Nature and Business: A Glimpse into the Future of Biodiversity Funding and Action

RRE Chair Tim Armitage had the privilege of attending the Sustainable Business Network’s Nature and Business Symposium in Auckland this week. A gathering that brought together innovators, corporates, government agencies, iwi, and community leaders to explore how Aotearoa can become a global leader in nature-positive action. RRE was able to secure one of only five complimentary tickets to the event, ensuring we could be part of the kōrero about how nature and biodiversity are finding a place at the board table.

Why Businesses Are Acting for Nature

The day’s panels and keynotes focused heavily on how companies are building biodiversity action into their operations, brands, and balance sheets. Global species populations have plummeted by 73% in the last 50 years, and the message was clear: business as usual is no longer an option.

Speakers from Westpac and Z Energy shared how they’re channelling green and biodiversity funds into real-world outcomes work that could inspire future guest speakers for our own Connect & Inspire event. With the rise of biodiversity credits, green bonds, and nature-based investment models, there is real potential for our local environmental groups to diversify funding sources and reduce reliance on the small, competitive local grants pool.

Heavyweight Voices and Practical Insights

It was invaluable to hear from experts representing the Ministry for the Environment, DOC, Auckland Council, Zealandia, Trees That Count, Pāmu, Comvita, and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Many shared how they measure the return on investment (ROI) of biodiversity work, from ecological health monitoring tools to planetary accounting frameworks that track whether business impacts stay within nature’s limits.

Looking Ahead

The symposium also delved into governance innovation, such as legal models giving Nature itself a shareholder role in companies, and celebrated community-led projects grounded in mātauranga Māori, such as Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s Ko Te Pūkākī: 2040 blueprint for mātauranga taiao.

For RRE, the big takeaway is that there’s a whole world of opportunity in this emerging nature finance space. We can play a role in helping our local groups understand and access these models, supporting a shift towards stronger, more resilient financial footing for conservation.

There’s much more to unpack, but one thing’s certain, this was a day full of ideas and energy that will feed directly into our thinking for future collaborations, funding strategies, and events.