The term “Nature Positive” is gaining attention worldwide. Focused on halting biodiversity loss and restoring natural ecosystems, this concept represents a new framework to address global challenges. This article explores the background and significance of Nature Positive.
Restoring Nature’s Trajectory: The Core Concept of Nature Positive
Nature Positive refers to actions that aim to reverse the current “negative” trajectory of biodiversity loss and place nature on a path toward recovery. This involves protecting and restoring ecosystems such as forests, oceans, and freshwater bodies while utilizing natural capital sustainably.
Highlighted at events like the 2022 COP15 (the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity) and the G7 Nature Pact, the concept has become a global priority. In Japan, the National Biodiversity Strategy 2023-2030, approved in March 2023, sets the ambitious goal of achieving Nature Positive by 2030.
Why Is Nature Positive Crucial Now?
The planet faces critical challenges, including climate change and the destruction of natural capital. According to IPBES, human activities have driven ecosystems to their most precarious state in the last 100,000 years, jeopardizing the sustainability of economies dependent on natural resources.
A report from the World Economic Forum indicates that over half of the global GDP ($44 trillion) is at risk due to nature loss. However, transitioning to a Nature Positive economy could create 395 million jobs and generate $10.1 trillion in annual business opportunities.
Efforts Toward Achieving Nature Positive
Achieving Nature Positive requires collaboration across various stakeholders. Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has launched initiatives like the 2030 Biodiversity Framework Japan Conference (J-GBF), urging businesses, local governments, and NGOs to make “Nature Positive Declarations.” To further public engagement, a mascot named “Daidara Posy” has been introduced.
Additionally, the TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) framework is gaining attention. It categorizes nature impacts into drivers such as climate change, land-use changes, and pollution, aiming to quantify and address these challenges systematically.
Nature Positive represents not just environmental restoration but also economic opportunity, promising a future where nature and humanity thrive together.