NA 000 500 Agenda 2.0 INVESTERINGSPERSPECTIEF 2024 EN

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INVESTING IN NATURE PAYS OFF!

OPPORTUNITIES AND POSSIBILITIES FOR NATURE-INCLUSIVE INVESTING: THE STEPS WE CAN TAKE RIGHT NOW .

This document outlines an investment perspective for the Nature Inclusivity Agenda 2.0. It contains a summary of the Nature-Inclusive Investment Agenda, written in 2024 by research firms De Natuurverdubbelaars and Rebel on behalf of the Nature-Inclusive Programme Office. The full Nature-Inclusive Investment Agenda is available at www.collectiefnatuurinclusief.nl/investeringsagenda

NATURE INCLUSIVITY COLLECTIVE

The Nature Inclusivity Collective stands for a nature-inclusive society. But what does that mean? It means that we believe that nature, as the source of all life, should be at the heart of everything we do. That we value the power of natural processes as solutions to major societal challenges. Solutions that can restore the resilience of our soil, prevent rather than cure disease, and protect us from heat, drought and flooding. From meadows and farmyards to gardens and streets, from recreational areas to business parks and school buildings. For a healthy, safe and prosperous country.

The Nature Inclusivity Collective is an alliance of private parties and public authorities, of individuals and organisations, organised in 10 societal domains. Step by step, we are engaging, involving and activating stakeholders in society, as we aim to harness natural principles for smart social, economic and spatial decision-making. Most of our activities are domain-specific, with concrete actions and inspiring examples.

In this document, we set out our planned activities for the coming years. We identify potential starting points for achieving a nature-inclusive society and outline the investment perspective for the various domains, taking into account their interrelationships. To do so, we use the comprehensive Nature-Inclusive Investment Agenda we published in early 2024, which presents a rich palette of potential instruments and measures. These include investments in knowledge and innovation, in regulation and in the physical environment. If the investment agenda makes one thing clear, it is that investing in nature pays off. The benefits outweigh the costs, not only in the long term – across all domains – but also in the short term, in our everyday environment.

LEARNING TO INVEST

The Nature-Inclusive Investment Agenda, published in February 2024, outlines the societal benefits of nature while presenting a rich palette of instruments and measures to bring those benefits within reach, and to further enhance them 1 . This Nature-Inclusive Investment Perspective highlights key opportunities and possibilities for the 10 domains of the Nature Inclusivity Collective. It also provides tools to help all parties – public and private, financial and non-financial – take small steps as well as major leaps forward. This will focus our efforts as we implement the Nature Inclusivity Agenda 2.0.

Investing in nature inclusivity pays off, and the best results are achieved by acting quickly. With this investment perspective in mind, it is now mainly a matter of will and taking action.

1 https://www.collectiefnatuurinclusief.nl/investeringsagenda

1: INVESTING IN NATURE PAYS OFF

Taking action to integrate nature into our economy and society will bring benefits that far outweigh the current costs.

Nature is often seen as a drain on resources, but numerous studies show that it actually creates enormous value, including financial value. A term often used to refer to this value is ecosystem services1 . These may be products (e.g. drinking water), regulating services (e.g. crop pollination) or cultural services (e.g. recreational opportunities), or services that support these (e.g. nutrient cycling within an ecosystem). The global contribution of ecosystem services to our prosperity exceeds the value of the real economy2 . In Europe, 75% of all businesses rely heavily on at least one ecosystem service3 . For the Dutch economy, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) estimated the value of ecosystem services to be at least €869 billion in 2018 4 . The value of nature is so high that investing in it yields substantial returns, ranging from eight to 38 times the initial investment 5 .

A comprehensive analysis of the costs and benefits of nature inclusivity yields a feasible investment figure. Using an ambitious nature scenario, a recent interdepartmental policy study (IBO) on biodiversity arrived at a one-off investment of around €8 billion, plus a structural annual investment of around €600 million. 6 Given our annual GDP of €1,033 billion, these are very modest investments, especially in light of society’s dependence on nature and the physical risks that threaten the continuity of the Dutch economy. Moreover, much of this money can be made available by phasing out or redirecting existing financial flows from governments and market players that are currently having a negative impact on nature.

1 This description is based on Wageningen University & Research’s definition in its Ecosystem Services Report (2024).

2 Costanza et al. (2014). Changes in the global value of ecosystem services.

3 European Central Bank (2023). The economy and banks need nature to survive.

4 This amount relates to a limited set of ecosystem services, which have not yet been fully operationalised. In reality, the value is much higher. CBS & Wageningen University and Research (2021). Natuurlijk Kapitaalrekeningen Nederland 2013-2018.

5 European Commission (2022). Questions and Answers on Nature Restoration Law: restoring ecosystems for people, climate and planet.

6 IBO Biodiversiteit (2023). Snel GETTING STARTED!

COSTS AND BENEFITS

START-UP PHASE

STRUCTURAL PHASE

BENEFITS

We distinguish three stages in the development of nature inclusivity (see figure below).

In the start-up phase (up to and including 2026), we need to make an extra effort to explicitly integrate nature into our activities and drive innovation. Start-up investments will gradually decrease as more knowledge and experience is gained. The Netherlands is already benefiting from a nature-inclusive approach at this stage, but the long-term benefits are not yet sufficiently evident.

The further development phase (from 2026 onwards) includes efforts to move towards a situation where nature inclusivity is part of all financial flows and activities, for instance by switching from non-nature-inclusive techniques to so-called nature-based solutions in infrastructure, water management and industry. Investments to promote further development may add up during the turnaround phase – especially for sectors that currently have a significant negative impact on nature, as these

require a major transformation to achieve nature inclusivity. But once this work is done, there will be room for innovation, smart policies and new business models. The costs of adaptation will be offset by the damage that is prevented by embracing nature inclusivity. In this phase, the benefits of nature inclusivity will increase and become more apparent. The development and application of nature-based solutions will create jobs while strengthening the knowledge base of our economy as well as our international position. Investing in a nature-inclusive society pays off.

In the structural phase, nature inclusivity becomes ubiquitous and self-evident, setting a new norm. Once nature inclusivity has been normalised, the investments made to achieve it will yield a structural return. The structural phase could start as early as 2030 for some domains of the Nature Inclusivity Agenda, with the last domains following around 2050.

2: ACTING FAST: BETTER RESULTS AND LESS COSTLY

Time is of the essence. The sooner we achieve a nature-inclusive society, the sooner its benefits will come within reach. And the longer we wait, the higher the costs and the longer the road to recovery and improvement.

Starting the transition to nature inclusivity now will allow us to reap the rewards sooner, while society avoids unnecessary costs. Nature often offers cost-effective alternatives for tasks that are currently still handled one-dimensionally, such as nature-based solutions for water storage and treatment in nature reserves, the cooling effect of trees, and the nature-friendly flood protection provided by sand dunes. In many cases, nature-inclusive practices can also reduce the risk of harm to people and nature. Along the IJssel, Meuse and Waal rivers, the Room for the River programme has increased the value of nature and landscape quality, and improved flood safety. During the floods that hit Europe in 2021, Limburg suffered significantly less damage than similar areas in neighbouring countries, partly as a result of this programme.

Putting off nature-inclusive action often results in high costs further down the road, for instance as a result of (human-caused) wildfires, desiccation, and soil and water pollution. Globally, it is estimated that delaying nature-inclusive action will prove twice as costly as taking immediate action1 . Those who do not invest in nature and the environment in time will be presented with the bill later, as there may be issues around soil quality, nitrogen levels, water quality or hazardous substances, or a decline in the numbers of important insects and meadow birds, such as the black-tailed godwit, our iconic national bird.

Taking nature and biodiversity into account in financing and lending decisions is essential to ensure a sustainable economic system. This will prevent future costs by eliminating the need for recovery measures and avoiding damage caused by declining nature and water quality or economic impasses when norms and boundaries are exceeded, as we now see in spatial development. We can also harness nature to mitigate the effects of climate change and make society more resilient to the consequences of global warming and biodiversity loss.

1 Vivid Economics and Natural History Museum (2020). The Urgency of Biodiversity Action.

Despite the urgent need for action, there has been too little investment in nature and nature inclusivity in recent years, as policymakers seem to underestimate the actual costs and benefits. This is also true for the private sector, where nature is not yet sufficiently integrated into financial decision-making, which is often focused on the short term. There is still time to catch up, but this will require other kinds of investments.

3: FROM WILL TO ACTION

We have identified many concrete starting points and measures for creating a natureinclusive society.

There are countless places to start the nature-inclusive transition. For the physical domains (construction, infrastructure, water, agriculture, energy, leisure economy and business parks), the investment task is very concrete, and nature inclusivity can already be explicitly integrated. Examples include the construction, operation and renovation of infrastructure and wind farms, the greening of new and existing neighbourhoods, buildings and areas, sustainable water collection and nature-inclusive forms of agriculture. Many actions are already underway in these domains, and it is now a matter of scaling up and promoting the wider adoption of nature-inclusive solutions. In the non-physical domains (health, education and the financial sector), there is mainly a need for process investments to promote nature-inclusive thinking and action through targeted interventions. The relationship with nature is sometimes more indirect here, and characterised primarily by synergies, for instance between clean air, healthy food, exercise and health (both preventive and curative). The financial sector has an important role to play in facilitating investment in the other domains by providing capital and loans to finance nature-inclusive measures.

Across all domains, there is a need for more attention and awareness in order to achieve nature-inclusive thinking, action and investment. There is an urgent need for investment to develop knowledge and awareness, steer the market by providing a clear perspective for the future, and stimulate driving capacity and experimental space through stimulus funds. In addition, inspiration and innovation on the one hand, and regulation and standardisation on the other, would allow existing funding streams to be used in a more nature-inclusive way. Finally, it is important to phase out existing financial flows with a negative impact on nature and biodiversity. This not only reduces negative impacts, but also generates savings that can contribute to positive impacts.

As the domains are intertwined, an integrated approach will deliver added value. A good example of this is the Afsluitdijk, where synergy is created by combining challenges from the domains of water, infrastructure and energy – and even education and leisure economy. This is particularly relevant in spatial planning. Linkage opportunities can help finance and pay for nature: taking measures in conjunction can help avoid unnecessary costs and increase financial capacity, for example by stretching and combining budgets or attracting new funding.

Cooperation across domains and between public and private actors also fosters knowledge exchange around integrating nature inclusivity into financial flows and the development of financial instruments, which are needed to create financial links between costs and benefits. Nature-inclusive solutions have many different stakeholders, but the costs are often borne primarily by parties that will not see direct benefits. To ensure a more balanced dynamic, a mix of instruments is needed. The development of financial instruments requires recognisable and predictable policy framework conditions with consistent regulations and standards, as well as clear subsidy criteria and permit requirements. This requires effective cooperation and commitment within and across domains, with public and private parties understanding and respecting each other. Government leadership is often essential, as is the willingness of businesses, funders and civil society organisations to work together and look at the bigger picture.

NATURE INCLUSIVITY IN 10 DOMAINS

In line with the Nature Inclusivity Agenda 2.0, this investment perspective considers 10 domains: construction, infrastructure, health, agriculture, leisure economy, finance, water, energy, education and business parks. Below is a domain-by-domain breakdown of key investments and high-impact interventions that are feasible in the short term. Interventions may also be non-financial, such as regulation, standardisation and redirecting existing financial flows.

Domains can reinforce each other through substantive synergy and cooperation. In financial terms, this means there will be room for optimisation with nature inclusivity as a connecting element. Cooperation between domains can be made concrete and deliver added value by focusing on specific areas and projects.

For a more detailed overview of the starting points and investment perspectives, please refer to the full Nature-Inclusive Investment Agenda, which also elaborates and explains the ‘action lines’ for each domain.

CONSTRUCTION

INFRASTRUCTURE

FINANCIAL SECTOR

WATER

HEALTH

AGRICULTURE

LEISURE ECONOMY

ENERGY

EDUCTAION

BUSINESS PARKS

CONSTRUCTION

Arnaud Roelofz

The value of nature to our living and working environment is obvious. The presence of nature can make a living environment more pleasant and have a positive impact on health. Natural landscaping makes an area more resistant to subsidence, heat and flooding, reducing financial risk for property owners and raising property values. Through nature-inclusive design, construction, operation and management, the Dutch construction industry can make a major contribution to nature inclusivity. Meanwhile, governments and private investors have an important opportunity to make nature-inclusive investments in public spaces, improve the sustainability of real estate and design climate-resilient areas. Investors and mortgage lenders will be asked to provide transparency about their impact on biodiversity.

CONSTRUCTION

OPPORTUNITIES

• In the coming period, around 100,000 new homes will need to be added to the housing stock each year. This provides an excellent opportunity to develop nature-inclusive residential areas.

• The financial feasibility of nature-inclusive building plans and the business case can be strengthened by including natural values in valuation and financing.

• Municipalities can use nature-inclusive construction and design to ensure sustainable water management, liveability, health and recreation. This does not have to lead to any additional costs: much

CONSTRUCTION

GETTING STARTED

INCLUDING NATURAL VALUES IN PROPERTY VALUATION AND FINANCING

Embedding nature-inclusive values in valuation protocols makes it possible to fund investments. Three things are needed for this. First, there is a need for an objective method of assessing the nature inclusivity of real estate, for instance by awarding a rating, similar to the energy label. Second, the number of transactions involving nature-inclusive property must be increased, which could be done by providing a temporary financial incentive for nature-inclusive construction. Third, it is important to measure and monitor these transactions to show the relationship between nature inclusivity and property value.

OPTIMISING FOR QUALITY IN GREEN SPACE MANAGEMENT

The business case for public space management should no longer be based on the number of management activities, but rather on their ecological value, prioritising quality over quantity. The best strategy is to optimise for biodiversity. The services provided by nature, such as water collection, heat reduction and recreational opportunities can also be factored in. To achieve this, municipalities can change their tendering procedures for green space management to motivate providers to update their service offerings.

EMBEDDING NATURE-INCLUSIVE CONSTRUCTION IN AREA DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATIONS

Municipalities and the central government can play a crucial role by setting minimum requirements for nature-inclusive construction. The central government can include nature-inclusive measures and standards in the Building Code to level the playing field for builders and developers. A national nature points system for nature-inclusive construction could help municipalities assess the nature inclusivity of applications for landholdings. Introducing a nature-inclusive cost-benefit analysis will further promote nature-inclusive area development.

ENERGY

Windpark Krammer // Arnaud Roelofsz

Nature is a source of energy. By definition, energy sources that are replenished over a short cycle deliver the highest efficiency over time. Our goal as a society is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, which we aim to do by reducing our energy consumption and generating energy from sustainable sources. This means that fossil fuels will be phased out, while renewable energy projects – wind, solar, thermal, hydrogen and other technologies and associated infrastructure – will see significant growth. Given the amount of space they require, it is vital that new energy projects take nature inclusivity into account from the outset. This not only benefits nature, but also helps to avoid delays in the permit process.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Over the next few years, we will make significant investments in renewable energy. This opens up great opportunities to adopt a nature-inclusive approach, where energy yields and biodiversity go hand in hand, and there is no need for restoration later on.

• The benefits of nature are increasingly being recognised, as is its potential to offset the costs of additional measures during development and realisation. New techniques to avoid lower yields during operation will convince developers of the effectiveness of a nature-inclusive approach.

• By including nature-inclusivity standards in tendering procedures, nature can be more firmly embedded in contracts. Quality criteria will give developers a better understanding of how their projects can make a positive contribution to nature.

FOCUSING ON STRENGTHENING NATURE IN ENERGY PROJECTS

Integrating nature-inclusive aspects in the development and financing of energy projects is a top priority. In addition to maximising energy yields and limiting damage to the natural environment, sustainable energy projects also contribute to biodiversity. Laws and regulations, such as the Environment and Planning Act (which replaces the Nature Conservation Act and other legislation), and the introduction of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) have contributed to the progress that has been made in this area over the last several years. But market players can also support ongoing initiatives to make nature inclusivity practical and feasible, such as the NIEWHOL alliance and Ecocertified. Standardisation will help make nature inclusivity the norm for energy projects.

INTEGRATING NATURE REQUIREMENTS INTO AWARD CRITERIA

FINANCIAL SECTOR

Prins Hendrik Dijk on Texel // Arnaud Roelofz

Dutch financial institutions have provided at least €510 billion in funding to companies worldwide that are highly or very highly dependent on one or more ecosystem services1 . This means that a lack of nature inclusivity poses material risks for financial institutions – risks they are often insufficiently aware of. Adequate management of sustainability risks by financial institutions is important for financial stability and ensures that they can continue to fulfil their social role by financing the transition to a sustainable economy. The financial sector can also make a substantial contribution to this transition – and make a difference for nature – by financing nature-inclusive projects (financing green) and greening the financial sector as a whole (greening finance).

1 DNB & PBL (2020). Biodiversiteit en de FINANCIAL SECTOR: een kruisbestuiving? Verkenning van risico’s van biodiversiteitsverlies voor de Nederlandse FINANCIAL SECTOR.

OPPORTUNITIES

• The financial sector is becoming more and more aware of the financial implications of biodiversity risks, and numerous industry-led initiatives (PBAF, TNFD, Finance for Biodiversity)

GETTING STARTED

FACTORING BIODIVERSITY INTO INVESTMENT AND FINANCING DECISIONS

A nature-inclusive financial sector measures and reports on the impact and dependency of activities on biodiversity, and uses this data in its investment and financing decisions by including nature and biodiversity in risk models. This requires more experience in measuring the impact of biodiversity investments and financing, as well as a clear classification of projects in terms of sustainability and nature. Investors will have to start using exclusion criteria to phase out non-nature-inclusive activities. By setting clear long-term policies, the government can also influence which economic activities receive funding.

EXCHANGE OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE BETWEEN FINANCIAL SECTOR AND POLICYMAKERS

Laws and regulations are evolving, and in addition to the progress being made on climate change mitigation, biodiversity and nature policy are also coming into sharper focus. Prompted in part by the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the EU Green Deal, European and national legislation and instruments are being introduced (such as the CSRD and the Green Taxonomy) that set clear definitions and represent a major step forward in climate change and biodiversity accountability. It is now up to the financial sector to provide policymakers with the brainpower, knowledge and expertise to develop and implement a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and an underlying National Biodiversity Financing Plan. With a clear vision, well-defined targets and instruments that influence public financial flows (such as taxes, charges, subsidies), the government can provide the right level of policy predictability to enable the financial sector to finance the society-wide transition to nature inclusivity.

DEVELOPMENT OF NEW FINANCIAL PRODUCTS AND INSTRUMENTS

The financial sector needs to explore different ways to finance and accelerate greening efforts, for example in the area of nature-based solutions, which tend to be more cost-effective than ‘grey’ solutions. Financial institutions can seize opportunities by developing new, fit-for-purpose financial products and instruments, allowing other domains to finance the investments they will need to make as part of the transition to nature inclusivity. In doing so, the sector can investigate whether existing instruments – such as public-private partnerships and blended finance – can be used for new purposes.

HEALTH

De Groene GGZ

Investing in nature means investing in health and wellbeing. A natural green-blue landscape has a healing effect, providing an additional reason to actively invest in the restoration and healing of nature itself. The healthcare system is currently under considerable pressure. Population ageing – driven by a growing elderly population and increasing average life expectancy – and growing mental health problems threaten to make healthcare unaffordable. A future-proof health sector would be based on reciprocity, with nature contributing to our wellbeing and humans contributing to a vital natural landscape. The health domain is currently working on a transi tion – to be completed by 2030 – in which 0.1% of the annual healthcare budget is allocated to a ‘Healthy Green Return on Investment’ in or der to create a nature-inclusive healthcare sys tem in which reciprocity is key. Eventually, this transition budget will pay for itself, as investing in nature has a positive impact on our physical and mental health, contributing to lower longterm health costs. A 5% improvement in mental health, for example, could save up to €144 mil lion1 . The curative and preventive use of nature for health and healthcare will also reduce pres sure on healthcare personnel and lead to shorter waiting lists.

RIVM (2022). Healthswinst en kostenbesparing bij verbeteren mentale health.

OPPORTUNITIES

GETTING STARTED

HEALTHY GREEN SPACES AND NEIGHBOURHOODS AS HEALING ENVIRONMENTS

We can start creating healthy living and working environments that provide more space for nature. The grounds of healthcare facilities can be made more biodiverse and healthy. Knowledge and experience in this area are already being gained through the successful Green Mental Healthcare initiative, in which the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport is also involved. Nature-inclusive health can also be better integrated into residential environments, focusing on vulnerable neighbourhoods and reducing health disparities. Municipalities can contribute to this with funding made available under the Healthy and Active Living Agreement (GALA). The inclusion of green spaces in working environments, promoted by Outdoor Office Days, will boost the vitality of the working population and help prevent absenteeism.

A BUSINESS CASE FOCUSED ON PREVENTIVE, INTEGRATED AND CROSS-SECTORAL HEALTH

Nature can provide an attractive environment for healthy lifestyles, contributing to physical and mental health and disease prevention. Prevention, including through sport and exercise, is increasingly recognised as a way to improve health and manage healthcare demand. This requires a shift to a different business case, from curative to positive health. Collaborations between health insurers, green land management organisations and care providers are needed to develop innovative shared business cases that are healthier, greener, cheaper and more effective. This could include the use of nature in primary care (Nature on Prescription) or to help people – especially young people – who are stranded on the side of the social highway (Green Escape initiative). With the use of stimulus funds, the government can encourage these types of integrated, cross-sectoral pilot projects.

FROM LACK OF AWARENESS TO GREEN, HEALTHY AWARENESS

Numerous studies have shown the societal value of a healthy and green living environment. Additional applied research will further substantiate the health and financial benefits of nature inclusivity as it is further integrated into healthcare, neighbourhood development and everyday life. Knowledge sharing will lead to greater awareness of the impact of nature on health. The government can further raise awareness by helping to scale up existing initiatives and networks, such as Nature on Prescription, Green Mental Healthcare and Healthy Green Circles. Health insurers, care providers and civil society organisations can join these projects and put their insights into practice.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Arnaud Roelofz

The infrastructure sector, which connects traffic and transport flows, can make an important contribution by including nature in these connections. In the past, infrastructure construction has caused fragmentation of nature and loss of biodiversity. We can undo this damage when we build new infrastructure by restoring green and blue connections and taking into account sustainability, for instance by creating nature-friendly roadsides throughout the Netherlands. This requires us to consider nature objectives when allocating budgets for infrastructure development, construction, management and maintenance, so that infrastructure can become the primary link between all life in our country and the foundation of our new nature-inclusive society. The construction of nature-inclusive and climate-resilient infrastructure will also lead to shorter permit processes, increase public support and contribute to an attractive landscape.

INFRASTRUCTURE

OPPORTUNITIES

• There is increasing attention for ecological design and infrastructure management. The huge investments needed over the next few years to facilitate the energy transition, digitalisation and the maintenance and construction of roads and rail links provide opportunities to consolidate this trend.

• While nature inclusivity is already being integrated into some infrastructure projects (e.g. those related to our energy infrastructure), it is not yet structurally included in tenders and project descriptions. Nevertheless, there are good examples of recent projects (such as ViA15) where nature inclusivity was a key factor in the awarding process. These are examples that can be followed and scaled up structurally.

GETTING STARTED

NATURE-INCLUSIVE COMMISSIONING

As a client, the government has a strong position and can promote nature inclusivity by requiring and rewarding it in tendering procedures. It should define basic standards for nature quality and promote higher levels of nature inclusivity (from ‘do no harm’ to ‘nature-positive’). Nature-inclusive choices should be seen as necessary for management and maintenance, rather than as additional or complementary, setting a new norm.

BUILDING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE EXPERTISE

Invest in developing and sharing expertise around nature-inclusive infrastructure measures, their costs and benefits, and linking opportunities. Steps are already being taken in this regard, and it is vital to continue these public-private initiatives (such as Green Nets, the Flora Programme, Infra & Fauna and the Delta Plan for Biodiversity Restoration). Infrastructure companies have a responsibility to explore potential product-market combinations between nature, climate adaptation, accessibility and road safety, as these would allow simultaneous and cost-effective investment in infrastructure and nature. As monitoring and evaluation are necessary to determine the effectiveness of nature-inclusive measures, it is important to ensure the synchronisation and availability of monitoring systems.

ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT AND DESIGN

Provide tools for nature-inclusive infrastructure development and management. Formulate SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Acceptable, Realistic and Time-bound) and earmark a fixed percentage of project budgets for nature inclusivity so that nature-inclusive management and design are normalised. By using nature-based solutions in project management and design, network operators, telecom companies and public parties can mitigate climate risks such as heat stress, flooding and roadside fires. Area-based and structural cooperation between public authorities, land management organisations and nature conservation organisations is important to explore the natural potential of areas and set up joint infranature icon projects. This offers opportunities to increase cost efficiency while combining the strengths of all the parties involved. Reallocating existing funds can free up resources for ecological design and management.

AGRICULTURE

The financial challenges faced by farmers and the ecological pressure caused by agriculture show that the current farming system is reaching its limits, necessitating a joint search for a new perspective. Investing in nature-inclusive agriculture means investing in healthy soil, healthy food and a healthy living environment, and in sustainable agriculture for generations to come. With a fully developed business case, nature-inclusive agriculture can contribute to solving key societal challenges in the areas of biodiversity, water, nitrogen and climate.

AGRICULTURE

OPPORTUNITIES

• More and more farmers are making the switch to nature inclusivity. This provides an opportunity to learn from pioneers, and to scale up their initiatives by rolling them out across the Netherlands.

• The coalition agreement of the government that took office in 2024 provides for a substantial additional budget for agricultural nature management. This presents an opportunity for more farmers to participate while receiving fair compensation.

• Many farmers want to become more nature inclusive, and ensuring access to practical knowledge and independent advice could help many of them take the next step.

• Industry is increasingly recognising the value of ecosystem services and actively investing in rewarding farmers who provide them. This offers an opportunity to further strengthen and scale up nature-inclusive agriculture.

AGRICULTURE

GETTING STARTED

INVESTING IN REGIONAL AND PRACTICAL EXPERTISE

Public authorities can contribute by expanding the existing regional and practical knowledge infrastructure for nature-inclusive agriculture and setting up additional knowledge networks. Promoting effective ‘farmer-to-farmer’ learning can accelerate the wider adoption of practices developed by pioneers.

SCALING UP AGRICULTURAL NATURE MANAGEMENT AND SETTING UP A PAYMENT SCHEME FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

The structural increase in the budget for agricultural nature management will allow more farmers to get involved. It is important to use this budget to make long-term agreements with farmers and pay them a market-based fee for their contributions to nature. In addition, public authorities can play an important role in establishing a payment scheme for ecosystem services to further strengthen the agricultural business case. By ensuring that the production of ‘nature’ is as lucrative as the production of crops, meat and milk, the main barriers to nature-inclusive entrepreneurship can be removed.

STIMULATING DEMAND FOR NATURE-INCLUSIVE FARMING

The business case for nature-inclusive agriculture can be improved by joining forces with other domains, such as construction, water, healthcare and the financial sector, and by stimulating demand for nature-inclusive products. Healthcare facilities, for example, benefit from healthy food production, and the retail sector can encourage and reward nature-inclusive farming. Public authorities can also play an active role, for example by introducing nature-inclusive procurement procedures.

EDUCATION

Kindcentrum De Vlinder, Rotterdam // Alexis Camejo

Nature-inclusive education will enable us to develop solutions to the major societal challenges we face today. Moreover, a nature-inclusive educational environment benefits the mental and physical wellbeing of pupils, students and teachers, providing opportunities to relax while enhancing socioemotional development and cognitive performance.

OPPORTUNITIES

• More and more sectors and companies feel the need to report on their social and climate impacts, prompted in part by new European directives. This means that there is a growing demand for professionals with nature expertise who can contribute to the transition to a natureinclusive, sustainable society.

• Curricula are being developed for different levels of education. As schools, civil society organisations and the business community recognise the importance of sustainability and nature inclusivity, support for nature-inclusive education is growing.

• The government is committed to protecting and strengthening freedom of education. This creates space for the professional autonomy of schools, educational institutions and teachers, allowing them to develop a specific vision of nature and sustainability that is appropriate to the identity, people and context of the educational organisation.

GETTING STARTED

Through five action lines, we are facilitating and strengthening the nature-inclusivity movement in education, including by enabling communication and setting up meetings.

This aligns with the Sustainability in Education Implementation Plan , which is being used by several ministries. We are working with the interdepartmental Sustainable School working group to imple ment the action lines.

TRANSFORMING EDUCATION

The education system can be transformed by inspiring teachers, schools and educational institutions to find answers to the questions of what nature-inclusive education can be and how nature inclusivity can enrich education.

EDUCATION

NATURE-INCLUSIVE CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION

We want to encourage a broad view of citizenship education that includes learning to relate to the natural environment. We will do this by inviting and equipping young people to promote nature inclusivity at their school or institution through youth leadership and youth participation in education, for example by setting up eco teams and green offices.

NATURE-INCLUSIVE

LEISURE ECONOMY

Sabrina Gaudio

1 CBS-cijfers over 2023

2 CBS & Wageningen University and Research (2021). Natuurlijk Kapitaalrekeningen Nederland 2013-2018.

Nature is at the heart of a thriving leisure economy, a sector worth €105 billion a year that employs 449,000 FTEs1 . Recreational activities often take place in natural surroundings, and there is a renewed appreciation of nature. CBS’s Natural Capital Accounts show that nature recreation and nature tourism together contribute around €13 billion to the Dutch economy2 . Tomorrow’s leisure sector will develop without disturbing the balance of the living environment, respecting nature’s carrying capacity as it shifts from maximisation to optimisation. There is potential to use new areas for nature-inclusive recreation, which would relieve pressure on existing natural areas while strengthening the sector. Not only does nature contribute to a thriving leisure economy, but it also benefits the health and wellbeing of all those who use it for recreation. 1 2

OPPORTUNITIES

• There is growing interest in domestic leisure and tourism. Outdoor activities are becoming increasingly popular, and there is an upward trend in the number of tourists who value nature at their destination. This offers economic opportunities for nature inclusivity in the Netherlands.

• There is a huge amount of land to be greened in the leisure sector, providing an opportunity to make more than 100,000 hectares of campsites, sports grounds and recreational areas nature-inclusive. Together, these areas cover about 3% of the Netherlands. Ecological management and maintenance of recreational areas would be a major boost to biodiversity. lenges. There are opportunities to get involved in projects and programmes linking recreation to

GETTING STARTED

MORE SPACE FOR RECREATION

The amount of green space available per citizen has fallen by 80% since 1900 1 . To maintain an attractive living environment as the population continues to grow, more recreational space is needed, also to relieve pressure on existing natural areas. The Nature Inclusivity Agenda 2.0 aims to create an additional 63,000 hectares of recreational green space. Existing budgets are insufficient to achieve this objective. It is therefore necessary to link up with other programmes, for example in the area of nature-inclusive healthcare, and to seek alignment with area processes in rural areas. Recreation has not yet been incorporated into these processes as a fully fledged theme. There are also linkage opportunities with government programmes aimed at strengthening the cultural landscape and heritage. Public authorities can use transition and innovation budgets to roll out pilots and test regional public-private business cases, for example linking agriculture and recreation. In addition, the introduction of a green standard and a mandatory contribution for housing developments could provide more structural funding. This can be initiated by municipalities or organised nationwide.

NATURE-INCLUSIVE

RECREATIONAL AREAS

There is a major opportunity to green the Netherlands by redesigning all recreational areas and introducing ecological management and maintenance practices. For the owners of these areas, it is important that nature inclusivity is integrated into the policies of leisure businesses, and that progress is made in terms of nature-inclusive construction and area greening. Nature-inclusive management and maintenance requires a sector-wide approach. Through cooperation with the green sector, a standard can be developed with clear frameworks and preconditions for ecological management, making it possible to achieve real results with limited resources.

NATURE-INCLUSIVE

BEHAVIOUR

The leisure sector can ask visitors to contribute to the conservation and enhancement of nature. There is also an opportunity to promote sustainable behaviour and a conscious attitude towards nature through nature education, campaigns and communication. In addition to experiencing nature, visitors can learn about its vulnerability. Research has the potential to help change behaviour and encourage recreationists to contribute, for example through volunteering, paid parking and access fees, or vignettes for the use of specific facilities, such as mountain biking or horse riding trails.

1 CLO (2023). RUIMTE PER INWONER, 1900-2017

WATER

Foto: ANP / Marco van Middelkoop

We are facing major challenges related to water, from floods and droughts to pollution. The need to address these challenges is made more urgent by climate change. Sea level rise, for instance, is putting additional pressure on coastlines, increasing the risk of salinisation of drinking water sources, agricultural land and natural areas. More intense rainfall is causing economic and social damage, and droughts are reducing the availability of fresh drinking water. Meanwhile, the cost of water management is rising. It is time to tackle these issues using a nature-inclusive approach, with nature as our ally. Whereas traditional civil engineering solutions do not provide sufficient capacity to prevent flooding and water damage, nature-inclusive measures offer fully fledged, effective and affordable alternatives.

WATER

OPPORTUNITIES

• Climate change and other developments will lead to significant public and private investment. The return on these investments can be maximised by starting the transition to nature inclusivity now, using nature-based solutions and focusing on biodiversity restoration.

• There is strong support for nature inclusivity. This is reflected in the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), the national plans under the EU Nature Restoration Law, the yet-to-be-drafted National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the policy principle of letting water and soil guide the Netherlands’ spatial planning, and all the necessary climate adaptation measures being taken.

• Globally, there is a growing body of knowledge and calculation methods that can be used to identify opportunities and risks, making it easier to weigh up the costs and benefits.

WATER

GETTING STARTED

FOCUS ON NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS

We must increase the proportion of nature-based solutions in the management of Dutch waters, and there should be a greater focus on these solutions in innovation and knowledge development within the water domain. The central government, water boards and drinking water companies need to make this a structural part of investment in new water infrastructure (such as flood protection), and integrate it into the management and maintenance of existing infrastructure. This will increase water safety, improve water quality and lead to greater availability of fresh water, while also benefiting recreation and nature.

INCREASING UNDERSTANDING OF COSTS AND BENEFITS OF NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS

More insight is needed into the application of nature-based solutions in construction and management, and in assessing the financial value of natural capital. This will make it easier to compare a nature-inclusive approach with conventional technical solutions. Real-world icon projects provide valuable lessons for wider application.

Business parks are often designed from a functional perspective. The high degree of paving creates a number of challenges, including heat stress, flooding, air pollution and limited quality space for cyclists and pedestrians, reducing the attractiveness of the Netherlands to businesses and workers. To address this, a movement has been started to prepare business parks for the future by transforming them into green, healthy and climate-resilient working environments. This ensures that property owners can count on local support and stable property values, as there is less risk of damage from extreme weather, and employees are healthier and more productive

OPPORTUNITIES

• There is a great opportunity to make business parks – which account for about 2.5% of Dutch land use – more nature inclusive. Business parks are usually located between urban centres and rural areas, or within city limits. They often play an important role in their local ecosystem while being highly visible locations for people.

• Although the business case for greening business parks often does not offer immediate positive effects for individual entrepreneurs and owners, investing in sustainability can be very rewarding when done collectively by all stakeholders. If everyone contributes, a more attractive environment can be created, leading to a significant increase in property values. At the same time, greening can help mitigate the effects of climate change and optimise the use of space. Investing in sustainability together offers economies of scale and makes it possible to create smart connections, with the right measures in the right place.

• For existing business parks, it is usually cost-effective to implement greening measures in combination with planned maintenance, renovations and replacements. This allows for the gradual introduction of nature inclusivity over time.

GETTING STARTED

UNDERSTANDING THE URGENCY AND BENEFITS OF NATURE INCLUSIVITY

First, we need to communicate the urgency of greening business parks and ensure that private parties understand the benefits of nature. A better understanding of these benefits – and the beneficiaries –will bring the right parties to the table and help start a conversation about goals, collaboration and, ultimately, funding. It is important to adopt an integrated approach in which the greening of new and existing business parks is linked to other interventions, such as renovations, mobility, energy, health and climate adaptions, and green-blue veining.

SHARING INSIGHTS AND CONNECTING NATIONAL NETWORKS

Scale can be achieved by encouraging collaboration between various stakeholders and sharing knowledge and experiences at national level. This can be done through programmes such as Space for the Economy (EZK), Climate-Proof Together (I&W and BZK), Working Environments of the Future (Groeifonds coalition, with BZK) and the acceleration programme to make business parks more sustainable (BZK). Linking national networks can help communicate the urgency of greening business parks and promote knowledge sharing.

USING EFFECTIVE INSTRUMENTS FOR JOINT INVESTMENTS

As both the government and business park users benefit from greening, which creates a more attractive business climate and contributes to climate adaptation, it is their responsibility to fund these efforts. It is therefore key to push for a collective approach and joint investments to achieve economies of scale and optimisation. Finally, it might help if the government were to set standards, for example with regard to the size and quality of green spaces, double land use in the evening or, as in France, mandating green facades and roofs.

COLOPHON

November 2024

This Nature-Inclusive Investment Perspective is a publication of the Nature-Inclusive Programme Office. It contains a summary of the Nature-Inclusive Investment Agenda, written in 2024 by research firms De Natuurverdubbelaars and Rebel on behalf of the programme office. The investment agenda has been adopted by the National Nature Inclusivity Forum (NiNO) and sent to all parties who previously received the Nature Inclusivity Agenda 2.0 from the Ambassador for Nature Inclusivity.

The Nature-Inclusive Programme Office supports the public-private partnership of the Nature Inclusivity Collective and acts as a promoter, coordinator and facilitator of the Nature Inclusivity Agenda 2.0.

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Nature-Inclusive Programme Office

Nature Inclusivity Collective domain coordinators

De Natuurverdubbelaars

Rebel

Layout and design

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With thanks to everyone who contributed to this document. www.collectiefnatuurinclusief.nl

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