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Forming part of the Nature and Business Resources Kit, this module explores how nature based solutions are influencing finance opportunities and could impact on business profit.

There are increasing opportunities for businesses to benefit from nature, by taking into account their footprint and impact on nature, with plenty of projects in the West of England exploring nature-based solutions and providing investment opportunities for large and small businesses.

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Networks and programmes

Regional networks such as the West of England Nature Partnership bring together key landowners from the region to agree the priority projects for investment.

National programmes such as Projects for Nature are developing models for involving smaller organisations and SMEs, although this is at an earlier stage.

Save material costs and lower your impact on nature

There are also easy cost-saving options for businesses of all sizes. Eliminating or reducing use of natural materials (e.g. reducing packaging, choosing reconditioned IT equipment, or reducing meat in catering provisions) can lower the impact on nature and reduce costs across budget lines. Further guidance will be released in Autumn 2024 about the region’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy, but elimination of use of herbicides and pesticides on outdoor planting and lawns is critical for supporting local species and reducing costs.

Improve your chances when bidding for contracts

There are also increasing advantages to understanding your impact on nature when outlining social value indicators when bidding for contracts.

Public sector bodies across the West of England now have clear requests for businesses to outline environmental measures, alongside local benefits.

Practical steps to get started

Measure and minimise

Describe how you use tools to calculate and minimise your impact on biodiversity, demonstrating that your company is thinking beyond carbon measurement.

Volunteering

Outline how your employees are taking part in structured or self-directed volunteering or wellbeing sessions, supporting nature’s recovery.

Training

Demonstrate your commitment to green skills, by providing training for your own staff or raising awareness in educational settings of the role of nature in your business.