During the I4N Dinner at the SDG Tent in January, 18 diverse tables engaged in dynamic discussions to generate actionable insights for advancing nature-positive solutions and sustainability initiatives. The resulting 18 calls-to-action reflect a broad spectrum of ideas, from fostering urgent action to promoting investment in innovative and regenerative enterprises.
The essence of these recommendations can be summarized in four key areas:
Embrace collaboration: Businesses must see themselves as part of a broader ecosystem and build public-private-philanthropic partnerships.
Take sector-specific action: Phase out unsustainable practices, while scaling innovative, regenerative solutions in your sector.
Standardize & increase transparency: Develop clear metrics, enhance data accessibility, and strengthen accountability to embed sustainability into business practices.
Invest in nature-positive solutions: Prioritize funding for regenerative entrepreneurs and initiatives that value nature’s true worth.
Read up on all CTAs in more detail:
Table 2: Measuring & monitoring
Stay optimistic despite challenges, align incentives among stakeholders, and be open to learning from different perspectives.
Table 11: Renaturation of ecosystems
Recognise that businesses are already part of ecosystems and must integrate this perspective into their operations and strategies.
Table 17: Nature-positive solution
Remain optimistic because hope is very important for action. Inspire and educate the next generation early. Act with intergenerational mindset now.
Table 18: Nature-positive solution
Engage those outside of or resistant to sustainability efforts through conversation, mentorship and education, and adopt a long-term perspective.
Table 4: Agri-Food – cultivating sustainable value chains
Focus on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by improving water access, addressing agricultural challenges, and developing multiple responses, while staying open to innovation (e.g. alternative proteins).
Table 5: Future-proofing food
Future-proof food production through collaboration, full value chain transparency, financial incentives, and direct food-to-fork trading.
Table 10: Fashion forward
Reduce consumption through taxation, education and using more second-hand; regenerate the (circular) economy by making it more regenerative and nature-based; invest in nature-based material and move away from plastics.
Table 13: Packaging
Eliminate single-use plastic packaging by promoting sustainable alternatives and supporting startups that produce biodegradable packaging.
Table 1: Nature risks & opportunities
Businesses should use scientifically vetted, sector-specific frameworks and tools to assess risks and build business cases around sustainability.
Table 3: Targets for nature
Create a sense of urgency for nature restoration, akin to a “COVID-like moment,” to drive immediate action.
Table 9: Protecting our blue planet
Increase ocean exploration and data collection, as understanding our impact on marine ecosystems is key to protecting them – what gets measured, gets managed.
Table 14: Measuring impact
Develop a standardized, practical (not perfect, but good enough) set of metrics to measure the state of nature, ensuring comparability and credibility in environmental efforts.
Table 15: Transparency & accountability
Implement and share transparency and accountability standards across nature-related activities, increase data access, and encourage regulation.
Table 6: The future is fungi
Educate and promote fungal innovations (e.g., fungi for packaging, building materials, and soil regeneration) as key to a regenerative future.
Table 7: Natural climate solutions
Shift from awareness to action by scaling up local nature-based climate solutions and incorporating nature’s value into cost-benefit evaluations.
Table 8: Investing in nature
Invest in nature entrepreneurs, such as businesses repurposing invasive species into sustainable products, to scale biodiversity restoration efforts.
Table 12: Tech for nature
Establish a dedicated Nature Tech Center to connect entrepreneurs, local stewards, and investors to accelerate ethical and impactful tech solutions.
Table 16: Mangroves for people and planet
Accelerate the restoration and protection of 800,000 hectares of mangroves by supporting organizations dedicated to reforestation.
The calls-to-action demonstrate that yes, we have some work to do.
But, we can succeed if we work together.
At Innovate 4 Nature, we are creating an ecosystem of changemakers to help accelerate nature-positive solutions. Join us.
