The Economic Case for Nature
The Economic Case for Nature
Climate adaptation is increasingly urgent as the effects of climate change are disrupting business operations and communities across the globe, with some individuals and sectors affected more severely than others. The Economic Case for Nature aims to encourage all businesses to recognise their role in protecting and restoring nature, which is a fundamental building block of a flourishing society. The air we breathe, the parks we relax in, and the food on our plates are sustained through ecosystems, which are under threat. An increasingly inclusive interpretation of growth is emerging across parts of the UK, particularly through the Welsh and Scottish Governments’ approaches, which place greater emphasis on wellbeing, resilience and environmental sustainability alongside economic performance. The private sector must go further in climate adaptation to support business continuity and community resilience.
The briefing outlines how nature underpins several recommendations set out in the Future Ready Economy report published in October 2025. It illustrates what is at risk if businesses in all sectors are not prepared to commit to integrated sustainability strategies, and, in the same breath, the opportunities on the table. The paper continues to provide a few steps to consider for those at the beginning of their integrated sustainability journey, including understanding the business relationship with nature, collaborating, creating a strategy, and investing in nature to futureproof business. These steps are aligned with the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures, and the briefing naturally leads onto the next paper, Nature and Resilience Insights.
