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Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

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17 February 2015 – The Natural Capital Leaders Platform member businesses have collaborated in producing a report that underlines natural capital challenges and the potential business opportunities from appropriate management responses and investments.

Natural Capital Infographic 590px

The world’s leading food, beverage and forestry companies are being invited to join business leaders already working with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), to identify new commercial opportunities from protecting the natural environment. 

The call to action is included in a 'must-read' report launched by CISL on 17 February 2015, targeting international companies that rely heavily on 'natural capital' – natural resources such as water, soil and timber, that underpin global supply chains and provide commercial value.

Through collaboration with household names including Nestlé, Asda and Mars, the CISL report also sheds light on the different responses businesses are already making to enhance natural capital, and where they are generating business benefits.

Last month, the UK Government’s independent advisory body, the Natural Capital Committee, warned that the decline of the country’s natural environment is harming the economy. The CISL report says this has implications for businesses, not only in the UK but globally, as environmental degradation increases worldwide.

Through innovative thinking, CISL hopes to build the business case for companies to manage the natural capital throughout their operations and supply chains more sustainably.


"Retail, at its heart, is meeting our customers’ needs for now and for the future. We rely on products which in turn rely on the resources underpinning our supply chains like water, soil and timber. These are under increasing pressure from weather volatility, population growth and changing consumption patterns. Businesses must show leadership on this crucial issue. As a first step, Asda is working with CISL to make more companies aware of the business case for better management of natural capital."

Andy Clarke, CEO of Asda

 

"Many of the companies we work with at CISL are already implementing measures to reduce their impact on natural capital across their supply chains, but we all recognise the need to go further and to get many more businesses involved. 

"By developing a body of evidence in partnership with a group of companies we aim to translate the management of natural capital into tangible commercial benefits – highlighting in real terms the financial savings, security of supply, and brand enhancement on offer."

Polly Courtice, Director of the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

Get involved

Is your company ready to take up the challenge? Find out how you can do business with nature

Related links

Read more information and download the full 'Doing Business with Nature' report

View and download the 'Business opportunities from natural capital challenges' infographic.

Find out more about how to get involved with our work through our Action Research Collaboratories.