Though business is beginning to acknowledge its value, nature is under severe threat. By 2030, the decline of vital ecosystem functions could strip $2.7 trillion from the global economy each year. No enterprise can flourish if the planet itself is failing.
Businesses need to identify and manage their nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities. This understanding is increasingly important for risk management, operational resilience, investor expectations and future growth.
As a result, the NBI are working with business in the following projects:
Science Based Targets Network South African Outreach
Nature is the backbone of human well-being and the foundation for all economic activity. The intricate connection between nature and climate calls for unified, collective action to stabilize the climate, preserve freshwater resources, regenerate land, secure a healthy ocean, and protect biodiversity.
Science-based targets for nature, endorsed by civil society, provide a credible and prescriptive approach to achieve these goals. Targets set using the Science Based Targets Network’s methods are grounded in the best available science, outlining what businesses and cities must do to stay within Earth’s limits while addressing human needs.
Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures
In August 2023, the Banking Association of South Africa (BASA) was approached by the Taskforce for Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Secretariat to act as its convening partner for the TNFD Consultation Group in and for South Africa. Shortly thereafter it was recognised that while BASA would be a valuable convenor for South African financial institutions, the TNFD Consultation Group would also need a convenor for “real economy” organisations. This realisation led to the identification (and subsequent invitation) of the NBI to fulfil a co-convening role with BASA for the TNFD Consultation Group.
- A Community of Practice work plan is in development
- For more information on how to join the Consultation Group, please email garthb@nbi.org.za or yaseenl@banking.org.za
Nature Action Accelerator
As part of Business for Nature’s goal to enable national implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, two key South African organisations, the National Business Initiative (NBI) and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), have partnered to drive the Nature Action Accelerator — a collaborative project which, through private sector capacity building and government engagement, will support stronger alignment between business leadership, biodiversity science and national policy.
Resource library
South Africa NAA Close Out Report
October 2026
EI4WS Project Infographic
June 2021
NBI- Unlocking the Invasive Biomass Economy in SA
October 2022
NBI Final Report – Business & Ecological Infrastructure
January 2024
Garth Barnes
