50 Investible Opportunities for a New Nature Economy 2026

Emerging innovation opportunities are early-stage ventures with the potential to build capabilities for markets of the future. They have significant upside potential and sit earlier on the spectrum of technological readiness, capital intensity, scalability and risk/return. These opportunities can re-engineer entire processes or introduce new and innovative solutions. They cover a range of sectors and applications, for example: –Bio-economy innovations, such as alternative proteins, seaweed cultivation, bio-stimulants and bio-based materials. –Deployment of familiar technologies in new ways, such as floating photovoltaics and floating offshore wind. –Novel technologies that improve efficiencies and reduce resource loss, such as AI-based leak detection technologies that prevent large-scale disruptions, damage and water loss for utilities, municipalities, and residential and commercial building managers. These opportunities have strong upside potential but require staged investment to bridge the gap between proof-of-concept and commercialization. Early capital is needed to develop technical and operational maturity to achieve repeated performance at scale. 2.4 Emerging innovations Agriculture, food and forestry Alternative proteins Range of sustainable food sources, including plant, fermentation, cell, insect and algae-based proteins Requires less land than traditional livestock farmingRevenue increaseHigh-growth market for alternative protein manufacturers Biostimulants Natural or biologically derived products which enhance plant growth, soil health and resilience to stress Enhanced nutrient uptake reduces need for synthetic inputsRevenue increaseRevenue potential for manufacturers from farmers and agribusinesses Innovative irrigation techniques Systems designed to deliver water directly to plant roots, reducing wastage and improving efficiency Reduces water withdrawals from aquifers, rivers and lakesRevenue increaseRevenue potential for equipment providers as adoption of practices grows Seaweed cultivation and harvest Sustainable cultivation of marine algae for food, feed, biofuels and ecosystem restoration Enhances marine biodiversity and restoration of habitatsRevenue increaseGrowing demand for seaweed-derived products for producersOverview of emerging innovation opportunities for nature FIGURE 9 Emerging innovations Land use Ocean use Freshwater use Resource use Pollution Low Moderate High Opportunity description Primary nature impact Co-benefits Primary financial impact Transformative impact Climate Social Tech maturityCapital intensity Scalability Automotive Bio-based materials for automotive Use of bio-based polymers to produce interior components, foams, adhesives and structural parts Bio-based materials lower pollution in production and disposalRevenue increaseRevenue potential for materials manufacturers Chemicals, pharmaceuticals and plastics Advanced polymers and materials optimized for circular use New functionalized or advanced materials that can be recycled or processed more easily Advanced materials can replace rare and critical mineralsRevenue increaseGrowing market with products commanding price premiums for chemical manufacturers Sustainable pharmaceutical wastewater treatment Techniques combine physical, chemical and biological methods to sustainably remove complex pharmaceutical compounds Removes complex, persistent and bioactive pharmaceutical compounds from wastewaterOpEx reductionCost efficiencies for pharma companies from reduced energy and waste disposal 50 Investible Opportunities for a New Nature Economy 24