Jeremy Leggett Launches Nature Recovery Investment Firm

Solar entrepreneur Jeremy Leggett launches nature investment firm

Jeremy Leggett has launched a new investment firm to bring private capital into nature recovery. The venture, called NatureProsperity, aims to fund rewilding and biodiversity projects across the UK. Leggett brings decades of experience from the renewable energy sector, where he founded Solarcentury and helped build the commercial solar industry.

The move signals a shift in how restoration projects could be funded. Rather than relying on grants or public money alone, NatureProsperity treats nature recovery as an investable asset class. This approach mirrors the model that helped solar energy scale from a niche technology into a mainstream energy source.

For businesses, the launch highlights a growing trend. Investors are increasingly looking at nature-based projects as viable commercial opportunities. This matters because it could unlock significant funding for land restoration, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity improvements that affect supply chains and environmental reporting.

The investment model behind NatureProsperity

Leggett founded Highlands Rewilding in 2020 as a nature recovery company with clear commercial goals. The project focuses on carbon sequestration, biodiversity improvements, and rural employment creation. NatureProsperity builds on this work by creating an investment vehicle to fund similar projects at scale.

The firm secured MAKAR as a founding investor. MAKAR is a Scottish company that builds affordable homes from locally sourced timber. This partnership suggests NatureProsperity is connecting land use, nature recovery, and local enterprise within a single investment framework. The inclusion of a timber-based homebuilder indicates the venture is thinking about integrated supply chains.

Leggett has publicly stated that nature recovery needs the same kind of market-building that drove solar energy forward. He describes the nature recovery sector as embryonic but essential. His argument is that private capital must be mobilized quickly if the UK is to meet its biodiversity and climate targets.

This approach differs from traditional conservation funding. Instead of relying solely on government grants or charitable donations, NatureProsperity seeks to demonstrate that nature restoration can generate returns. Those returns could come from carbon credits, biodiversity net gain requirements, or supply chain integration. The firm is effectively trying to prove that ecosystems can function as economic infrastructure.

Why private capital is moving into nature recovery

The UK government has set legally binding targets for biodiversity and net zero emissions by 2050. Meeting these commitments requires significant land restoration, habitat creation, and carbon sequestration. Public funding alone will not cover the costs. Consequently, investors are looking at nature-based projects as a way to support environmental goals while generating financial returns.

Several factors are driving this shift. First, biodiversity net gain became a legal requirement for most new developments in England from February 2024. Developers must ensure that projects deliver a measurable increase in biodiversity. This creates demand for nature recovery projects that can sell biodiversity units. Second, carbon markets are maturing, making it easier to value and trade carbon sequestration from land restoration. Third, supply chain regulations increasingly require businesses to report on environmental impacts, including Scope 3 emissions and nature-related risks.

For SMEs, this has practical implications. Businesses that rely on natural resources or operate in sectors like construction, agriculture, or manufacturing face growing pressure to demonstrate environmental responsibility. This pressure comes from both regulatory requirements and customer expectations. Companies that engage early with nature-based solutions may find it easier to meet future compliance obligations.

Moreover, nature recovery projects can create local supply chains. The partnership with MAKAR illustrates this point. By linking land restoration with timber production and sustainable construction, NatureProsperity is building a model where environmental improvements support commercial activity. This could be particularly relevant for businesses in rural areas or those looking to strengthen their sustainability credentials.

How this affects UK businesses and procurement

Businesses are increasingly expected to address nature-related risks in their operations. The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures is developing a framework for companies to report on biodiversity impacts. Although these requirements are not yet mandatory for all businesses, larger companies and those in high-impact sectors are starting to adopt them voluntarily. This creates a ripple effect through supply chains.

For example, a construction firm may need to demonstrate that its timber suppliers operate sustainably. A food manufacturer may need to show that its agricultural supply chain protects soil health and biodiversity. A logistics company may face questions about land use impacts from distribution centers. In each case, businesses need access to credible data and partners who can help them meet these expectations.

NatureProsperity’s model could provide part of the solution. By investing in measurable nature recovery projects, the firm is creating a pipeline of verified environmental improvements. Businesses could potentially use these projects to offset unavoidable impacts or strengthen their environmental reporting. However, this depends on the transparency and rigor of the monitoring systems used.

Public sector procurement is also changing. PPN 06/21 requires suppliers bidding for central government contracts above £5 million to publish a carbon reduction plan. Future procurement rules are likely to include nature-related criteria as well. Businesses that can demonstrate engagement with nature recovery projects may find themselves better positioned to meet these requirements.

Additionally, nature recovery projects can improve land value and create new revenue streams for landowners. This could matter for businesses with property portfolios or those involved in land management. Investing in habitat restoration or carbon sequestration can generate tradable units while improving the resilience of the land itself.

Essential details about the NatureProsperity launch

• Jeremy Leggett launched NatureProsperity to bring private investment into nature recovery projects across the UK.
• The firm builds on Leggett’s experience founding Solarcentury, SolarAid, and Highlands Rewilding.
• MAKAR, a Scottish company that builds homes from locally sourced timber, joined as a founding investor in the venture.
• Highlands Rewilding, founded in 2020, focuses on carbon sequestration, biodiversity improvements, and sustainable rural employment.
• The investment model aims to treat nature recovery as an asset class, similar to the approach that helped solar energy scale commercially.
• The launch reflects growing investor interest in nature-based projects driven by biodiversity net gain rules, carbon markets, and supply chain regulations.
• Businesses face increasing pressure to report on nature-related risks and demonstrate environmental responsibility in their operations and procurement.

What businesses should consider in response

The emergence of investment firms like NatureProsperity indicates that nature recovery is becoming a commercial sector. For businesses, this means new opportunities and new expectations. Companies should start by understanding their exposure to nature-related risks. This includes direct impacts from operations and indirect impacts through supply chains.

Larger businesses may need to report on biodiversity under emerging disclosure frameworks. Smaller businesses may face questions from customers or procurement teams about their environmental practices. Either way, having a clear understanding of your nature-related impacts is becoming important. This does not necessarily mean costly interventions. It often starts with mapping where your business interacts with natural systems.

Businesses in sectors like construction, agriculture, property development, and manufacturing should pay particular attention. These industries have direct connections to land use and biodiversity. However, even service-based businesses may face questions about their premises, supply chains, or employee travel impacts. The key is to identify where your business has material nature-related risks or opportunities.

Investing in nature recovery projects can offer several benefits. It can help meet carbon reduction targets through sequestration. It can support biodiversity net gain obligations for developers. It can strengthen supply chain sustainability for companies relying on natural resources. It can also improve corporate reputation among customers and investors who increasingly prioritize environmental performance.

However, businesses should approach these opportunities with care. Not all nature recovery projects deliver the same outcomes. Monitoring and verification systems vary in quality. Businesses should look for projects with transparent methodologies, third-party verification, and clear governance structures. The credibility of your environmental claims depends on the credibility of the projects you support.

Working with experienced partners is important. Whether you are looking to invest in nature recovery, offset unavoidable impacts, or strengthen your supply chain sustainability, you need access to reliable information and robust projects. We support businesses with nature-based investments and biodiversity planning that meet regulatory requirements and deliver measurable environmental improvements.

Businesses should also consider how nature recovery fits into their broader sustainability strategy. It should complement rather than replace direct emission reductions. For example, improving energy efficiency and switching to renewable energy remain priorities. Nature-based solutions work best when they are part of a comprehensive approach to environmental performance.

Where to find further information

The UK government provides guidance on biodiversity net gain through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This includes information on the legal requirements, calculation methods, and approved habitats. Businesses involved in development projects should review these resources carefully.

The government’s environmental reporting guidelines cover mandatory greenhouse gas emissions reporting and include sections on nature-related disclosures. These guidelines are useful for understanding what may be required in future reporting cycles.

For businesses looking at carbon markets and nature-based carbon credits, the UK Emissions Trading Scheme provides a regulatory framework. However, voluntary carbon markets operate alongside this system, and businesses should ensure any credits they purchase meet recognized standards.

Industry bodies such as the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment offer guidance on integrating nature considerations into environmental management systems. Their resources can help businesses develop practical approaches to biodiversity risk assessment and reporting.

Finally, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures is developing a comprehensive framework for nature-related reporting. Although not yet mandatory, this framework is shaping how businesses and investors think about nature risks and opportunities. Understanding its structure can help businesses prepare for future disclosure requirements.