Substantial investment needed for environment, says CLA

Investing in Natural Capital is a precursor to the CLA’s inaugural Rural Business Conference 2030: Unlocking Investment, Unlocking Potential on 6 December
Investing in Natural Capital is a precursor to the CLA’s inaugural Rural Business Conference 2030: Unlocking Investment, Unlocking Potential on 6 December

Landowners and farmers are perfectly placed to enhance the natural environment, providing better benefits for society, but at what cost and who should pay, asks CLA.

Making this case is the subject for rural businesses gathering to discuss opportunities for investing in natural capital up to 2030 and beyond today.

The CLA which represents landowners, farmers and other rural businesses is hosting Investing in Natural Capital, in partnership with Strutt & Parker.

The event will see delegates from across the sector, government and academia look to the future to develop ideas for unlocking potential investment opportunities in natural capital.

Natural capital means the elements of nature that provide direct and indirect value to people and consists of different natural assets such as woods, soils and rivers.

The CLA says properly managing these assets delivers benefits to everyone but landowners are often faced with a lack of options for how to adequately fund the right environmental measures.

'Assembled leading experts'

CLA Senior Policy Adviser Jonathan Baker said: "Enhancing our natural world is necessary and beneficial to all.

"However, it requires substantial investment and we need new business models that make environmental measures a strong businesses choice for farmers and other landowners.

"Our seminar is part of an ongoing process.

"We are looking to identify solutions that incentivise, recognise and reward land management activities that enhance our natural capital for the benefit of society.

"We have assembled leading experts from across business, academia and government and are optimistic about the progress that we can make together.”

Investing in Natural Capital is a precursor to the CLA’s inaugural Rural Business Conference 2030: Unlocking Investment, Unlocking Potential on 6 December.

New Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom will deliver a keynote speech and the conference will also feature unique insight from business leaders and rural investors into the future of the rural economy.