Following the Government’s consultation on the private sector’s role in nature recovery, Greenbank, the responsible investment firm within Rathbones Group, is calling for urgent action to prevent the collapse of national and international natural ecosystem.
“Nature is critically undervalued. We must urgently recognise the risks of natural system collapse,” says Sophie Lawrence, Stewardship and Engagement Lead, Greenbank.
“Biodiversity holds both intrinsic worth and immense economic value – over half of global GDP relies on nature’s services, from powering industry to securing food and public health. The ONS values England’s natural capital (excluding oil and gas) at £1.4 trillion.”
Consequently, damaging nature carries deep economic, social, and cultural consequences, Lawrence says. “When we damage nature, we damage our economy, our health, and our future.”
Action must focus on “both prevention and cure”, she says.
“Current economic practices are accelerating nature loss, threatening economies and livelihoods. The Government must require mandatory nature-related reporting from businesses, to expose risks and identify opportunities to protect and enhance natural systems. Without consistent monitoring and disclosure, we cannot manage what we don’t measure.
“To drive restoration, investing in nature must become more attractive. The UN estimates a $4.1 trillion shortfall in financing for nature-based solutions by 2050. Yet incentives for private investment remain weak; mechanisms like biodiversity credits and sovereign green finance can help. Finally, we need broader participation. While public and philanthropic funding matters, mobilising significant private investment is essential to closing the gap and safeguarding our natural economy.”
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