Create a Net Zero Strategy

Embed Nature into Net Zero Strategy

There is no net zero without nature. By integrating nature-positive goals into net zero plans, companies can significantly contribute to advancing climate objectives. This is because nature action boosts climate mitigation. With critical deadlines approaching to protect nature, the nature-positive pathway is an essential resource for companies in net zero planning and risk mitigation.

There is no Net Zero without nature. Integrating nature-positive goals into net zero plans allows companies to advance climate objectives more effectively, because healthy ecosystems—forests, peatlands, and oceans—enhance carbon sequestration, climate resilience and human health. As ecosystems degrade, their ability to absorb carbon diminishes, making climate goals harder to achieve.  

Restoring nature not only supports climate mitigation but also reduces physical risks to business assets and value chains caused by climate change, while securing critical nature-based services essential for business continuity and human well-being. With critical deadlines approaching to protect biodiversity, the nature-positive pathway is an essential resource for companies seeking to align net zero planning with long-term environmental sustainability and business resiliency. 

The nature-positive pathway does not need to be separate from a net zero pathway; ideally, the two are integrated and follow four critical steps:  

  • Assess and Reduce Impact: Conduct a materiality screening and create a comprehensive emissions inventory to identify where business activities interact with nature and assess material dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities.  
  • Set science-aligned targets: Establish precise, time-bound, science-aligned targets to mitigate priority impacts on nature, aiming for net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner.  
  • Take Action & Engage Stakeholders: Collaborate with stakeholders to implement integrated climate and nature strategies to avoid future impacts, reduce current impacts, and regenerate and restore ecosystems.  
  • Report and Disclose: Prepare disclosures by creating responses to material issues, strategies, action plans, and risk management processes to achieve targets. Transparently report progress against commitments and compliance with evolving disclosure requirements.  

The nature-positive pathway consolidates recommendations from emerging frameworks and targets, such as the Capital Coalition’s ACT-D Approach, Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN), and the Task Force on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).  

As regulations evolve, businesses must stay ahead by preparing for and meeting disclosure requirements. The nature-positive pathway helps identify and leverage emerging opportunities in climate mitigation, while safeguarding nature-based services that are vital for long-term business resilience and human well-being.