Nature and biodiversity loss are among the biggest challenges of our time. Did you know that half of global GDP (around US$44 trillion) is moderately or highly dependent on nature (according to the World Economic Forum)? We need nature.

Without healthy ecosystems our economy will face scarcity of raw materials, increased water stress, and higher costs. Many companies contribute to nature loss through their operations and value chains, including through land-use change, habitat degradation, pollution and overexploitation. Incorporating nature into your sustainability strategy can help reduce these impacts while strengthening business resilience, innovation and long-term value.

One key contributor to less action being taken on nature has to do with nature being less easy to measure, compared to for instance carbon impact. Yet, frameworks are increasingly being established to help you out. Such as The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures Framework, Science-Based Targets for Nature, and The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

A leading example is Kering, which in 2024 became the first company in the world to officially adopt Science-Based Targets for Nature (SBTN) covering both land and freshwater impacts. This followed its participation in a year-long pilot program run by the Science Based Targets Network. Kering owns luxury brands including Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, and Balenciaga. Instead of using only company-wide averages, Kering identified specific environmental hotspots. For example, it focuses on the Arno River basin in Tuscany, Italy, where many of its leather tanneries and suppliers operate and where water use is significant. Even before SBTN targets existed, Kering launched a biodiversity strategy. SBTN covers your full scope of operation and value chain.

During EU Green Week, on June 4 and 5, one major theme was the”Re:Invest in Nature” initiative to help mobilize private capital for biodiversity and ecosystem restoration projects. Many businesses can play a role here, such as regenerative agriculture, nature-positive business models, soil health initiatives, urban greening, etc.

An example here is Holcim, a building materials company, that has set it as their goal to leave nature in a better state than they found it, particularly at quarry sites. They do this through active rehabilitation, habitat creation, wetland restoration, wildlife corridors, and freshwater stewardship. The  company measures progress using its Biodiversity Indicator Reporting System (BIRS), developed with the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This is an intensive example across Holcim’s entire way of working, but you can also take a more facility-specific approach, such as the pollinator-friendly landscapes around IKEA stores and at bol.

Nature offers a source for learning, and the topic can be wide and complex. That’s an excellent opportunity to not go about it alone but working together with key stakeholders in or outside your organization. For instance, Patagonia stimulates employees to leave their normal job for up to two months and work full-time with an environmental organization of their choice while continuing to receive their salary and benefit.

In case you don’t have any land yourself – as many businesses do – no problem! Employees at Accenture and FBTO contributed to Honey Highway in establishing pollinator-friendly flower meadows, others support local regenerative activities such as through re-generation, and Bird Brewery donates to IUCN to protect species at risk. You can also work together with shared frameworks, such as in the platform Samen voor Biodiversiteit and Network Nature. The model of the Zoönomical Institute is also helpful if you want a practical guide to start measuring and taking action towards becoming ecologically regenerative.