Learn about business and nature

Every workplace has a role to play

Businesses are in a unique position to help solve the nature crisis because many have influence through their value or supply chains. They can move faster than any government in tackling a problem and they have access to some of the best minds, funding and technology.

But we need to accelerate the levels of understanding amongst business leaders and employees. Many businesses have woken up to the climate crisis and are planning their journeys to net zero. But the destruction of nature is an interlinked and equally critical threat that many businesses are unprepared for – only 3 in every 100 UK businesses currently monitor nature and biodiversity risks.

Macro photo of Robin on a small stool coppice

We’ve lost so much, that the UK is now one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, ranking in the bottom 10% globally.

In 2021 alone, economic loss due to natural catastrophes was US$270 billion.

The cost of not dealing with the nature and climate crisis is predicted to be vastly greater than investment in change and solutions.

Globally, the picture is equally worrying

WWF’s Living Planet Report shows average population sizes (the stock) of wildlife have declined by 69% since 1970. That's on average - some species have declined as much as 85 or 95%. To put that in perspective imagine the department you work in losing 85-95% of its people.

55% of global economy is moderately or heavily dependent on natural resources.

Nature is fundamental to the global economy. Yet the way we do business today is responsible for a huge amount of the destruction of our natural world. Our food system alone is the biggest driver of biodiversity loss globally and accounts for nearly a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions.

“If we can inspire the 30 million people at work in the UK to think about nature in their day-to-day decisions, just think how powerful that could be to bring real change to our natural environment.”

Hilary, Director-General National Trust, Beccy, Chief Executive of the RSPB and Tanya, CEO of WWF

‘Building confidence is really important - it comes back to having that 2-way movement of change; equipping businesses with the tools and the knowledge that they need but also doing the same for employees, especially helping them to think about their business in a different way and change the way they make decisions - having that knowledge and that understanding to be able to do that as well.’

Ella, Senior Sustainability Analyst at OVO Energy

‘For those unsure how to champion the consideration of nature in business practices, Nature’s Workforce helps you start by the simple act of just holding a conversation. From there everything becomes achievable.’

Steve, Financial Services