Produced by East Midlands Chamber, the University of Derby and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, the Better Business for Nature report and toolkit outlines actions businesses can take to embrace sustainable and biodiverse approaches, while addressing barriers to adoption of Nature-based Solutions.
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are actions that protect, manage or restore ecosystems to address societal challenges, benefiting both people and biodiversity. Examples include ecosystem restoration, green infrastructure, sustainable land management, and ethical supply chains.
Benefits to business of adopting Nature-based Solutions, as identified in the toolkit, include:
- Enhanced site biodiversity – reduce energy costs and help manage climate risks
- Water management – reduce the risk and severity of flooding, especially from heavy rainfall
- Carbon offsetting – strengthen competitiveness and attractiveness to customers, investors and employees
- Employee wellbeing – enhance mental and physical health, creativity and productivity
- Brand reputation – add validation and credibility to green credentials
East Midlands Chamber Director of Resources Lucy Robinson said: “Exploring approaches to business operation that embrace biodiversity or contribute to tackling climate change is essential but few firms have capacity to devote time to detailed research into the wide range of ways that can be achieved and how it can work for their business needs – that’s why this toolkit is so helpful.
“Cutting energy costs, boosting employee wellbeing and attracting customers or investors are among things businesses strive for but clear, to the point, guidance on how engaging with Nature-based Solutions might be able to help in those areas, or how to implement NbS effectively, is not always that easy to find.
“Working collaboratively with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s consultancy arm Wild Solutions and the University of Derby, we’ve been able to identify opportunities firms can gain, as well as the barriers that might have slowed Nature-based Solutions adoption and create this useful toolkit for firms that are keen to explore NbS.
“The toolkit sets out specific areas where a business can benefit and clear guidance on an effective way to implement Nature-based Solutions, saving firms time on research and giving them a set of useful information, based on detailed research from East Midlands businesses, all in one place.”
University of Derby International Business School Associate Professor of Strategy and Sustainability Dr Polina Baranova said: “Our research on Green Growth trends in the East Midlands shows only 5% of regional businesses engage regularly in nature recovery, while a staggering 46% have never supported nature at all.
“As part of the ‘Better Business for Nature’ initiative, we wanted to understand why businesses are lacking in adoption of Nature-based Solutions and why so many are yet to support the local nature they rely upon for resources, wellbeing, cultural and industrial heritage and legacy.
“The Nature-based Solutions toolkit is designed with local businesses, for businesses. The overarching ethos is a move away from simply minimising environmental impact towards activity enriching nature and strengthening the relationship between business and the natural environment.
“It is no longer enough just to minimise the impact on nature; we need to start actively investing end enriching nature to ensure sustainability and prosperity of our communities and society at large. The role of businesses in this transition is hugely important, and the Nature-based Solutions toolkit sets out key opportunities for businesses to engage and take action.
“The toolkit draws on real-life experiences of businesses and showcases practical tips and implementation pathways for businesses to be inspired and to start developing their own Nature-based Solutions strategies.
“Critically, it is no longer enough for businesses to say that they do not harm nature. Businesses need to be actively pro-nature to lead the way in shaping sustainable and responsible futures of communities they serve and wider. We hope the toolkit empowers businesses to undertake this transformative, and very much needed role in light of the worsening climate crisis.”
Wild Solutions, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Head of Consultancy Hollie Fisher said: “Many people don’t realise biodiversity and business are intrinsically linked, with an estimated 55% of global GDP dependent on nature and the services it provides. Healthy ecosystems are fundamental to the resilience of our communities and our economy, and we all have a critical role to play in tackling the biodiversity and climate crises.
“However, knowing what to do to have a positive impact can be a daunting task. At Wild Solutions, the consultancy arm of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, we support businesses, landowners and other stakeholders to deliver their biodiversity ambitions in a meaningful and impactful way, helping them identify the right opportunities, overcome challenges and deliver nature recovery in ways that also support their business.
“This toolkit is designed to make Nature-based Solutions more accessible, providing a practical starting point to help businesses understand the opportunities available to them and identify actions they can take to begin integrating Nature-based Solutions into their operations.”
View the Better Business for Nature report and toolkit here.
