Monthly Archives: marraskuu 2025

Nature Positive: Taking action now

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Vastaus

Many companies, cities, and organizations are actively striving to be Nature Positive, but what does that truly mean?

It’s a concept that is not easy to define. A useful starting point is, that we must conserve and restore more nature than we destroy. The reality is, that many of the things we need and want in life impact nature. To manage these impacts effectively, we need a deeper understanding of nature. 

This is where we at NaturAI come in. We believe that progress towards Nature Positive requires more direct data and information from nature itself. Our current knowledge about species and the precise effects of human activities is incomplete.

Yet, our economy is deeply connected to and reliant on nature. The one cannot flourish without the other.

I recently finished reading the excellent book, ”Becoming Nature Positive” by Marco Lambertini and co-authors, which explores this critical topic from multiple angles. (Marco was also a compelling speaker at the EU Business and Nature Summit in Helsinki this autumn.)

I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to integrate nature and ecosystems into business, finance, or societal decisions.

I especially enjoyed the sections detailing the difficulties in ”pricing” nature. This reminded me of my time working with Nordic environmental co-operation, where we introduced the TEEB model to Nordics and also analyzed how the GDP model could be changed to account for environmental and societal effects (this was about 15 years ago).

Developing these complex frameworks takes time. But as an experienced expert told me at the EBNS: ”The most important thing is to take steps and make actions in the right direction.”

We shouldn’t wait for all the perfect models and answers. We can all start taking action today and that means getting better data.

At NaturAI, we’re making this possible by using ecoacoustics and AI to provide cost-efficient, comprehensive and accurate species detection. 

What is the first step your organization is taking to become Nature Positive? Share your thoughts in comments.

#naturepositive #biodiversity #ecosystems #nature #ecoacoustics #bioacoustics #AI #startups #innovation #NaturAI #EBNS 

Why companies need climate and environmental scenario analysis

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Vastaus

The European Banking Authority (EBA) has published its Guidelines on Environmental Scenario Analysis. 

https://www.eba.europa.eu/publications-and-media/press-releases/eba-publishes-its-final-guidelines-environmental-scenario-analysis

Many in my network working in the banking sector are already familiar with these developments, but their implications for other industries are far less widely recognised. Although addressed to banks and investment firms, these guidelines may have implications beyond the financial sector. As the EBA notes, ”climate and other environmental risks, such as extreme weather events, ecosystem degradation, and growing pressures on land and water resource, pose considerable challenges for the economy”. These risks are already driving economic transitions that affect financial institutions and the companies they finance.

The guidelines outline expectations for how credit institutions and investment firms should assess their resilience to environmental risks, primarily climate-related physical and transition risks, through scenario analysis. Scenario analysis evaluates how different plausible futures might affect an institution’s strategy, operations, and risk exposure. It can be a straightforward “what if” exercise or a more advanced analysis backed by data, models, and narrative pathways. In all cases, it is designed to help organisations anticipate risks, strengthen preparedness, and identify emerging opportunities.

Environmental risks are becoming more material and can influence every financial-risk category. By setting common EU-wide expectations, the EBA aims to improve how these risks are recognised, assessed, and integrated. Although the guidelines are directed at banks, they may also influence the expectations placed on companies that rely on external financing, including how they assess environmental risks and the resilience of their business models.

Being proactive now helps companies stay ahead of evolving requirements, supervisory expectations, and market pressures. Conducting environmental scenario analysis can support access to capital, strengthen strategic planning, and offer a competitive edge as the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy accelerates. 

It is important not to underestimate the potential economic and business impacts of climate change and nature loss.

#biodiversity #climate #scenario #eba #banking #esgrisk #climaterisk #adaptation 

Reflections from the EU Business and Nature Summit 2025: Building the Business Case for Nature

Posted on by
Vastaus

A week ago, I attended the EU Business and Nature Summit (EBNS). Reading through my notes and reflecting on two days of discussions across multiple sessions, keynotes, panels, and coffee-break conversations, gave me a hopeful outlook on the work being done for nature.

Over the past few years, I’ve grown used to biodiversity events full of enthusiasm but a bit lacking practical perspectives. EBNS turned out to be a very positive surprise. Huge thanks to the organisers for blending policy and business perspectives so smoothly.

Nature is vital to all of us, and to the economy and business. Still, as many discussions highlighted, we need a stronger and clearer business case for nature. There are already many promising tools and concepts in place, including nature-based solutions, regenerative farming, nature restoration, ecological compensation, and nature credits. Biodiversity Net Gain policy in the UK also came up frequently during the sessions.

Thank you to all the colleagues and new contacts I had the chance to speak with over lunch or coffee. I listened carefully to your insights and came away with several ideas for how NaturAI can further support companies in their nature-related work. While many impacts on nature occur within value chains and are assessed through different forms of nature footprinting, there is a clear and growing need for data gathered directly from nature. To make better-informed decisions that reduce impacts and enhance biodiversity, it is wise to make use of the possibilities that technologies such as ecoacoustics and AI can offer.

EBNS showed that restoring nature is not only possible, it’s already underway. With the right data, partnerships, and ambition, we can accelerate this nature-positive shift together. 

#EBNS #EBNS25 #nature #biodiversity #restoration #naturecredits #businessandbiodiversity #NBS #naturefinance #sustainablefinance #ecoacoustics #AI #naturetech