Nature Positive: a comprehensive guide

The concept of 'Nature Positive' is derived from the paper 'A nature-positive world: the global goal for nature', written by a group of experts from leading scientific and non-governmental organisations including IUCN. This vision goes beyond simple environmental conservation and aims to improve the state of the world's biodiversity. This approach is summarised in the Global Goal for Nature, which sets three clear and measurable time targets for reversing environmental degradation: to achieve a net zero loss of nature by 2020, a net positive balance for nature by 2030, and the full recovery of natural ecosystems by 2050. Similar to the 'net zero' concept for carbon emissions, which is balanced by the amounts removed from the atmosphere, the Global Goal for Nature provides a similar mechanism to ensure that any negative impact on nature is adequately offset or, ideally, overcome by positive action.

By 2023, we will have exceeded six of the nine planetary limits that are essential for the stability and resilience of our planet. The 9 Planetary Limits framework identifies nine fundamental global processes and their respective limits that, if exceeded, could lead to dramatic changes in the conditions of life on Earth for all living species, including us humans. These limits include variables such as the climate change, the loss of biodiversity, the acidification of the oceans, changes in land use and the overexploitation of water resources. The current economic model has therefore exhausted the regenerative capacity of our natural capital and is pushing us beyond its limits. In this context, international institutions, governments and businesses are increasingly taking decisive steps to move towards a nature-positive economy, with the aim of not only halting but also reversing the loss of biodiversity.

Although the terms 'Net Zero' and 'Nature Positive' may seem related, they represent two distinct goals in the field of environmental sustainability. "Net Zero" aims to balance greenhouse gas emissions, with the aim of neutralising the amount of carbon emitted with the amount absorbed by natural technologies and solutions such as reforestation. It focuses specifically on combating global warming and limiting the rise in temperatures. Nature Positive, on the other hand, has a broader vision that includes the protection and enhancement of biodiversity and ecosystems. This approach not only minimises the negative impact of human activities, but actively promotes the improvement of environmental conditions with the aim of restoring and enriching nature.

During the CBD-COP15, almost all governments, with the exception of the United States, joined the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. An important agreement that sets ambitious targets for 2030, including increased funding for nature conservation in developing countries and the protection of 30 per cent of land and marine areas. It also calls for the phasing out of environmentally harmful subsidies and requires large companies and financial institutions to monitor and manage their risks, dependencies and impacts on nature, biodiversity and climate. At the next CBD-COP16 governments will therefore be required to submit updated national strategies and action plans detailing how they intend to integrate these objectives into their national policies. This is a crucial step in ensuring that global commitments are translated into concrete and measurable action at the national level.

The XNatura Platform, by 3Bee Ecosystem is based on the Nature Positive concept. It is an integrated and scientifically validated solution that allows companies, municipalities and nature parks to identify and close their nature, climate and biodiversity gaps by monitoring four key risk indices in a simple and rapid way. This is done in accordance with international standards and by identifying an appropriate climate and biodiversity strategy, based on the identified impacts and dependencies on the ecosystem services directly involved. The XNatura platform uses advanced technologies that combine satellite data, field technology and public databases. After an initial assessment phase, a Biodiversity Strategist, a technical member of the 3Bee team who is trained to assist partners in defining a tailor-made biodiversity restoration and conservation strategy, steps in.