Building investment ready programmes
WENP is a strong and active partnership with an established track record of delivery and good governance in our nature recovery work to date.
We are already planning ahead for smooth and efficient delivery, ensuring sufficient capacity of skilled workers and physical resources to implement projects on the ground, with a five-year pipeline of investment-ready projects across our programmes.
Within each programme, we will identify and develop specific projects for private investment via carbon, nature and other emerging ecosystem service markets, with clear governance and quantifiable benefits to investors. Our projects will meet the standards necessary to attract private investment setout in the BSI ‘Flex 701’ Nature Markets Standard and align with international frameworks such as the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).
We will seek partnerships with businesses aligned with ethical frameworks such as the Nature Markets Principles, allowing them to co-develop mutually beneficial projects that contribute to both corporate sustainability goals and nature recovery targets.
Public and philanthropic funding will continue to play a critical role in getting projects to investment readiness and supporting outcomes that do not yet have established markets. We welcome the Government’s commitment to accelerating nature recovery alongside its drive for economic growth.
We will work closely with academic institutions and government bodies to develop robust data collection and monitoring systems, particularly through our State of Nature Monitoring programme. This will ensure that the region’s progress can be properly quantified for investors looking for measurable impacts.
A pioneering example - Bristol Avon Catchment Market
The Bristol Avon Catchment Market is an online marketplace for buying and selling local and verified environmental services, including biodiversity, carbon reduction and natural flood management. The project is being delivered through a collaboration between EnTrade, Avon Wildlife Trust and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. It is working with landholders and buyers of credits (such as developers) across the catchment to deliver a pipeline of projects and generate fair prices for environmental services. This takes place via a user-friendly trading platform that operates in ‘Market Rounds’ that aggregate buyers and seller offerings within set timeframes.
Why is investment in nature recovery growing?
Our economy and all aspects of our lives and society are dependent on the health of the natural environment.
“Nature Markets”, including biodiversity credits, carbon sequestration, and nutrient trading, are becoming an ever-larger component of private sector strategies to mitigate their environmental risks and impacts. Investors are increasingly looking for projects that provide verifiable environmental outcomes.
The UK Government’s commitment to raising over £1 billion in private investment for nature recovery by 2030 reflects a national trend towards market-based solutions to environmental challenges.
There are a number of factors driving growth in nature-based investment:
Regulation: Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly driving demand for nature-based solutions by introducing and strengthening regulations. In the UK, this includes mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements for developers. Companies also face pressure to comply with global frameworks like the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), which is working to develop a risk management and disclosure framework for organisations to report and act on nature-related risks.
ESG and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Investor pressure and the rise of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing are significant demand drivers. Companies are being scrutinised by investors for their environmental impacts, which is leading to an increase in corporate nature-based investments. By integrating nature-positive strategies, businesses not only meet the expectations of ESG-focused funds but also improve their long-term viability in a market where sustainability is becoming a key performance indicator and reputation builder.
Commercial Advantage: Businesses are recognising the direct commercial benefits of investing in nature. Sustainable practices can deliver a competitive edge, boost brand loyalty and improve customer engagement. Research shows that sustainability-focused companies experience faster revenue growth and higher market value. According to recent studies, younger consumers in particular are willing to pay a premium for products that are environmentally responsible, making nature-positive strategies a sound business choice.
Risk Mitigation and Reduction: Investing in nature-based solutions can help businesses mitigate operational risks and develop greater resilience against environmental shocks, particularly in the context of climate change. Intact and thriving natural ecosystems provide critical services such as flood mitigation and carbon sequestration. Through frameworks like TNFD, businesses are encouraged to identify, assess, and disclose nature-related risks in their supply chains and operations. In addressing these risks, companies not only protect their assets and reduce liabilities but also better adapt to future changes in our climate and ecology.