Resources on a
Nature-Positive Economy
Explore these resources to discover the vision and potential of a nature-positive economy.
New report
Mapping policy and co-operative initiative landscapes for systemic change towards a Nature-Positive Economy
Nature is the foundation of our economies and well-being—yet it's under unprecedented threat. To reverse this trend, this report lays out a strategic roadmap for transitioning to a nature-positive economy: one that not only reduces harm, but actively restores ecosystems through forward-looking policy and business action. The report provides a baseline assessment of key EU policies and cooperative initiatives across five priority sectors, offering guidance for governments, businesses, and stakeholders ready to drive systemic change.
Sectoral Briefs: Supporting the Nature-Positive Transition
Explore our series of sectoral policy briefs, each highlighting how key economic sectors can contribute to a Nature-Positive Economy. Covering agri-food systems, built environment, forestry, tourism, and the blue economy, these concise documents present the challenges, opportunities, and policy recommendations needed to transform these sectors — helping balance economic activity with ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation.
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Agri-food systems
Agriculture covers 38% of EU land but exerts the greatest pressure on European habitats, accounting for 48% of pollution pressures on ecosystems. This Agri-food systems brief explores how transitioning to a Nature-Positive Economy requires transforming agriculture into a driver of ecological restoration.
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Built Environment
The built environment plays a central role in Europe’s economy, contributing 9% of EU GDP and providing 18 million direct jobs. This brief explore explores how transitioning to a Nature-Positive Economy requires transforming cities from drivers of environmental degradation to champions of ecological restoration.
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Forestry
Forests cover 39% of the EU's land area, yet only 14% are reported as being in 'good' conservation status. This brief explores how transitioning to a Nature-Positive Economy requires transforming forest management from a focus purely on timber production to integrated approaches that restore and protect forest ecosystems.
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Tourism
Tourism contributes around 10% of the EU's GDP and employs nearly 23 million people, yet the industry continues to degrade the very ecosystems it depends on. This brief explores how transitioning to a Nature-Positive Economy requires transforming tourism from a driver of environmental degradation into a force for ecosystem restoration.
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Blue Economy
The blue economy directly employs 4.82 million people and contributes 2.4% to the EU-27 economy, yet 86% of EU marine protected areas still provide only low protection. This sectoral brief explores how transitioning to a Nature-Positive Economy requires transforming marine industries from drivers of biodiversity loss to forces for ocean restoration.
Concept Note: Framing the Nature- Positive Economy
A Nature-Positive Economy (NPE) seeks to promote prosperity while protecting and restoring the natural world we depend on. It creates opportunities for innovation, job creation, and food security while reducing the risks linked to nature loss.
We have developed a Concept Note and 5 Key Messages to outline what a nature-positive economy could look like. These resources are intended for businesses, NGOs, nature-based enterprises, policymakers, researchers, standards bodies, financial institutions, local communities, and citizens as a framework for action.
The Concept Note is available in English, while the Executive Summary and 5 Key Messages are provided in various formats and languages below.
Resources on a Nature-Positive Economy
5 Key Messages
One-pager visualising the five key messages of the NPE.
Slide Deck
A short presentation with more information on each of the key messages.
Executive Summary
A twelve-page summary document explaining the concept note.
Concept Note
Fifty-page document with appendices for an in-depth read.