IFB Partner, Professor Piran White form the University of York, hosted a networking lunch and workshop to explore how integrating nature into business decisions can drive impact and value. The event was a collaboration between the University of York, Lancaster University, NextEnergy Capital and NextEnergy Solar Fund, Finance & Investment in Nature Positive Energy. It brought together a diverse group of investors, financial institutions, and sustainability leaders.
From Kathryn Deegan’s keynote on why nature matters in capital markets, to deep dives into over 100 TNFD reports, nature integration, and materiality, our workshop made one thing clear: The question is no longer if nature should be on the financial agenda, but how we embed it meaningfully, measurably, and urgently.
Throughout the day, participants shared experiences of building capabilities, trialling approaches, and engaging with nature as a systemic risk and a strategic value. These revealed that data gaps, governance questions, and value chain complexity persist. However, the positive view is that there is growing momentum, collaboration, and innovation across the sector.
The agreed next steps are:
- Continue to build the research community – The relationships built at the workshop are the foundation for progress.
- Continue testing and sharing.
- Lead solutions on materiality and risk.
- Remember the “why” – consider returns and resilience, and the inter-generational impact and long-term value for people and planet.