Natural capital business hub
naturalcapitalhub.org
The natural capital business hub aims to help businesses make the case for accounting for natural capital to achieve “bottom-line impacts”.
The website’s homepage presents key questions, asking, for example, how natural capital is material to business and what benefits can be derived from it. Links provide answers.
The website’s architecture comprises four key topics. The “make the case” area paints the bigger picture, but highlights four pertinent benefits – reducing risk, cutting costs, enhancing brand and reputation, and generating revenue – offering perspectives from executives of major companies (which link to case studies).
The “benchmark” area offers case studies, a “leader’s index” and information on tracking progress, while the “implement” section provides links to tools and frameworks, guidance on setting priorities and “10 business solutions”. The fourth area, “contact”, provides useful links for collaborative opportunities and related networks.
Although there is nothing revelatory for sustainability professionals (the case studies are useful), the framing of the material in business-relevant terms and the involvement of a network of engaged organisations will be an inducement to enterprises exploring this agenda. They will still need additional assistance, but the resources presented here are informative, accessible and useful.
Dr Mark Everard is associate professor of ecosystem services at UWE