Three leading experts from science and business discuss nature’s value for the global economy, highlighting the critical need to invest in nature conservation – because biodiversity loss is as significant a threat as climate change.
Moderated by Solveigh Hieronimus (McKinsey & Company), this DLD Nature panel brings together Johan Rockström (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research), Martin Stuchtey (Landbanking Group) and Stefan Wintels (KfW Group).
“Everything that we depend on in the economy originates from nature”, Johan Rockström emphasizes. “There’s simply no future for humanity without the richness and the beauty” of functioning ecosystems.
In early 2024, Rockström won the Tyler Prize – often called the environmental Nobel Prize – for developing the concept of Planetary Boundaries, which indicate the he limits of Earth’s life-support systems.
“Six of the nine planetary boundaries that regulate the stability of the whole Earth system are in the red”, Rockström says, “and the reddest of them all is biodiversity loss.”
He also stresses that protecting nature is crucial to combatting climate change, as healthy ecosystems provide 56% of the Earth’s buffering capacity by absorbing carbon emissions.
Despite all urgency, a significant funding gap remains. Only about $120 billion is invested annually, compared to the estimated $1 trillion needed.
That’s why Martin Stuchtey proposes developing a “nature-based economy” which would recognize nature as an asset in financial systems and balance sheets.
Stefan Wintels and Martin Stuchtey both advocate for policy changes, including introducing carbon taxes, removing harmful subsidies, and providing tax incentives for investments in natural capital.
Watch the video for details about bringing the value of nature into business and economy.
