Nature & Business

When nature thrives, business thrives. Every business, no matter what the sector, relies on nature.

Right now, there’s a dangerous decline in nature. That means businesses are at risk.

Nature is your business partner. It provides the resources and stability your business needs to operate. By making changes to your operations and investing in nature projects, your business can benefit.

"There is no healthy business on an unhealthy planet. Business must take a lead and become part of the solution."
(Business for Nature)

Are you ready to improve your partnership with nature?

Why nature matters to business

Nature is our world: water, air, climate, land and living things. Nature supplies all of this to your business. It also underpins the infrastructure you depend on, from roads to buildings to electricity networks.

Nature adds about $57 billion to Aotearoa New Zealand’s economy each year, according to the Department of Conservation.

Nature is in trouble, so we are in trouble. Nature risk is business risk. Our actions have been harming nature and we’re losing species, forever. The resources we rely on are in shorter supply. Our world is getting hotter and extreme weather events are hitting us harder, with unprecedented costs.

The cost of extreme weather events in Aotearoa New Zealand is rising rapidly. In 2023 the cost was $351 million (ICNZ). In 2024 it jumped 10-fold to $3.88 billion.

Many businesses treat nature like an infinite supplier. They take what they want, often creating pollution, waste and emissions.

We can stop the harm. When we take action, nature responds.

What your business can do

Think of nature as your business partner. Working with nature can make your business more resilient.

1. Learn how nature helps your business.
Understand the services that nature provides. They include supplying energy and resources, from breathable air to food and materials and supporting cooling, sanitation and staff wellbeing.

Identify risks to your site, your supply chain and your people. Learn how nature helps manage those risks. For example:

Landslips can block roads and damage property. Diverse native forests on steep slopes stabilise the land, making slips less likely.
Floods can damage your property, equipment and products. Wetlands take in floodwater, reducing the impact of flooding.

2. Change how you operate. Stop harm to nature.
Review the way you work and find ways to reduce negative impacts on nature.

For example:

Reduce and stop polluting air, water and land
Choose renewable materials
Cut the emissions that heat our planet
Use and reuse resources carefully. Cut waste
Buy from suppliers taking their own action for nature
Take action on your sites. Plant native species. Trap predators. Clean up waterways.

Set goals and measure your success. Help spread the word about what you and other businesses are doing. Support policies that help nature and business to thrive.

3. Invest in local nature projects
Donate money to a community nature project in your area. You could also provide specialist skills and resources.

Our Connect for Nature programme makes that easy. We'll put you in touch with trusted projects that reflect what matters to your business and help you to work together. Learn more.

Partner with our Connect for Nature programme

Get your team volunteering on projects that restore our rivers, wetlands, forests and coastlines.

Take action

The benefits of taking action for nature

Nature is essential for your business to thrive. Taking action for nature is good for business:

Lower risk. More resilience. Healthy forests, wetlands and rivers can reduce the impacts of climate change and extreme weather.
Market access. Aotearoa New Zealand trades on a clean, green image. International markets increasingly expect business to take action for nature.
Better brand reputation. Customers and employees value businesses that take action for nature.
Happier, healthier staff. Connecting with nature boosts wellbeing. People like working for a business that does good.
Finance and insurance. Investors, banks and insurers are noticing how businesses depend on nature and the risks they face if nature declines.
Achieve your climate and social goals. Nature can be your partner in climate action. Taking action to help nature thrive can support community, jobs and wellbeing.
New opportunities. Collaborating on nature projects can bring new expertise, learning and connections to your business. You may find ways to innovate and grow.

Nature & Business Symposium
Learn how your business and nature can thrive together. From starting out to scaling up, you’ll leave with the inspiration and new connections to help you.