A survey of 64 businesses in July 2025* shows that more than half are actively participating in and investing in nature regeneration, an increase on a similar survey conducted in 2023.** For example, businesses are donating money to nature-related activities or they’re enabling staff to volunteer during work time to help with on-the-ground nature programmes, such as native planting and predator control.
Towards the mainstream?
What was once the focus of a small group of pioneering, purpose-led companies is showing signs of becoming more mainstream. Among respondents in the 2025 survey 58% reported contributing to nature-related initiatives in 2025, which is up from 51% of respondents to the previous survey.
And it seems the interest is increasingly reaching beyond just making donations. Some businesses are also offering pro bono services, tools, equipment, strategic support and staff time to support nature outcomes.
Employee volunteering is an increasing feature of this work, with 50% of businesses responding to the survey saying they now enabled staff to contribute time to nature projects.
Nature support as business strategy
SBN’s surveys also touched on the business drivers for investment in nature. In the 2023 survey, brand purpose topped the list, motivating 76% of participating companies. While still important, this figure dropped to 50% among those responding in 2025. In its place, more strategic priorities are emerging.
Climate change mitigation now leads the way, cited by 52% of respondents.
These signals in New Zealand may reflect global trends. The World Economic Forum has said that nature-focused strategies are increasingly essential to achieving carbon reduction goals. Nature-based climate solutions, e.g. planting trees, restoring wetlands, improving soil health or green roofs for buildings, are expected to deliver at least 30% of the emissions reductions needed, if the world is to meet businesses' global 2030 targets.
Aspiring to do more
In SBN’s 2025 survey 70% of respondents said they plan to increase their investment in nature-related activities over the next two years. Many organisations are actively seeking projects that deliver business value and represent credible, trustworthy investment opportunities, e.g. adhering to certifications such as Fairtrade or organic, or supporting local nature restoration projects. For example, Kōkako Organic Coffee supports the Rotoehu Ecological Trust to help protect and restore the iconic North Island Kōkako.
In addition, three-quarters (75%) of businesses in the survey said they want their actions to support not just environmental outcomes, but cultural and social benefits too - up from 62% of respondents in the 2023 survey.
2025: A turning point for business and nature?
The surveys highlight businesses are stepping up to some of the challenges of nature regeneration, or state that they are willing to do so.
What you can do: practical actions for SMEs
● Understand your business’ relationship with nature – identify how your business impacts and depends on nature. Consider biodiversity (plants, animals and ecosystems), water use and quality (both marine and freshwater), soil health, land use changes, air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.
● Create practical actions – use this understanding to develop focused steps that remove or reduce your harm on nature.
● Create a business case - including your focus area, budget, timelines, success measures and who needs to be involved.
● Measure progress – set up a plan to track data and progress on your actions.
● Provide volunteer days for staff to be educated about nature and biodiversity
● Partner and collaborate - scale your actions by supporting local community groups, customers, suppliers, mana whenua and academics
● Embed and evolve – shift business models and advocate for nature through your networks and industry leadership.
* This was an opt-in survey circulated to people and organisations engaged with the Sustainable Business Network. The results are therefore likely to skew towards organisations already engaged with sustainability and nature action. 64 organisations completed the survey, which took place in July 2025.
** For results of the 2023 survey see our report on Regenerating Nature in Aotearoa New Zealand - the transformative role of business.
