Financing for Nature

Natural Capital 

Mainstreaming natural capital to transform the economic paradigm.

The World Economic Forum's work on natural capital aims to mainstream natural capital in the global socioeconomic agenda, and rapidly scale its application in decision making.

There is an urgent need to embed natural capital in economic and financial systems to fully account for nature’s true value.

Why does this matter? Natural capital is in severe decline today: the stock of renewable natural capital per person globally has declined by 20%, while produced capital per person increased by 47% during the period 1995-2020. At the same time, over half of global economic output is significantly dependent on nature.  

Natural capital underpins our economy and society

What is natural capital?

Natural capital is the world’s stock of natural resources, both renewable and non-renewable, that combined provide a flow of benefits to humanity. These are essential to our wellbeing, ranging from provisions such as food and materials, regulating services including pollination and extreme weather mitigation, to cultural value via recreation, science, and spirituality.

Global economic systems encourage growth in physical output and financial gains at the cost of natural capital. Natural resources are largely considered “free” inputs in production processes and, therefore, fully exploited, with no incentives for their protection, maintenance, and enhancement.

Our approach

We work with a dedicated community of experts and leading organisations in natural capital and nature finance to mainstream natural capital, including the Capitals Coalition, the World Bank, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Natural Capital Project, and leading businesses.

Together, our work to mainstream natural capital explores supportive public policies, data infrastructure, capacity building, accounting innovation, finance solutions, and values and systems change. 

Raising ambition at the highest levels

Raising awareness with high-level policymakers and business leaders on the value of natural capital, including via stakeholder dialogues, live sessions, workshops, and thought leadership.

Providing a platform for problem solving

Convening interdisciplinary expert groups, workshops, and knowledge exchanges, and supporting public-private collaboration, to advance the global natural capital discourse.

Championing the natural capital approach

Advocating for decisions that protect, maintain and enhance natural capital by using natural capital accounting and valuation in decision making.

   

Global Future Council on Natural Capital

The Global Future Council on Natural Capital convenes 25 experts from academia, business, government, indigenous communities, civil society, and international organizations, operating as a time-bound think-tank that stewards our work to mainstream natural capital. 

The World Economic Forum’s Network of Global Future Councils is the world’s foremost multistakeholder and interdisciplinary knowledge network dedicated to promoting innovative thinking to shape a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future. Each council’s insights are taken forward by the Forum’s ongoing initiatives, communities and meetings to ensure impact. 

Related Insights

  

Finance Solutions for Nature: Pathways to Returns and 
Outcomes

This report provides a practical framework to help institutional investors, banks, asset managers and development actors identify the right finance solutions to unlock investment in nature. 

Sep, 2025 | World Economic Forum

Mainstreaming Natural Capital: Advancing the Global Agenda to Mainstream Nature in Decision-Making

This Community Paper covers key concepts in natural capital, outlines the landscape of initiatives, and sets out five action areas to advance the global agenda.     

Sep, 2025 | World Economic Forum

Investing in Natural Capital: Innovations Supporting Much-Needed Financing for Nature


This insight report aims to provide a framework for evaluating how innovation can mobilize more investment for natural capital.


Sep, 2024 | World Economic Forum

Financing for Nature

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