50 Investible Opportunities for a New Nature Economy 2026

ACTION 3ACTION 2 Use conversations on nature transition plans and strategies to uncover nature-positive investible opportunities hidden in “ordinary” operations and supply chains Use data which is already available within company operations, supply chains and public sources, recognising that early evidence of nature impacts may be directionalLeading companies are beginning to develop nature transition plans, and practical guidance already exists to help financial institutions assess the credibility of these plans and track progress over time – for example, the World Economic Forum’s April 2025 report, Nature Positive: Corporate Assessment Guide for Financial Institutions. These plans can be used as a reference point for structuring questions, comparing approaches across peers and sectors, and anchoring conversations in clients’ own transition journeys. Many nature-positive opportunities remain under- recognised because they sit within “ordinary” operational or supply chain investments and are not explicitly framed as nature-focused. Through deeper dialogue, financial institutions and companies can identify projects that influence key nature impact drivers – such as reducing water use, pollution or land-use change. These opportunities include, for example, operational changes that reduce impacts at industrial sites, enhance water and resource efficiency in factories, and promote more sustainable sourcing in agriculture and other land- intensive sectors. Once identified, these projects can be shaped into financing solutions that support implementation and scale-up. To make this more systematic, nature should become a standard part of strategy, project pipeline and risk conversations. The opportunity list presented in this report can be used internally to help translate high-level ambitions into concrete financing and investment opportunities across sectors and client segments. Financial institutions should take a pragmatic approach to selecting nature metrics and implementing MRV protocols. Although metrics are complex and still evolving, the field is maturing quickly and practical guidance on metric selection and impact measurement already exists – for example, Financing Nature: A Practitioner’s Guide to Results Metrics Selection, a 2025 report published by a range of regional development banks. Early evidence of nature impacts may be directional or incomplete, but this should not be treated as a barrier to progress. In many organizations, relevant nature-related data already exists – found in company operations, supply chains and public sources – but is siloed from financial analysis. Where this information is available, financial institutions should ensure it is integrated with existing financial datasets, analytical tools and risk assessment frameworks, so that nature considerations are reflected in underwriting, portfolio management and strategic decision-making. Companies often lack clarity on which information is most useful for financiers. Financial institutions can help companies focus on the information that matters most by signalling priority data needs – such as the location of key assets, dependence on stressed ecosystems and main sources of nature pressure – as well as by sharing simple templates and supporting pilots that improve data quality, enabling more informed pricing, structuring and monitoring of nature-related deals over time. 50 Investible Opportunities for a New Nature Economy 35