Ambition into action: reflections on nature from the private sector

Why private sector nature commitments now face a delivery test

Businesses face growing pressure to convert broad sustainability statements into measurable action on biodiversity loss and nature-related risk. Consequently, the built environment has moved to the centre of corporate nature strategy. A recent roundtable hosted by edie with Arup examined how companies can restore nature and enhance biodiversity within property, infrastructure and construction. The discussion reflects a wider shift: nature is no longer peripheral. It now appears in boardroom conversations about supply chain resilience, water availability, soil health, regulation and investor expectations.

This matters because the built environment directly affects land conversion, urban ecology, water management and material demand. Therefore, companies in real estate, construction and infrastructure are increasingly expected to move beyond mitigation toward measurable habitat enhancement and biodiversity gain. The question is whether ambition can translate into execution.

Nature moves from aspiration to business risk

In its 2025 annual review, Business for Nature said nature had moved further into the mainstream across business and finance. However, companies continue to struggle with implementation challenges. The organisation noted rising focus on nature-related risks and opportunities, particularly those grounded in tangible business issues such as freshwater availability and soil health. These are not abstract environmental concerns. They directly affect operational continuity and long-term competitiveness.

Several major industry initiatives have reinforced this shift. The Science Based Targets Network continued its Step Up for Nature campaign to expand adoption of science-based nature targets. Meanwhile, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development launched its Nature Action Portal, designed as a practical implementation hub for companies. The Nature Positive Initiative is also developing nature metrics for terrestrial ecosystems to improve data access for companies and financial institutions.

Investor engagement is also growing. Nature Action 100, described by Ceres as the first global investor-led engagement initiative to address nature and biodiversity loss, has been highlighting the role of private sector ambition ahead of international biodiversity negotiations. Firms with significant land, water or supply chain exposure now face questions about how they understand and manage nature-related dependencies and impacts.

How the built environment affects biodiversity outcomes

The edie roundtable with Arup focused specifically on the built environment because this sector is one of the most resource-intensive and land-impacting parts of the economy. It influences land use and habitat fragmentation. It drives water demand and affects runoff patterns. It determines materials extraction and embodied impacts. It shapes urban heat and climate resilience. Importantly, it also presents opportunities for nature-positive design in infrastructure and property.

While the roundtable description does not list specific participants or outcomes, the framing suggests the discussion aimed to bridge a persistent gap. Many companies now have environmental ambitions. Fewer have embedded biodiversity into capital planning, design standards, procurement and operations. This gap matters because the built environment can either accelerate nature loss through poorly planned development or become a lever for restoration through greener design and better land stewardship.

For businesses in this sector, the expectation is shifting from harm reduction to measurable improvement. Companies are expected to demonstrate habitat enhancement, biodiversity net gain, water-sensitive design, lower-impact materials and nature-integrated urban planning. These are no longer voluntary enhancements. They are becoming baseline expectations in planning, procurement and investor engagement.

Global biodiversity policy creates new business context

The policy environment around nature is becoming more operational. The High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People is an intergovernmental group of 117 countries co-chaired by Costa Rica and France, with the United Kingdom as ocean co-chair. It was created to help deliver the global goal of protecting 30% of land and 30% of ocean by 2030. This political target will influence land-use planning, permitting, nature reporting and project design expectations in the years ahead.

Corporate engagement is increasing. Nature Metrics reported after COP16 that 3,000 corporations had shown unprecedented engagement in biodiversity initiatives. However, the organisation also asked what comes next after COP16: turning ambition into action for nature. That framing captures the challenge facing most companies. Awareness and commitment are growing. Implementation at scale remains difficult.

Reporting and disclosure pressure is also rising. The emergence of nature-related reporting and target-setting frameworks is making biodiversity a more formal business issue, particularly for firms with land, water and supply chain exposure. Although no single mandated global reporting standard exists yet, the direction of travel is clear. Companies are being expected to show how they understand and manage nature-related dependencies and impacts.

What companies should be considering now

For UK SMEs, particularly those in construction, property, infrastructure and manufacturing, this shift has practical implications. Firstly, public sector procurement is likely to include stronger expectations around biodiversity net gain and nature-positive design. Secondly, planning permissions may require demonstrable habitat enhancement or water management improvements. Thirdly, investors and lenders are increasingly asking about nature-related risks in portfolios and supply chains.

Additionally, larger clients are beginning to require evidence of nature strategies from their supply chains. This means smaller firms may face biodiversity-related questions in tender processes, supplier assessments and contract renewals. Consequently, businesses that integrate nature considerations into operations early may be better positioned for future regulation, investor expectations and customer demand.

There are also risk management reasons to pay attention. Water scarcity, degraded soils, ecosystem collapse and climate resilience all carry financial consequences. These are not distant risks. They affect business continuity, insurance costs, operational reliability and asset values. Therefore, understanding where your business depends on natural resources or affects biodiversity is becoming a material business concern.

Several practical steps can help. Mapping dependencies and impacts in portfolios and supply chains provides a baseline. Setting science-based nature targets creates accountability. Redesigning sites and developments for habitat and water outcomes demonstrates credible action. Integrating biodiversity into capital expenditure decisions ensures nature considerations appear in investment planning. Reporting progress with consistent metrics builds trust and transparency.

Our nature-positive investment support helps businesses understand where biodiversity considerations intersect with compliance, procurement and operational planning. Similarly, our compliance services assist firms in navigating emerging nature-related reporting expectations and regulatory requirements.

Key facts about the private sector nature agenda

• Business for Nature reported in 2025 that nature has moved further into the mainstream across business and finance, with rising focus on nature-related risks grounded in tangible business issues.
• The High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People is an intergovernmental group of 117 countries working to protect 30% of land and 30% of ocean by 2030, which will influence land-use planning and permitting.
• Nature Metrics reported that 3,000 corporations showed unprecedented engagement in biodiversity initiatives after COP16, highlighting the gap between ambition and implementation.
• The Science Based Targets Network, World Business Council for Sustainable Development and Nature Positive Initiative have all launched practical tools and campaigns to support corporate nature action.
• Nature Action 100 is the first global investor-led engagement initiative addressing nature and biodiversity loss, increasing scrutiny on how companies manage nature-related dependencies.
• The built environment sector is particularly significant because it directly affects land conversion, water demand, materials extraction, urban heat and opportunities for habitat creation.
• Companies are increasingly expected to demonstrate biodiversity net gain, habitat enhancement, water-sensitive design and lower-impact materials rather than simply mitigating harm.

Moving from commitment to credible implementation

The phrase “ambition into action” is not simply branding. It describes the central challenge of the next phase of corporate nature strategy. As Business for Nature noted, the question is no longer whether biodiversity matters. That is increasingly settled. The challenge is whether companies can convert recognition into tangible business practices and measurable delivery.

For businesses in the built environment, this means integrating nature considerations into every stage of project design, capital allocation and supply chain management. It means asking how developments affect water systems, soil quality, habitat connectivity and urban ecology. It means considering biodiversity in material selection, site layout, landscaping and long-term stewardship. Importantly, it means reporting progress with sufficient rigour to withstand investor, regulator and customer scrutiny.

The built environment matters because it affects land, water, materials and cities at scale. If this sector changes how it plans and builds, it can influence outcomes well beyond individual projects. Conversely, if businesses in this sector fail to integrate nature into their operations, they risk falling behind regulatory expectations, losing competitive advantage and facing material risks to business continuity.

The next phase of corporate nature strategy will be defined by execution rather than aspiration. Companies that map dependencies, set credible targets, integrate biodiversity into capital decisions and report progress transparently will be better positioned for the regulatory, investor and customer expectations ahead. Those that treat nature as a peripheral concern will face increasing pressure from multiple directions.

Where to find further guidance

Several authoritative sources provide additional information for businesses navigating nature-related risks and opportunities. The Business for Nature website offers practical resources and case studies on corporate nature action. The Science Based Targets Network provides guidance on setting science-based nature targets. The UK government’s biodiversity net gain guidance explains regulatory expectations for development projects in England.

For businesses seeking support with nature-positive strategies, compliance requirements or sustainable procurement, our net zero hub provides guidance on integrating environmental considerations into business operations. We also offer training through SBS Academy on emerging sustainability requirements, including biodiversity and nature-related reporting.