50 Investible Opportunities for a New Nature Economy 2026

Build institutional “nature-fluency” to mainstream nature-positive investments and finance Financial institutions can use existing net-zero climate strategy and governance as the entry-point for nature, expanding climate risk assessments, transition plans and sustainable finance frameworks to cover nature-related risks and opportunities in the same strategic context. In parallel, they could build practical capabilities across front-office, risk and product teams (such as by using this list of 50+ opportunities in training) to build awareness and support client discussions, as well as update core policies and frameworks so that “nature-positive” is consistently identified and acted on in day-to-day decisions. Use conversations on nature-positive transition plans and strategies to uncover nature- positive investible opportunities hidden in “ordinary” operations and supply chains Nature transition planning should become a standard entry point for client dialogue, helping financiers assess credibility, track progress and uncover concrete investment needs. By looking beyond “green” labels and probing operational and supply chain investments, institutions can surface projects that contribute to nature-positive goals hidden in everyday capital expenditure, and then find financing arrangements to support implementation and scaling-up. Use data already available within company operations, supply chains and public sources, recognising that early evidence of nature impacts may be directional Financial institutions can act now to integrate nature-related data that already exists in company operations, supply chains and public sources into their risk, underwriting and portfolio tools, while recognising that early metrics will often be directional. In parallel, they can signal priority data needs (e.g. asset locations, details on nature-related impacts and dependencies) and support simple templates and pilots that improve data quality over time to enable more effective pricing, structuring and monitoring. Foster innovation in financial products and delivery models where needed Most nature-positive opportunities can be financed today through standard instruments – corporate loans, project finance and sustainability-linked products – rather than defaulting to complex bespoke structures. For more complex opportunities, financial institutions can layer in more innovative approaches, including blended capital and de-risking mechanisms such as guarantees, insurance or advanced market commitments. Build coalitions spanning companies, private finance, public sector and philanthropies, matched to each opportunity’s risk-return profile Because many nature-positive opportunities, especially ecosystem opportunities and emerging innovations, have distinct risk-return profiles and high capital needs, they often require multi-actor partnerships to support entire value chains, rather than isolated transactions. Financial institutions can work with corporate, public and philanthropic partners to create joint platforms, risk-sharing mechanisms and real-world pilots backed by procurement and offtake commitments, helping successful solutions move from scattered projects to investible mainstream markets.1 2 34 5 50 Investible Opportunities for a New Nature Economy 6