The movement towards valuing and accounting for nature presents businesses with challenges and opportunities.
Companies that fail to assess and manage their impacts on nature face undefined risks. The on-going loss of ecosystem services often results in substantial costs to businesses. For example, In 2007, the collapse of honey bee colonies was estimated to have cost US producers US$15 billion.
New policies and regulations are being developed to support the transition to a green economy. These include subsidy reform, payments for ecosystem services and new systems of fines and incentives.
On the flip side, consumers want nature-friendly products. New revenue streams are opening up for unrealized assets such as wetlands, forests and habitat for endangered species. Investors increasingly prefer businesses that avoid biodiversity risks and good environmental management is often seen as a proxy for good overall business management.
See the TEEB Report for Business
for more information.
