A major new international assessment endorsed this week by over 150 governments warns that nature loss is becoming a systemic risk for economies, supply chains and financial stability.

The findings support a global shift towards nature-positive investment, with the EU stepping up initiatives to mobilise private finance and drive real-world implementation. 

The new Business and Biodiversity Assessment by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) finds that every business depends on biodiversity, and every business impacts it.

Healthy ecosystems underpin economic activity, from food production and raw materials to water supply, climate resilience, tourism and cultural value. Yet decades of unsustainable economic growth have driven significant biodiversity loss, creating systemic risks for supply chains, financial stability and human wellbeing. 

“Science is clear: our economies and businesses rely on nature. Protecting and restoring ecosystems is not only an environmental necessity – it is an economic priority. I also warmly welcome Slovenia’s accession to IPBES, meaning that all 27 EU Member States are now part of this vital global science-policy platform.

This strengthens Europe’s collective commitment to evidence-based action and to turning science into real investment and implementation on the ground.”

Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy

Global science points to growing finance gap

The IPBES assessment highlights the central role of businesses, investors and financial institutions in closing the global nature finance gap. It identifies more than 100 actions to help companies, governments and financial actors better measure, manage and reduce impacts on biodiversity while contributing to restoration and sustainable growth. 

At the same time, the report exposes structural challenges. Many businesses do not bear the full financial cost of environmental damage, while positive contributions to biodiversity are often not rewarded. Financial flows harmful to biodiversity reached an estimated €6.12 trillion in 2023, including environmentally harmful public subsidies and private investment in high-impact sectors, compared to around €184.58 billion invested in conservation and restoration.  

Public spending on environmentally harmful subsidies is approximately €2.01 trillion, including fossil fuels (€948.07 billion), agriculture (€343.99 billion), water (€335.60 billion), transport (€151.02 billion), construction (€125.85 billion) and fisheries (€50.34 billion). These figures highlight a major need and an opportunity to repurpose capital and unlock new financial flows to support biodiversity.

Fewer than 1% of publicly reporting companies currently disclose biodiversity impacts –underscoring the need to align financial systems, incentives and policies with nature-positive outcomes. 

From science to investment and delivery

At an EU level, the Commission is translating this global scientific momentum into practical investment tools. The Roadmap towards nature credits aims to create credible mechanisms that reward measurable positive outcomes for ecosystems and mobilise private finance for restoration and sustainable land and sea management. 

Work is progressing through an Expert Group, a dedicated scoping study and pilot projects designed to test approaches and build a robust evidence base. Over the coming months, the initiative will move further into an operational phase, with early results from pilot projects and expanded advisory support. 

Ongoing engagement with Member States, businesses and international partners will help prepare the ground for future policy development and international cooperation. 

Showcasing the business case for nature

These and other efforts will be brought together at EU Green Week 2026, to be held in June, which will focus on investing in nature and demonstrating the business case for a nature-positive economy.

The event will highlight how nature-positive models work in practice – from innovative businesses and farmers delivering economic and environmental benefits, to cities applying nature-based solutions.

For the first time, EU Green Week will host a startup–investor matchmaking event, connecting start-ups and SMEs working on nature-based solutions with potential investors.

Registrations open in April. 

Background

The IPBES is the world’s leading independent scientific body providing governments with authoritative evidence on biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Established in 2012 and bringing together more than 150 governments and hundreds of experts worldwide, the IPBES produces rigorous global assessments that inform international negotiations and policy decisions on nature. By identifying knowledge gaps, strengthening scientific cooperation and providing practical tools for policymakers, the IPBES helps translate the best available science into action to address biodiversity loss. 

The EU participates as an enhanced observer and contributes to its work through the European Commission. During IPBES12, Slovenia was announced as a new Member of the IPBES, following Poland, Cyprus and Malta in 2025.

With this, all 27 EU Member States are now members of IPBES, reinforcing Europe’s commitment to science-based action for biodiversity and sustainable development.