Accelerating Business Action for Nature: How Can Businesses Contribute to a Nature-Positive World?

In recent decades, the Earth’s natural resources have been steadily declining, jeopardizing ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Over the past 50 years, wildlife populations have experienced an alarming 69% decline, with one-third of all species at risk of extinction. This rapid loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services poses a critical threat to the global economy, with over half of the world’s GDP directly tied to natural systems. From agriculture and forestry to tourism and fishing, nature underpins vital sectors that provide jobs, food, and essential services to billions of people.

In response to this crisis, the “nature-positive” movement has emerged as a rallying cry for businesses, governments, and society to halt and reverse the damage done to our planet. The goal of this movement is not only to stop further degradation but to restore ecosystems, improve biodiversity, and ensure the long-term health of the environment. It is a movement that calls for businesses to reimagine their role in society and the environment, focusing on building resilience and sustainability.

As businesses and investors increasingly recognize the immense risks posed by nature loss, they are starting to align their operations with environmental goals, including achieving net-zero emissions. Leading companies are beginning to realize that protecting and restoring nature isn’t just about mitigating risks; it is about unlocking new opportunities and securing competitive advantages in an increasingly eco-conscious market. For instance, businesses that prioritize sustainable practices, invest in renewable energy, or support regenerative agriculture models are attracting both customers and investors who care about environmental responsibility.

Governments and financial institutions are also recognizing the urgency of addressing nature loss. Central banks, financial regulators, and policy makers are acknowledging that biodiversity loss is a systemic risk to the global economy. In response, they are introducing policies, regulations, and financial measures aimed at incentivizing businesses to adopt sustainable practices and address nature-related risks. Despite these efforts, many businesses are still grappling with how to operationalize “nature-positive” goals. This includes difficulties in understanding their direct and indirect dependencies on natural resources, as well as how to integrate nature into business strategies and capital allocation decisions.

To create meaningful change, businesses must shift from traditional business models that deplete natural resources to ones that regenerate and protect the environment. This transformation can be achieved through several key strategies:

1. Understanding Nature-Related Risks and Dependencies The first step for any business in pursuing nature-positive goals is to understand its relationship with nature. Companies must assess their dependencies on natural resources, such as water, land, and raw materials, and evaluate how their operations impact ecosystems. By identifying potential risks—whether related to resource scarcity, changing climate conditions, or ecosystem degradation—businesses can take proactive measures to reduce their environmental footprint and adapt to changing conditions.
2. Building Regenerative and Sustainable Supply Chains One of the most effective ways for businesses to contribute to a nature-positive world is by transforming their supply chains. This involves sourcing materials sustainably, reducing waste, and adopting practices that promote the regeneration of ecosystems. For example, companies in the fashion industry can move towards circular economy models by using recycled materials, supporting ethical production methods, and ensuring that products are designed for durability and reuse. Similarly, businesses in agriculture can adopt regenerative farming practices, such as crop rotation, agroforestry, and holistic land management, to restore soil health and biodiversity.
3. Collaborating with Non-Profits and Governments Achieving a nature-positive future requires collective action from businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government entities. Companies should seek to collaborate with environmental organizations to support conservation initiatives, restore ecosystems, and drive innovation in sustainable solutions. Governments, too, play a critical role by creating policies and providing incentives for businesses to adopt environmentally friendly practices. By working together, businesses can help scale up efforts to protect biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions, and address other environmental challenges.
4. Tracking Progress with Nature-Positive Metrics As businesses adopt nature-positive strategies, it is essential that they track their progress and measure their impact on the environment. This can be done by adopting frameworks and metrics that help quantify the contribution to biodiversity restoration, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem regeneration. Tools such as the Natural Capital Protocol, which helps businesses measure their environmental impacts, can guide decision-making and improve transparency. Additionally, businesses can use data to communicate their sustainability achievements to stakeholders, including customers, investors, and regulators.
5. Empowering Youth in Sustainability Today’s youth are a driving force behind environmental activism, demanding that businesses take action to protect the planet. Companies can tap into the values and perspectives of young people by involving them in decision-making processes, supporting youth-led environmental initiatives, and prioritizing sustainability in their operations. Integrating youth perspectives into long-term strategies for nature-positive innovation will ensure that businesses are future-ready and aligned with the values of the next generation of leaders, consumers, and workers.

Several best practices are already emerging within the business world that show promise in accelerating the transition to a nature-positive economy:

1. Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) Nature-based solutions are initiatives that use natural systems to address environmental challenges while benefiting biodiversity and society. These solutions include reforestation, wetland restoration, and sustainable agriculture practices that help protect ecosystems and improve carbon sequestration. Businesses in the energy, agriculture, and construction sectors can invest in NbS to mitigate climate change and restore biodiversity.
2. Circular Economy Practices A circular economy model focuses on minimizing waste, reusing materials, and ensuring that products have a longer life cycle. By shifting away from the traditional linear model of “take, make, dispose,” businesses can reduce their reliance on finite resources and reduce environmental degradation. Companies across industries—from fashion to electronics—are adopting circular economy principles to extend product life and minimize their environmental impact.
3. Regenerative Business Practices Regenerative business practices go beyond sustainability by actively restoring and renewing natural systems. This could involve planting trees to offset carbon emissions, restoring damaged ecosystems, or regenerating soils through agroecological practices. Companies that embrace regenerative practices can help repair the environmental damage caused by industrial activities and contribute to the long-term health of the planet.
4. Sustainable Supply Chain Management By embracing transparency and traceability, businesses can ensure that their supply chains are free from deforestation, exploitation, and environmental harm. This means working with suppliers that adhere to environmental and social standards and implementing sustainability criteria in procurement decisions. This commitment extends to reducing the carbon footprint of transportation and logistics, optimizing resource use, and preventing environmental degradation from raw material extraction.

Achieving systemic change requires collaboration between businesses, non-profits, governments, and other stakeholders. Through joint efforts, businesses can help drive the adoption of policies that prioritize nature-positive goals and contribute to the development of shared solutions. By working together, these stakeholders can build a more resilient, sustainable, and regenerative economy.

The business world is at a crossroads, with the opportunity to redefine its role in shaping the future of our planet. By embracing nature-positive practices, businesses can help protect and restore ecosystems, mitigate environmental risks, and create long-term value for society. The transformation toward a nature-positive future will require bold leadership, innovation, and collaboration across all sectors. However, the rewards are significant—a thriving, resilient planet that sustains both people and nature for generations to come.