Inside LCAW’s Nature-Based Solutions Summit Discussion

Nature-based solutions move from optional to essential in climate planning

At London Climate Action Week, the central message was clear. Protecting and restoring ecosystems is not a side project. It is a core climate tool that addresses adaptation, carbon removal, and biodiversity recovery in one integrated approach. The Nature-Based Solutions discussion positioned these methods as practical responses to climate risk while supporting net-zero targets.

This framing reflects a broader shift in how policymakers and businesses view natural systems. Instead of treating them as passive assets, they are now seen as active infrastructure for climate resilience and decarbonisation. For UK businesses, particularly those in sectors like construction, land management, and supply chain logistics, this shift has real consequences.

Furthermore, the emphasis at LCAW 2025 signals that nature-based solutions are gaining traction as policy instruments. The Nature Hub asked what it will take to scale these approaches and positioned them as a major lever for climate action. This is not aspirational language. It reflects emerging compliance requirements, tender criteria, and investor expectations.

Understanding how nature-based solutions are being embedded into climate policy helps businesses anticipate regulatory changes. It also clarifies what funders, procurement teams, and stakeholders increasingly expect from environmental strategies.

California summit sets policy direction for ecosystem-based climate action

California’s first Nature-Based Solutions Summit took place on 29 January 2026. The California Natural Resources Agency hosted the event, bringing together diverse leaders to share insights and identify next steps for expanding nature-based solutions across the state. The summit was not a symbolic gathering. It laid out a strategic framework linking these approaches to public safety, economic resilience, workforce development, and cultural restoration.

State officials defined nature-based solutions as land management practices that increase the health and resilience of ecosystems and landscapes. This definition is deliberately broad. It includes reforestation, wetland restoration, soil management, and urban green infrastructure. Importantly, it connects these activities to California’s goal of managing more than half of the state’s lands with nature-based solutions by 2045.

This target has direct implications for how businesses operate in sectors that depend on land use, water resources, or natural capital. For example, companies with operations in agriculture, forestry, or property development will need to align with state-level expectations. Those that supply into California or partner with organisations operating there may face similar pressures.

The summit also highlighted that nature-based solutions deliver multiple benefits simultaneously. They support climate mitigation, ecosystem restoration, and community resilience. This is a departure from single-purpose infrastructure projects. It reflects a growing recognition that conventional engineering solutions often fail to address the full range of climate risks.

Consequently, businesses that integrate nature-based solutions into their strategies may find they meet several compliance and reporting requirements at once. This can reduce costs compared to implementing separate measures for carbon reduction, biodiversity protection, and climate adaptation.

UK businesses face parallel expectations in climate and procurement policy

The themes emerging from California and London Climate Action Week are not isolated developments. UK businesses are seeing similar priorities reflected in procurement policy, particularly for public sector contracts. PPN 06/21 requires suppliers to demonstrate how they will achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Meanwhile, biodiversity net gain requirements are reshaping how construction and development projects are assessed.

Nature-based solutions sit at the intersection of these policies. They can contribute to carbon reduction targets while also addressing biodiversity obligations. For businesses bidding on public contracts or working with large corporate clients, understanding this overlap is essential. Tenders are increasingly asking for evidence of nature-positive outcomes alongside carbon reporting.

Moreover, supply chain expectations are shifting. Major retailers, manufacturers, and infrastructure operators are asking their suppliers to demonstrate environmental resilience. This includes managing risks related to water availability, soil health, and ecosystem stability. Nature-based solutions provide a framework for addressing these risks in a way that also supports climate goals.

The commercial reality is that businesses without a coherent approach to natural capital and ecosystem health may face competitive disadvantages. Clients and partners are looking for suppliers who can demonstrate long-term thinking. They want to see evidence that environmental strategies are embedded in operations, not bolted on as an afterthought.

Additionally, investors are paying closer attention to nature-related risks. The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures is driving expectations for better reporting on how businesses depend on and impact natural systems. Companies that can show they are managing these dependencies through nature-based solutions may find it easier to secure funding and maintain investor confidence.

How nature-based solutions connect to net-zero and resilience planning

Nature-based solutions are increasingly recognised as measures that work with natural systems rather than against them. This approach helps restore ecosystems while delivering climate benefits. For businesses, this means rethinking how they manage land, water, and biodiversity within their operations and supply chains.

One of the key advantages is that these solutions address both mitigation and adaptation. Planting trees, restoring wetlands, or improving soil health can sequester carbon while also reducing flood risk, improving water quality, and stabilising local ecosystems. This dual function makes them particularly valuable for businesses operating in climate-vulnerable regions.

For example, a manufacturing site near a floodplain might use wetland restoration to reduce flood risk while also contributing to carbon sequestration. This could satisfy both climate adaptation requirements and carbon reduction targets. It might also improve community relations and reduce insurance costs.

Similarly, businesses with agricultural supply chains can work with suppliers to implement regenerative practices that restore soil health. This can improve crop resilience, reduce input costs, and support carbon removal. It also addresses supply chain risks related to soil degradation and water scarcity.

However, implementing nature-based solutions requires careful planning. Not all approaches deliver the same benefits in every context. Businesses need to assess their specific risks, dependencies, and opportunities. They also need to ensure that any nature-based interventions are designed to deliver measurable outcomes and align with recognised standards.

Working with expert advisors can help businesses identify the most appropriate solutions for their circumstances. It can also ensure that projects are designed to meet compliance requirements, satisfy procurement criteria, and withstand scrutiny from auditors and stakeholders.

What UK businesses need to know about nature-based climate strategies

• Nature-based solutions are being positioned as essential climate tools, not optional extras, across major policy forums including London Climate Action Week and California’s first Nature-Based Solutions Summit.
• California has set a target to manage more than half of the state’s lands with nature-based solutions by 2045, signalling long-term policy commitment to ecosystem-based climate action.
• UK procurement policy and biodiversity net gain requirements are creating parallel expectations for businesses to demonstrate nature-positive outcomes alongside carbon reduction.
• Nature-based solutions can deliver multiple benefits at once, including carbon sequestration, climate adaptation, ecosystem restoration, and community resilience, potentially reducing the cost of meeting separate compliance requirements.
• Investors and supply chain partners are increasingly scrutinising nature-related risks, with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures driving expectations for better reporting on natural capital dependencies.
• Implementing effective nature-based solutions requires context-specific planning to ensure measurable outcomes that align with recognised standards and satisfy audit requirements.

Planning for ecosystem-based compliance and resilience

The shift toward nature-based solutions reflects a broader recognition that climate action must address both emissions and resilience. For UK SMEs, this creates both challenges and opportunities. On one hand, expectations are rising. On the other hand, businesses that respond thoughtfully can build competitive advantages.

The first step is understanding how nature-based solutions relate to your specific sector and operations. If you manage land, own property, or depend on natural resources, the connection is direct. If you operate in supply chains that touch agriculture, forestry, or water-intensive industries, the connection is indirect but still significant.

Next, consider how these approaches could help you meet existing compliance requirements. For instance, if you need to demonstrate carbon reduction for public sector contracts, could reforestation or wetland restoration contribute? If you face biodiversity net gain obligations for a development project, could you design solutions that also support climate adaptation?

It is also worth thinking about risk management. Climate impacts like flooding, drought, and extreme heat pose direct threats to business operations. Nature-based solutions can reduce these risks in ways that conventional infrastructure cannot. This makes them a valuable tool for operational resilience, not just environmental compliance.

For businesses working with carbon reporting and net-zero program support, nature-based solutions can complement other decarbonisation measures. They are particularly useful for addressing residual emissions that are difficult to eliminate through operational changes alone. They can also provide a narrative that resonates with stakeholders who value environmental stewardship alongside climate action.

Training and capacity building are important too. Teams responsible for environmental management, procurement, and risk need to understand how nature-based solutions work and when they are appropriate. SBS Academy training on sustainability and compliance can help build this knowledge across your organisation.

Finally, businesses should prepare for increased scrutiny of nature-related claims. Just as carbon reporting has become more rigorous, biodiversity and ecosystem claims will face similar expectations. Any nature-based solution you implement should be backed by clear evidence, measurable outcomes, and alignment with recognised standards.

Where to find authoritative guidance on nature-based climate solutions

Several UK and international bodies provide detailed guidance on nature-based solutions and their role in climate policy. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes resources on how nature-based approaches fit within the UK’s net-zero strategy. Their guidance covers policy context, funding opportunities, and alignment with national climate commitments.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature offers a global standard for nature-based solutions that helps businesses understand best practices and avoid greenwashing. Their framework is widely referenced in policy discussions and can provide a foundation for developing credible strategies.

For businesses focused on biodiversity net gain and planning requirements, the UK government’s biodiversity net gain guidance explains statutory requirements and how ecosystem-based approaches can be used to meet them. This is particularly relevant for construction, development, and infrastructure sectors.

Finally, the Nature for Climate Fund provides information on funding for woodland creation, peatland restoration, and other nature-based projects. Understanding what support is available can help businesses develop business cases for implementing these solutions within their operations or supply chains.