Nature-Based Solutions for Addressing Business Risks
September 11 @ 11:00 am - 12:45 pm
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are increasingly recognised as essential to addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, nature loss, water scarcity and their impact on livelihoods, while delivering tangible business value.
For South African companies, NbS are particularly relevant given that business is already experiencing material impacts from nature-related risks, including flood damage, causing billions of Rands in asset losses. Increasing climate volatility, characterised by cycles of drought and extreme flooding, are amplifying operational, supply chain, and financial risks across sectors. Nature-based Solutions provide a scalable pathway to help mitigate these physical risks, while reducing compliance risk, strengthening licence to operate, and delivering integrated climate, water, biodiversity and social benefits.
Despite strong global momentum, private sector uptake of NbS remains constrained by:
Limited understanding of the business case;
Challenges in the measurement and valuation of benefits;
Uncertainty around implementation models and partnerships; and
Difficulty integrating NbS into core business strategy and finance decisions.
Considering these constraints, the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and external experts, are hosting a Thought Leadership Session (TLS) for NBI’s corporate members that will enhance awareness and strengthen the capacity of South African companies to meaningfully engage with the NbS concept. Emphasis will be placed on supporting the transition from conceptual understanding to practical implementation.
Key objectives:
Raise awareness of the Nature-based Solutions concept;
Build capacity through practical case studies drawn from real-world examples;
Provide insight into one financing mechanism of such initiatives; and
Survey the audience for future NbS TLS design.
Speakers will include:
Bennet Gartelmann:Associate on Nature Action, WBCSD
Peter Beare:NbS expert and former WBCSD Nature Manager
Dr Richard Taylor:Taylor Made Water Solutions
Faye Brownell:Convener of the Cross-Catchment Collective
Martin Potgieter:Investment Banking Director, RMB
Key objectives:
Date: Friday, 11 September 2026
Time: 11:00 to 12:45
Platform: Online via Zoom
We look forward to your participation as we continue accelerating credible, collective action for nature.
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are increasingly recognised as essential to addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, nature loss, water scarcity and their impact on livelihoods, while delivering tangible business value.
For South African companies, NbS are particularly relevant given that business is already experiencing material impacts from nature-related risks, including flood damage, causing billions of Rands in asset losses. Increasing climate volatility, characterised by cycles of drought and extreme flooding, are amplifying operational, supply chain, and financial risks across sectors. Nature-based Solutions provide a scalable pathway to help mitigate these physical risks, while reducing compliance risk, strengthening licence to operate, and delivering integrated climate, water, biodiversity and social benefits.
Despite strong global momentum, private sector uptake of NbS remains constrained by:
Considering these constraints, the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and external experts, are hosting a Thought Leadership Session (TLS) for NBI’s corporate members that will enhance awareness and strengthen the capacity of South African companies to meaningfully engage with the NbS concept. Emphasis will be placed on supporting the transition from conceptual understanding to practical implementation.
Key objectives:
Speakers will include:
Key objectives:
We look forward to your participation as we continue accelerating credible, collective action for nature.
Details
Venue