.
• TNC will disclose the identities of companies with whom it engages and the nature and purpose of its corporate engagements.
• TNC will share general knowledge and expertise gained in corporate engagements to promote better conservation business practices and public policies at sectoral, national and international levels.

Commitment by the Corporation to Conservation and Environmental Sustainability:

The company must demonstrate a commitment to advancing conservation and environmental objectives of significant, lasting and measurable scope. The company must have policies or practices to address its significant environmental impacts or intend to develop these through or during its engagement with TNC. The corporation must report transparently on its progress in implementing these policies and practices. TNC will engage only when satisfied with the company’s level of commitment and performance, as determined by due diligence.

TNC Right to Terminate:

TNC will continuously evaluate the conservation impact of its work with corporations, and may discontinue concrete corporate engagements if the impacts achieved are not satisfactory. TNC must retain its unilateral right to terminate a corporate engagement for reasons relating to actual or potential reputational harm or legal compliance, breach of an agreement, and misuse of TNC's intellectual property including TNC's name.

Acceptance of Funds:

In conjunction with any corporate engagement, TNC may accept funds from a corporation to support the development of a particular project or work product when:

• It does not compromise, or appear to compromise, TNC's independence, objectivity and science, and
• It does not conflict with an existing engagement with the corporation.