Nature Positive for Climate Action

What is Nature Positive?

Nature Positive is a global societal goal defined as ‘Halt and Reverse Nature Loss by 2030 on a 2020 baseline, and achieve full recovery by 2050’. To put this more simply, it means ensuring more nature in the world in 2030 than in 2020 and continued recovery after that.

Nature-based solutions, which include everything from regenerative agriculture to green roofs, have the potential to create over 390 million jobs by 2030. When we invest in nature, we build resilience, adapt more effectively to shifting climates, and bring temperatures down.

Thanks to milestones such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Science Based Targets Network, and the debut of the Nature Action 100 initiative, businesses and investors are better equipped than ever to place nature at the core of their operations.

For those already embarked on their nature-positive journey, they are leading the way. But it’s not too late for others to join the movement. The degradation of our natural assets threatens over half of the global GDP.

By adopting a nature-positive strategy, we not only ensure sustainable development and protect jobs, but also mount a stronger defense against climate change.

A Call to Action

Nature Positive for Climate Action is a Call to Action that contributes to the delivery of the Sharm el Sheikh Adaptation Agenda and the 2030 Breakthroughs. It calls on non-Party stakeholders (NPS) to:

Put nature at the heart of climate transition plans

We urge NPS – which include businesses, cities, financial institutions, and regions – to:

Integrate nature in their climate transition plans in line with the nature leadership practices of Race to Zero, contributing to the Sharm el Sheikh Adaptation Agenda and the 2030 breakthroughs.

Sharm el Sheikh Adaptation Agenda 2030 breakthroughs

Increase investments in nature-based solutions

We urge NPS – which include businesses, cities, financial institutions, and regions – to:

Increase investment in Nature-based Solutions (NbS), helping to close the annual $484 billion funding gap required for these solutions by 2030.

Set science-based targets for climate and nature

We urge:

Businesses to: set science-based targets for climate (SBTi FLAG) and nature (SBTN land use and water targets), and disclose progress against these targets annually and transparently as part of efforts to Assess, Commit, Transform and Disclose.

SBTi SBTi Flag SBTN

Cities to: look to set SBTN targets for land-use and freshwater, once guidance is available.

SBTN

Assess, manage and disclose climate and nature related risks, impacts and dependencies

We urge businesses and financial institutions to:

Adopt recommendations of Task Force on Nature-related Finance Disclosures (TNFD) for transparent risk and impact assessment

TNFD

Address deforestation risk, without which, net zero targets will be out of reach

We urge financial institutions to:

Address commodity-driven deforestation, land conversion, and associated human rights abuses in line with the Accountability Framework Initiative endorsed-Finance Sector Roadmap and join the Financial Sector Deforestation Action initiative (FSDA)

FSDA Accountability Framework Initiative endorsed-Finance Sector Roadmap

Impact

Non-state actors are taking action on nature

Over 150 businesses and financial institutions are advancing the Nature Positive for Climate Action call to action through adoption of science-based targets for nature, science-based targets with FLAG Guidance, and the Task Force on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework; some of these organizations are also including nature in their transition plans, addressing deforestation risk and increasing investments in credible nature-based solutions.

Engaging businesses and financial institutions globally

Four UNFCCC Regional Climate Weeks were held this year to build momentum ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai and the conclusion of the first global stocktake, designed to chart the way for fulfilling the Paris Agreement’s key goals.

Over 800 businesses and financial institutions were engaged in capacity building sessions on Nature Positive for Climate Action across Africa, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), North America, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia Pacific. Organizations across different regions and sectors, including are at different stages of their nature positive journey – and we need everyone to get on board!

Companies like Red Sea Global, GSK, Temasek, PepsiCo, Equity Bank, Natura are all making strides on this topic. Regional networks are also enabling adoption of nature-related standards and frameworks. For example, Africa Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA) works with major financial institutions across the continent to build preparedness on nature risks (TNFD), nature positive investment mechanisms and reporting requirements across their portfolios. Company CEOs are asked to sign a Nature’s Pledge. ANCA has grown its membership from 9 to 41 in the past 18 months.

In Latin America, UN Global Compact and Business Nature, along with 10 regional and local organizations, are spearheading initiatives to integrate SBTN and TNFD. These efforts aim to empower stakeholders and service providers, enabling regional businesses. A clear example is the Development Bank of Brazil (BNDES), which started adopting robust policies against environmentally harmful financing activities with those frameworks.

Nature and Climate Action

Resource Navigator for Companies and Financial Institutions

The Nature and Climate Resource Navigator is a tool designed to guide businesses in managing and reporting on nature and climate issues. It aims to orient businesses within the landscape of various methodologies, frameworks, and disclosure instruments, enabling them to select tools relevant to their operations and stakeholders. This tool assists companies in fulfilling their nature-positive and net zero commitments, thereby contributing to a collective, sustainable future.

View the Navigator

Nature Positive for Climate Action at COP28

2 December, 11:30-12:30 PM GST | R2 – Green Zone:

Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum: Putting People & Nature at the Heart of Climate Solutions

9 December, 10.00 – 11.30AM GST | Connect Conference Auditorium, Green Zone:

Nature Positive for Climate Action: Building Momentum for Delivery and Celebrating Global Voices of Leadership

10 December, 9.00 – 10.00AM GST | Nature Positive Pavillion:

Launch of Nature and Climate Action Resource Navigator

Support nature today

1. Include nature in climate transition plans.

2. Join the companies leading the way to a net zero economy. Start taking ambitious climate action today with a science-based emissions reduction target using SBTi Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) guidance.

3. Join the Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) Corporate Engagement Program.

4. Put your city in the strongest position to thrive in the zero carbon, nature-positive economy:

SBTN cities

5. Register your intent to join the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures.

6. Sign the financial commitment letter on eliminating commodity-driven deforestation: Finance Sector Deforestation Action and follow the Finance Sector Roadmap.

Nature Champions

Championing nature-positive finance: 5 Financial Institutions prioritizing biodiversity

This International Day for Biological Diversity, Race to Zero members — Aviva Investors, Schroders and Robeco – demonstrate their commitment to paving the way for a net zero nature-positive future.

Aviva’s biodiversity efforts continue with £38m pledge to restore lost UK rainforests

How Race to Zero member, Aviva, uses campaign criteria, the 5Ps, to support the transition to a low carbon economy and address deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Schroders: Steering finance towards a net zero, nature-positive future

Discover how Race to Zero member, Schroders is aligning investments with nature, committing to net zero emissions, supporting biodiversity, and promoting sustainable practices in their investment decisions and operations.

Storebrand: Creating deforestation-free investment portfolios

Storebrand Asset Management provide a comprehensive overview of their approach to tackling deforestation, from designing a policy to delivering real-world impact.