More than one million species are currently facing extinction to various degrees, accelerating the biodiversity loss crisis the world is currently dealing with. For many businesses, this is a material challenge. The value of nature to the global economy is massive, with up to $44 trillion (£32.48 trillion) in GDP value being moderately or highly dependent on it. Recently, many organisations have been adopting a nature-positive business strategy to address the effects of biodiversity loss. The result is a strategic framework that integrates the restoration of ecosystems into the heart of decision-making in business.
A nature-positive business strategy is a systematic approach that prioritises actions across a company’s value chain to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Unlike traditional sustainability models that aim to reduce harm, nature positivity is about regenerating ecosystems and achieving measurable biodiversity gains.
Research from the Institute of Sustainability Studies states that such a strategy is rooted in three core principles:
This strategy has the potential to transform how a company evaluates risk, allocates capital and creates long-term value for clients, investors, employees and other stakeholders.
Nature risk could equal business risk
The loss of important ecological services like pollination, cleaning water, soil fertility and carbon sequestration put business continuity and supply chain resilience at risk. Extreme weather events like deforestation and land degradation are increasing the frequency of floods, wildfires and droughts. A corporation can proffer solutions, handle ecological risk and become more resilient to shocks from nature by adopting a nature-positive business strategy.
Increased regulatory requirements
The global policy landscape is rapidly converging around nature, with the most regulations being:
Already having a nature-positive business strategy in place positions a company ahead of compliance and enables proactive engagement with these frameworks.
Renewed investor and consumer pressure
Investors are beginning to integrate nature risk into ESG assessments, with initiatives like Nature Action 100 calling on companies to act on biodiversity. At the same time, consumers are rewarding nature positive companies that demonstrate leadership in sustainability and ecological regeneration. Nature-related risks are also being factored into sovereign credit ratings, potentially affecting the cost of capital. For instance, it is predicted that the collapse of nature in countries like China and India could increase annual interest payments on debt by up to US$53 billion (£39.4 billion) a year.
Learn More: How Science-Based Targets for Nature Promote Biodiversity Conservation
Companies that adopt a nature-positive business strategy can get a lot of real and intangible benefits, such as:
Learn More: The Economic Benefits of Biodiversity
It takes a methodical, scientifically based approach to develop a nature-positive business strategy that is both believable and successful. Key components include:
Step 1: Map and Manage Biodiversity Impacts
Evaluate both direct and indirect impacts on biodiversity across your operations and supply chain. Create a biodiversity baseline to help determine key insights from data collected. Include metrics for species diversity, habitat connectivity and ecosystem function.
Step 2: Set Science-Based Targets for Nature
Align with frameworks like the GBF and the Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) to set goals for freshwater use, ecosystem restoration and species recovery. These must be location-specific and measurable.
Step 3: Integrate Nature into Strategy and Governance
Board-level accountability, cross-departmental collaboration and dedicated funding are crucial. Nature should be embedded in investment decisions, product development and risk management.
Step 4: Measure, Monitor and Disclose Progress
Use geospatial data, satellite imagery and ecological indicators to track outcomes. Disclose performance via ESG reports, TNFD disclosures or integrated sustainability frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
To ensure consistency and credibility, a nature-positive business strategy must align with key global frameworks:
|
Framework |
Focus |
Relevance |
|
TNFD |
Risk and opportunity disclosure |
Supports capital allocation and ESG performance |
|
GBF |
Global biodiversity goals |
Target 15 requires impact reporting by 2030 |
|
SBTN |
Science-based targets for nature |
Guides measurable goals for land, water and biodiversity |
|
Nature Positive by 2030 |
Shared global ambition |
Urges companies to contribute to biodiversity net gain |
This standardisation lets businesses compare their performance, avoid greenwashing, and disclose progress to regulators and stakeholders in a way that everyone can understand.
As nature risk becomes boardroom risk, the firms who lead on biodiversity will be the ones that are better positioned, more recognised and really make a difference in the future. Adopting a nature-positive business strategy offers a chance to future-proof operations and lead the transformation toward a regenerative, resilient economy. At Tunley Environmental, we offer an evidence-based framework to help companies transition their operations through detailed research and data-driven insights. Our comprehensive nature positive pathways methodology supports clients through biodiversity baselining, risk, risk assessment and strategy development aligned with TNFD and GBF. Learn more about what pathway is best for your business here.