Financial institutions are increasingly exposed to material risks linked to nature loss and ecosystem degradation, with over half of global economic sectors highly dependent on nature. These risks—both physical and transitional—pose systemic threats to asset performance and long-term financial stability. Climate change, biodiversity loss and rising regulatory expectations further compound these risks, making traditional investment models increasingly unsustainable.

Nature-based solutions (NBS)—actions that protect, manage and restore ecosystems—offer a strategic approach for financial institutions to mitigate these risks while unlocking long-term value creation. NBS can strengthen portfolio resilience, drive sustainable growth and generate measurable environmental and social benefits. However, mainstream adoption remains limited due to several barriers, including a lack of standardized definitions and metrics, internal technical capacity constraints, high transaction costs for small-scale projects, and concerns over liquidity and uncertain return profiles. These challenges are exacerbated by the emerging nature of the NBS market and its misalignment with short-term investment expectations.

To address these gaps, the Guidebook provides a comprehensive framework for financial institutions to integrate NBS into their investment strategies. It presents step-by-step guidance—from identifying investable opportunities and structuring finance to conducting impact assessments and reporting—while emphasizing the need for flexibility and internal capacity-building. The Guidebook outlines how institutions can leverage NBS across three strategic domains: mitigating risks in existing portfolios, supporting sustainable financial growth, and tapping into emerging markets and innovative financing models.

By aligning investments with nature-positive outcomes, financial institutions can play a dual role: as direct investors in NBS projects and as system enablers influencing companies within their portfolios. The Guidebook also stresses the importance of improving data transparency, building technical partnerships, reforming incentives, and strengthening reporting to ensure credible, impact-oriented investments.

Ultimately, integrating NBS into financial strategies enables institutions to proactively manage nature-related risks, comply with evolving regulations, and respond to shifting consumer demands for sustainability. This transition not only enhances long-term financial performance but also supports global goals for biodiversity, climate resilience and inclusive economic development. The Guidebook empowers institutional investors, asset owners, and managers to take a leading role in mobilizing private capital toward nature, helping drive the shift to a sustainable, nature-positive economy.

Key Findings:

  1. NBS can serve as a strategic lever for financial institutions to drive sustainable growth in the real economy and protect future financial returns. Yet, despite their potential, NBS remain underused in mainstream finance.
  2. Priority sectors—including agriculture, food and beverage, tourism, utilities, and real estate—face high exposure to nature-related risks and represent significant untapped potential for investable NBS opportunities.
  3. To unlock this potential, financial institutions need clearer, investment-relevant definitions of NBS to effectively identify, assess, and act on viable opportunities.
  4. Institutions can leverage NBS-related investment opportunities across three domains: risk mitigation and resilience in existing portfolios; sustainable growth of financial returns; and emerging market potential and finance innovation.
  5. While a broad array of methodologies, data platforms, and disclosure frameworks already exists, better integration into core financial decision-making is needed.
  6. Robust, science-based impact measurement—including financial, environmental, and social metrics—is essential to align NBS investments with sustainability objectives and fiduciary obligations.
  7. Reforming incentive structures is also essential to better align financial and impact objectives, and to strengthen support for outcome-based investment strategies.
  8. Innovative financial instruments—such as sustainability-linked loans, catalytic capital, green bonds, and special purpose vehicles—are opening new avenues for scaling NBS investments.
  9. Real-world examples of successful NBS investments provide proof of concept and practical models that can be replicated and scaled across sectors and geographies.