The challenges of incorporating natural capital into business culture

The remarkable economic growth and prosperity of the last 50 years has come at a high cost to natural systems. Even though more than half of global GDP is moderately or highly dependent on nature, human activities have already severely altered 75% of terrestrial and 66% of marine ecosystems.

On a per capita basis, in the last two decades alone while produced capital has doubled and human capital has increased by 13%, natural capital has declined by 40%. A recent report by Business for Nature and The B Team warns that the world spends 2% of global GDP per year on subsidies that damage the environment; whereas investing in nature could generate more than €9 billion and 395 million jobs by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum.

Given this reality, we are facing a critical moment in which the action and collaboration of all market actors is crucial to move towards a new paradigm in the way we relate to nature that considers the value it provides us.

On Thursday 24 March we organize together with Fundación Alternativas a round table discussion with representatives from business, finance, conservation and associations to learn about the challenges faced by their respective organizations and stakeholders when considering natural capital as an asset, and how they are working and establishing alliances to support progress towards a positive world for nature and people.

This social innovation action is part of the Nature-Incore initiative, funded by Fundación Biodiversidad of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), through the Empleaverde Programme, an initiative to promote and improve employment, entrepreneurship and the environment. It is co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) within the framework of the Operational Programme for Employment, Training and Education 2014-2020.