Nature-based Solutions for Business

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The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines nature-based solutions (NbS) as “actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural and modified ecosystems in ways that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, to provide both human well-being and biodiversity benefits”.

For businesses, integrating NbS into their operations and value chains can unlock a holistic range of benefits. By acting as a buffer against the impacts of climate change, NbS can play a crucial role in protecting key sourcing landscapes and operational sites from climate shocks such as drought, floods, and extreme heat, in turn helping to minimise supply chain disruption risks and futureproof companies’ commercial activities.

When deployed correctly, NbS can also help companies tackle multiple sustainability challenges at once, enabling them to reduce their emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change, move beyond net zero towards becoming ‘nature positive’, and maintain their license to operate by delivering socio-economic value to local stakeholders.

Nature is everyone’s business, so it is crucial that more businesses integrate NbS into their climate, nature, and wider sustainability strategy.

2024 WEBINAR SERIES:

To help businesses learn how they can identify, implement, and finance viable NbS in line with their commercial and sustainability priorities, the UN Global Compact Network UK hosted a four-part ‘Nature-based Solutions for Business’ webinar series, kindly supported by One Carbon World. The series was developed to help attendees:

  • Understand the business case for implementing NbS and identify relevant NbS that could be suitable to implement in their direct operations, within their value chain, or outside of their value chain (i.e., as an investment in beyond value chain mitigation).
  • Receive practical guidance on how to implement, monitor, and maintain various types of NbS (land-based solutions, urban solutions, and freshwater & marine solutions) in line with the principles underpinning the IUCN Global Standard for NbS.
  • Hear examples of how leading businesses have successfully deployed NbS in partnership with local stakeholders to deliver business benefits and generate wider socio-economic value.
  • Learn what further action is needed to close the financing gap and scale NbS.

Past Sessions

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Romie Goedicke den Hertog
Co-Head of Nature
UNEP-FI

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Liam Stokes
Natural Environment and Communications Director
The Broadway Initiative

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David Donnelly
Senior Adviser – Finance for Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
WWF UK

Greta Talbot-Jones

Greta Talbot-Jones
Director – Natural Capital
Aviva Investors

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Marieke Nieuwaal
Technical Principal – Nature-based Solutions
Mott MacDonald

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Michael Copleston
England Director
RSPB

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Samir Whitaker
Biodiversity Lead Specialist
Ørsted

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Hayley Warrens (Moderator)
Head of Carbon Removals
One Carbon World

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Peter Beare
Nature-based Solutions Manager
WBCSD

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Annie Donegan
Manager – Global Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Nature Centre
KPMG

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Boris Erg
Regional Director (Europe)
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

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Rachel Short
Senior Ecology Manager
ScottishPower Renewables

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Tom Blenkinsopp
Product Sustainability and Stewardship Lead
Reckitt

For any questions about this series, please contact Pauline Girma, Project Manager (Environment).