Only 8% of regional businesses regularly engaged with Nature-based Solution (NbS), whilst under half of regional business, or 42%, have never adopted NbS, according to the latest report on Green Growth Trends in the East Midlands, 2026.
Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) are actions that protect, sustainably manage, or restore ecosystems to address societal challenges that benefit both human well-being and biodiversity. These solutions harness natural processes to tackle issues such as climate change, disaster risk, and water security. There are known challenges of business engagement with NbS and supporting local nature such as costs, resources, knowledge and information gaps. Latest research shows that proactive activities to support local nature does not need to be costly or too complex to implement.
Researchers at the University of Derby in partnership with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and East Midlands Chamber developed a NbS toolkit for business that helps to bridge understanding and terminology gaps. The toolkit was developed as part of the Better Business 4 Nature (BB4N) Project funded by the Species Survival Fund. The toolkit presents some of the key steps of engagement with NbS, and shares learning insights and practicalities of initiating and sustaining NbS in businesses of various size and sector belonging.
Depending on where your business on NbS journey, you might wish to start by enhancing biodiversity on your business site. You can improve resilience of your business and adaptation to climate change through water management and temperature control measures. Consider carbon offsetting wither locally or internationally depending on your carbon offsetting demands and budgets.
Studies has shown links between nature connectedness and staff wellbeing; the NbS toolkit develops this link further by offering practical steps on how businesses could strengthen staff wellbeing by introducing biophilic design in the workplace and supporting in-house and external employer pro-nature volunteering opportunities. Acting for nature could also boost productivity and innovation of your teams and strengthen brand and reputation of your business.
Uptake of NbS in the locality has proven to strengthen community cohesion and develop stronger place attachment through nature. As your engagement with NbS accelerates, you’d have an opportunity to build trusting partnership with NbS professionals and businesses in the locality and wider. In many ways, the uptake of NbS will set your business apart from your peers by strengthening green growth strategy of your business and by signalling to the prospective employees that your business delivers for Planet, People, Profit.
To support businesses with pro-nature activities, the University of Derby is delivering a business breakfast event on Driving Green Growth Opportunities in the East Midlands and EDGGE Forum Launch on 10th of December 8.30-11.30 at the Derby International Business School, The Cavendish Building, Room CB207, Agard Street, Derby, DE1 1DZ.
Visit the event webpage for more information and to register for this free event.
Associate Professor of Strategy & Sustainability,
University of Derby