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Learn why Investment in nature recovery is vital to improve the resilience of the UK economy to nature and climate risks and to achieve the government’s economic objectives.
Feature
Nature Positive economy
How changes to the economy can help nature thrive.
On this page
Why do we need a Nature Positive economy?
The economy influences most decisions governments, businesses and individuals make. Together, our challenge is to ensure that by 2030, decisions made by all businesses drive the shift to a Nature Positive economy. If we fail to do so, we will see irrecoverable species loss and declines in the life-giving ecosystem services (like clean air and water) our societies rely on.
How do we get there?
A Nature Positive economy will involve change across the whole of society and a drastic shift in our approach to economic policy making. We want to make sure nature is accounted for in all business and financial decisions. This will actively contribute to nature’s recovery and show its benefits for business. It will also, crucially, minimise negative impacts on nature and support businesses that rely on ecosystem services like clean air and water.
Business as usual is not an option
The 2021 Dasgupta Review defines Nature Positive as making sure ‘that our demands on nature do not exceed its supply, and that we increase nature’s supply relative to its current level’. This goal must be translated into measurable actions, against which businesses and other organisations can be held accountable. The path to Nature Positive will be different for each economic sector, therefore the nature-positive movement must be flexible, evidence-based, and collaborative.
What we're doing
We have decades of practical experience working with key sectors across land use (eg farming and forestry) and built infrastructure. We are committed to being a leader in Nature Positive actions, collaborating with partners and using our influence and expertise to drive change in key sectors, policies, law and regulations.
The Economic Case for Nature
Investment in nature recovery can deliver new jobs, economic growth and hundreds of billions of pounds in wider benefits to society. At the same time, it has the potential to reduce our economic and national security risks and deliver new export opportunities. Yet so far, nature has been sidelined in economic policy and this has to change now.
Our vision for a nature-positive economy
An economy that works to address biodiversity loss and improve wellbeing for all by:
- Halting the loss of critical natural ecosystems
- Protecting and restoring at least 30% of UK land, inland waters, coasts and oceans
- Fully reflecting the value of nature in all decision-making so that people, governments and businesses are motivated to enhance nature
- Addressing climate challenges, developing sustainable resource use, tackling invasive species, and significantly reducing pollution across society.