Metrics
- 100 companies researched
- 10 companies interviewed
Background
Having secured funding through the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Nature North, an organisational collaboration seeking to drive nature recovery, is developing a strategic investment plan for nature in the North of England.
The investment plan includes five nature-based investment propositions: Thriving Northern Coasts and Estuaries; Green Northern Connections; Liveable Northern Towns and Cities; Healthy Northern Rivers and Resilient Farming North.
Using its substantial expertise in research and stakeholder engagement, combined with its understanding of the evolving nature markets, Nature Positive undertook a research project to identify potential buyers of ecosystem services and to assess their purchasing or investment criteria.
Challenges
Nature North faced challenges in navigating emerging nature markets to secure local private investment for nature recovery projects. It was uncertain about how to attract and engage business effectively, particularly in understanding what these businesses were looking for regarding nature-related risks, opportunities and investment criteria.
Solution
We completed our research through a combination of desk-based research (100 companies) and a representative sample of virtual interviews (10%). The research identified a list of 100 corporates outlining their current progress and drivers on nature-based investment and conducted an initial screen of opportunities for further investment. We also delivered a thorough report summarising the buyer landscape, demand, opportunities and challenges, along with six key recommendations for further engagement and development of Nature North’s investable propositions.
Impact
By translating complex sustainability challenges into actionable business strategies, we identified potential funding opportunities and levers regarding nature-based investment, providing Nature North with the clarity and direction needed to develop compelling and investable propositions to support the development of a strategic investment plan for nature in the North of England.