For years, biodiversity has sat comfortably in the “sustainability” column of corporate reporting. Now it’s edging into something more consequential: strategy.
A new guide from nature consultancy Biodiversify argues that companies must start treating nature as a core business concern – not a peripheral environmental commitment.
The 22-page publication, Embedding Nature into Enterprise Strategy, draws on insights from sustainability leaders at some of the world’s largest corporations, including Primark, The Co-op Group and The Crown Estate. Together, the companies represented account for more than £1.4 trillion in annual revenue.
The conversations took place during a closed-door session at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, where representatives from 56 businesses discussed a question that has become increasingly urgent: how do you persuade executives that nature belongs in the business plan?
Biodiversify – whose clients include Amazon, Kering and Suntory – says many organisations understand that environmental risks are rising. Translating that awareness into a credible business case, however, remains far harder.
Nature-related threats, from supply chain disruption to regulatory pressure, are accelerating as climate change strains ecosystems. Yet biodiversity discussions often struggle to land in the language of finance, operations and risk management.
The guide suggests the solution is partly linguistic.
Rather than framing initiatives around the phrase “nature positive”, sustainability teams are encouraged to speak in the dialect of the departments they are trying to influence. Procurement teams respond to discussions about supply chain continuity. Risk teams pay closer attention to asset protection. Finance departments want to understand exposure and timing.
Another pragmatic suggestion: start with water.
Water security is already widely understood as financially material inside many companies. Positioning biodiversity through the lens of water risk can provide a more familiar entry point for decision-makers.
The report also draws on perspectives from the Nature & Biodiversity Peer Group, a global network of more than 500 professionals working on nature-related issues within business.
Sam Sinclair, Co-Founder and Director at Biodiversify, said the shift is ultimately unavoidable.
“Nature is not a ‘nice-to-have’ for business; it completely underpins the stability of our supply chains.
“As climate change accelerates and ecosystems become more vulnerable, companies that fail to understand their dependence on nature risk serious disruption and price volatility.
“A strong business case makes clear where the risk sits, why timing matters, and what level of commitment is required. The good news is that many leading businesses are recognising this early and taking concrete actions to strengthen their resilience.”
