Biodiversity isn’t just an environmental issue — it’s also a social and financial issue. By considering “natural capital” — those elements of the natural environment that benefit people, the economy and society — companies and governments are better able to incorporate the value of nature into project planning and decision-making. Our natural capital approach helps clients uncover the true economic costs (externalities) of biodiversity loss and diminished ecosystem function, providing a better understanding of how to manage the associated risks, enhance value and increase resilience in a changing world.

The natural environment provides individuals, local communities and wider society with numerous “ecosystem services” and amenities — stormwater management, clean air and water, healthier ecosystems, access to outdoors. We provide clients with nature-based solutions for green infrastructure that support ecosystem function by integrating biodiversity into the fabric of the built environment, such as constructed wetlands, vegetated roofs, living shorelines and wildlife corridors. Nature-based solutions also help in sequestering carbon and achieving net zero commitments.

Our hands-on capabilities also extend into the field. We design approaches for restoring habitat integrity and improving the processes and function of degraded ecological systems, leading to long-term recovery and resilience. Species inventories, habitat mapping and monitoring, wildlife connectivity assessments and the integration of biodiversity into Environmental and Social Impact Assessments further supports habitat enhancement.

As global leaders at the forefront of biodiversity impact assessments, we have helped develop industry standards, metrics, guidelines and tools related to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).