Developed under NetworkNature’s NbS Task Force 3 on Finance and Business Models for NbS in a Nature-Positive Economy, and coordinated by the Invest4Nature project, this publication consolidates insights from 45 EU-funded research and innovation projects. It provides a comprehensive perspective on how to advance towards a competitive and resilient Nature-Positive Economy (NPE).

A Nature-Positive Economy is one in which economic activities result in a net gain for nature, supporting both ecosystem restoration and long-term societal prosperity. It reflects a systemic alignment between environmental sustainability, economic performance, and social well-being, where biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration are embedded within innovation, competitiveness, and resilience strategies.

The report underscores that biodiversity loss represents not only an environmental challenge but also a systemic economic and financial risk. More than two-thirds of the EU’s Gross Value Added depends on nature, while approximately 75% of euro area bank lending is exposed to companies that rely on ecosystem services. At the same time, the transition to a nature-positive economy offers significant economic opportunities, with the potential to generate up to USD 10 trillion in annual business value and nearly 400 million jobs by 2030.