NextGreen, together with VBDO and CREM, organized expeditions focused on natural capital, in which financiers and companies explored opportunities for biodiversity and sustainable business.

Client VBDO
Duration 2018

NextGreen, together with VBDO and CREM, organized expeditions focused on natural capital, in which financiers and companies explored opportunities for biodiversity and sustainable business.

Context

Natural capital in the agri-food sector: what is happening and what influence do companies and financial institutions have? How are frontrunners in the construction industry dealing with declining biodiversity and what role do banks and investors play in this? We explored these themes during the expeditions organized by VBDO, CREM, and NextGreen. At Bayer's ForwardFarm at Roubos Akkerbouw, we saw and heard about biologicals and working with nature. Bayer, ACTIAM, Rabobank, and Eosta shared their ambitions and experiences regarding the dialogue between financiers, investors, and companies. At and in the CIRCL building in Amsterdam, we spoke with ABN AMRO, Van Nieuwpoort Groep, Dekker Grondstoffen, and Heijmans about nature-based solutions and the multiple business case.

Objective

• Exploring and deepening natural capital risks and opportunities
• Strengthen business and finance network
• Accelerating the transition to finance and natural capital

Process approach

The expedition participants shared their challenges and insights, and an expert panel contributed ideas on routes toward opportunities and solutions. Both expeditions tied in with other finance and business initiatives in which NextGreen, VBDO, and CREM are working on natural capital.

We organize the Natural Capital expeditions in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality. The white paper 'Value creation with Natural Capital, An expedition by finance and business' compiles the results and insights.

Together with VBDO and CREM.

Participants:

• Finance: Members of the Association of Investors for Sustainable Development (VBDO), members of the EU Community of Practice Finance & Biodiversity, and members of the former Community of Practice Financial Institutions and Natural Capital
• Business: Partners of MVO Nederland and the frontrunner network
• Experts: IUCN NL, AT Osborne, Dutch Butterfly Conservation

Services and activities

Co-organizing and co-facilitating expeditions | Drafting white papers