After "Decarbonization" Comes "Nature Restoration"
For the past decade, the keyword in the business world has been "decarbonization (carbon neutral)." But now, a new wave with equal or greater impact is coming. That is "Nature Positive."
This is an international goal to halt biodiversity loss and "turn nature positive."
Why Does It Matter to Business?
"Isn't nature protection just part of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities?" Business leaders who think this way may be left behind by the times. Biodiversity is now a business risk itself, and at the same time, a massive business opportunity.
1. Nature as Risk
* Physical Risks: Factories cannot operate due to water shortages, crops cannot grow due to loss of pollinators. * Transition Risks: Strengthening environmental regulations, soaring raw material prices, halting of financing to companies that don't consider nature.
2. Nature as Opportunity
The World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that the transition to Nature Positive will create $10 trillion in annual business opportunities and 395 million jobs.
* Sustainable agriculture and food systems * Green infrastructure * Energy efficiency
TNFD: Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures
What cemented this trend is TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures). Think of it as the "nature version" of TCFD for climate change.
TNFD requires companies to disclose "how much their business depends on and impacts nature." Going forward, investors will use this information to decide where to invest. In other words, a system is being created where "money won't flow to companies that don't protect nature."
What Small and Medium Businesses Can Do
You might think, "That's only for large corporations." However, since responses across the entire supply chain are required, small and medium businesses are not unrelated.
First, let's start with what can be done close to home.
- Know: Think about how your business depends on nature.
- Measure: Monitor the natural environment around your factories and offices.
- Change: Review your suppliers, advance greening efforts.
Nature Positive is not merely a cost. It is a survival strategy for building a company that lasts 100 years.