The rationale for this focus is that the regulatory framework is foundational to successful mainstreaming, and regulation is the responsibility of government. In support of this, there have been several biodiversity mainstreaming interventions that have targeted the private sector, including production sectors such as agriculture, forestry and mining, which have resulted in significant biodiversity gains. Even these private sector mainstreaming interventions require strong support from the relevant government departments to be successful. Some of the key ingredients that have proven to be effective biodiversity mainstreaming strategies countrywide are assessed.