The case for nature positive action
Nature underpins the functioning of society and the economy, but our ecosystems and the life they support are in crisis. The crisis is urgent and the rate of species decline is getting worse. Human action is the cause of this crisis. It is also the only solution. We need to scale up and accelerate transformative action. We have to tackle climate and nature together – and do this with the engagement and for the benefit of people and communities.
Nature positive action from business, government and financial institutions is needed to create a new operating model based on regeneration, resilience and circularity not extraction, destruction and pollution. Read our position on nature.
CISL Insights
We offer practical and strategic guidance, grounded in practitioner insights from exceptional people from business, policy and academia, to help leaders and organisations prepare for a nature positive future.
We created the first industry specific primer to navigate the
new target-setting guidance from the Science Based Targets Network.
Our Nature-related Finance Risks handbook and use cases explain key concepts linked to nature loss and financial risk and provide guidance for risk identification.
Our diagnostic tool & sector briefings help companies understand & implement nature-based solutions projects and accelerate their adoption.
CLG Europe signed a public letter to the European Parliament urging them to support the EU Nature Restoration Law.
Five ways we work with you on nature
Our Rewiring the Economy framework offers tasks to guide
the changes necessary in the economy to deliver the SDGs & support natures.
Our nature-based solutions sector case studies outline the challenges and actions needed to implement nature-based solutions projects.
Collaborations we convened enabled stakeholders to rethink existing business models to eliminate plastic packaging waste.
Our regenerative nature project models offer blueprint that support improved biodiversity and water quality.
We work with companies to help them take practical measures
to enhance the natural environment.
We are partners in the following initiatives/coalitions
- Business For Nature is a global coalition that brings together business and conservation organisations and forward thinking companies.
- We Mean Business Coalition is a global nonprofit coalition working with the world’s most influential businesses to take action on climate change.
- Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures develops and deliver a risk management and disclosure framework for organisations to report and act on evolving nature-related risks.
- African Natural Capital Alliance is a collaborative forum for mobilising the financial community’s response to the risk of nature loss in Africa.
- Cambridge Conservation Initiative is a unique collaboration between the University of Cambridge and nine leading internationally focused biodiversity conservation organisations based in and around Cambridge, UK.
Resources and reports
Climate and Nature: A Route to Mutual Acceleration
27 September 2023
28 September 2023 - A new briefing from CISL sets out the rationale for joint action between climate and nature. It offers six critical actions for business, government and financial institutions to transform our societies and economies towards a nature positive future.
8 September 2023
11th Sept 2023 – Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) in partnership with The Fashion Pact and Conservation International , release a resource roadmap to further the development and implementation of biodiversity strategies across the fashion, textile and apparel sector, framing key outputs from the Transforming the Fashion Sector with Nature project.
Primer on the financial materiality of Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
3 August 2023
8 August 2023 – Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership’s (CISL)’s ClimateWise showcases a new primer on the financial materiality of Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
19 June 2023
28 June 2023 - The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL),The Fashion Pact and Conservation International have created the first industry specific primer to navigate the new target-setting guidance from the Science Based Targets Network.
4 April 2023
12 April 2023 – New roadmap from CISL’s ClimateWise charts a path for the insurance sector towards nature-positive underwriting and explores the industry’s role in supporting the transition of its clients towards a sustainable economy.
Integrating climate and nature: The rationale for financial institutions
26 September 2022
27 September 2022 – Building on the nature-related financial risks collaboration between the Banking Environment Initiative (BEI) and Investment Leaders Group (ILG), CISL has published a new report detailing the importance of an integrated approach to addressing environmental challenges, encompassing climate and other nature-related issues.
Why nature matters: Nature-related risks and opportunities for insurance underwriting
30 August 2022
5 September 2022 – The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership’s (CISL) ClimateWise has published a new report on Nature Insurance.
Decision Making in a Nature-Positive World: Nature-based Solutions for sectors
4 July 2022
7 July 2022 – CISL has published four sector-specific business briefings that outline the challenges and actions needed to implement nature-based solutions projects. The sectors include: Water, Finance, Food and Beverage, and Built Environment and Linear Infrastructure.
Modelling nature-positive agriculture and land management: Case studies
13 June 2022
13 June 2022 – Two new regenerative nature project models from CISL, the East of England Landscape Enterprise Network , and Poole Harbour Nutrient Management Scheme offer blueprints for land management that supports improved biodiversity and water quality through more sustainable agriculture.
Mother Nature: sharpening our mind to the challenge ahead
28 March 2022
28 March 2022 - Dr Gemma Cranston, CISL’s Director for Business and Nature, reflects on the crucial role of nature, signals of positive change and the need for businesses, financiers and policy makers to align to deliver a nature-positive future.
