Session Description
Nature-positive outcomes are recognized as essential to sustainable development, yet they are often treated as a “nice-to-have” or compliance obligation rather than a source of business value. As governments, investors, regulators and communities place emphasis on nature-based solutions, project owners face growing pressure to show how nature-positive approaches can support ecological and commercial objectives. This workshop explores whether nature- or biodiversity-led design can strengthen the business case for development. Drawing on examples from tourism, infrastructure, urban development and mining, it will examine how early integration of natural systems can reduce project risk, improve resilience, build stakeholder trust, support permitting and strengthen long-term operational performance. Participants will explore value drivers, including lower mitigation and restoration costs, enhanced ecosystem services, investor and visitor confidence, and stronger alignment with ESG expectations. The workshop will also consider how impact assessment practitioners can translate environmental outcomes into business-relevant metrics that inform investment and development decisions. Through short presentations, group discussions and facilitated dialogue, participants will examine the evidence needed to demonstrate financial and non-financial returns from nature-positive interventions and how impact assessment can connect environmental objectives with commercial realities. The session will conclude by developing a practical decision-support matrix linking nature-positive design interventions with business value drivers, supporting evidence and measurable indicators.
Session Summary
Nature-positive design is often seen as an environmental aspiration rather than a business strategy. This workshop asks whether nature-positive approaches can create measurable business value through risk reduction, resilience, stakeholder trust, streamlined permitting, and stronger financial and operational performance.
Session Chair
Ana Loza
KEO International Consultants
Portugal
Session Co-chair
Damian Smith
Red Sea Global
Saudi Arabia