50 Investible Opportunities for a New Nature Economy 2026

Chemicals, pharmaceuticals and plastics Biomanufacturing processes for chemicals Leverages biological processes and organisms to produce a wide range of chemicals Using microorganisms significantly reduces pollution compared to chemical manufacturingRevenue increaseFeedstock producers face high demand for products from biomanufacturers Technology Re-use of heat from data centres Captures and repurposes significant amounts of waste heat and transfers thermal energy to nearby buildings, districts etc. Significant reduction in resource use by displacing fossil fuel in heating systemsRevenue increaseSignificant market potential for technology providers from strong growth in data centres Cross-sectoral Battery recycling Process of recovering valuable materials from end-of-life batteries such as lithium-ion Recycling recovers valuable minerals, such as lithium, cobalt and nickelRevenue increaseSignificant market potential for recycling innovators from recyclers and manufacturers Electronic waste recycling Process of properly managing and processing discarded electrical materials and equipment to recover valuable materials Recycling prevents leaching from hazardous substances into landfills and ecosystems Revenue increaseResale potential for recovered materials for recycling companiesOverview of ecosystem opportunities for nature FIGURE 10 Ecosystem opportunities 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 CASE STUDY 4 Ecosystem opportunity – battery recycling Battery recycling refers to the process of recovering valuable materials from end-of-life batteries, such as lithium. Nature impact Neutral impact Positive impact Land Ocean Freshwater use Resource use Pollution Co-benefits Climate Social Battery recycling significantly contributes to circularity through a positive effect on resource use and pollution avoidance. Recycling batteries recovers valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, reducing the need for virgin resource extraction. Mining requires 250 tonnes of lithium ore or 750 tonnes of brine to extract one tonne of lithium material. Recycling, however, can recover up to 80% of lithium from end-of-life batteries.19 Effective recycling reduces the risk of hazardous materials from batteries contaminating soil and water. It can also recover materials that would otherwise contribute to pollution if disposed of improperly.20 50 Investible Opportunities for a New Nature Economy 30