Nature Positive

Nature underpins all dimensions of our existence, however we are rapidly altering nature in all its forms and most ecosystems and biodiversity show rapid decline (IPBES 2019).

Nature Positive is an ambitious goal to reverse this loss and achieve a measurable absolute improvement in the state of nature in the world by 2030 compared to 2020, and continued recovery after that.听听听

Native Australian rainforest - eucalyptus trees and ferns

Nature Positive has become a global aspiration since it was adopted as the Global Goal for Nature in 2023 as part of the Global Biodiversity Framework at the fifteenth United Nations Conference of Parties (COP15). Signatories to the Framework, including Australia, committed to reversing nature loss and sweeping policy and market reforms have followed in Australia and globally. Simultaneous recognition by the global financial sector of the economic risk associated with nature loss, has accelerated these changes. Umwelt is well-placed to provide holistic and integrated multi-disciplinary advice and services to support our clients鈥� nature-positive goals, policies, risk-identification and opportunities.听

Experts Across a Range of Nature Positive Services

Our team work closely with our client in a workshop context to assess their relationship with nature,听identify听nature-related risks,听identify听nature-related听opportunities听and set targets and performance indicators. A Nature Strategy is then developed using the ACT-D (Assess, Commit, Transform and Disclose) framework and aligning with global sustainability, corporate听disclosure听and science-based target initiatives. Through a collaborative and consultative approach to听determining听material impacts and risks, we help clients听identify听clear science-based targets and indicators to address nature risks and impacts and work towards a Nature Positive outcome.

We draw on Australia鈥檚 largest private ecology practice and knowledge of ecological processes to听identify, develop and optimise nature-based solutions (NbS)听as a means to听enhance the ecological and social outcomes from projects. Considering the eight core criteria from the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions, along with the criteria indicators, we develop innovative solutions with multiple co-benefits that adhere to the Global Standard. This ensures that the听NbS听that are developed are holistic, systematic, integrated, evidence-based and clearly align with the accepted definition of听NbS.

Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) considers the ecosystem services provided by an area听containing听an ecosystem, whether natural or developed. Our team听use听the United Nations System of Environmental Economic Accounting and applied at the site or project level, to conduct NCA. This enables a holistic consideration of social value, natural value and economic value and changes in these values over time (actual or forecast) to enhance the standard cost-benefit analysis.

Ecological restoration can enhance ecosystem services and ecological values and can provide value to clients, beyond the use of restoration for offsetting purposes. Our ecologists and restoration practitioners start with an opportunity lens to provide restoration planning by integrating the International Standards for Ecological Restoration and associated ecological and social recovery wheels with a systematic analysis of threatening processes and enabling conditions.

We work with companies to听identify听their nature-related dependencies, impacts,听risks听and opportunities in their areas of influence through a听spatially-based听and engagement-based approach with an integrated team of ecological, water, environmental and social engagement practitioners to support you along the way. The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) has developed a set of disclosure recommendations and guidance that enable businesses and financial institutions to assess, report and act on their nature-related dependencies, impacts,听risks听and opportunities. The TNFD builds on the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)听framework听both of which use the same pillars as used by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). As climate disclosures start becoming mandatory and ASIC flags that Australia will follow, there are strong indications that requirements for nature disclosures are likely to follow and that businesses should start preparing now.