The nature-positive ecosystem

A practical guide to major initiatives focused on protecting and restoring nature

The nature-positive ecosystem

A practical guide to mapping the major initiatives and their intended use

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The nature-positive ecosystem map in action

Discover our on-the-ground approach to navigating the resources of the nature-positive ecosystem. 

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Nature action is essential—and complicated

That’s why we’ve worked with our long-term partners in sustainability at the Delphi Group to map the landscape of opportunities for nature action.

 

     

The logos of Manulife Investment Management, and of the Delphi Group.

The nature-positive agenda

Nature positive means halting and reversing the loss of nature at a planetary level. By 2030, the global goal for nature is to have regenerated and preserved our natural environment through improvements in the health, abundance, diversity, and resilience of species, populations, and ecosystems.¹

Mapping the landscape of nature initiatives

Companies looking to commit to the nature-positive agenda can find it challenging to approach the multiple tools available to support action. Our nature-positive ecosystem aims to improve the structure, standardization, and coherence of the initiatives available to help businesses best direct their response toward nature positive.

Centered around four organizing stages, the nature-positive ecosystem map builds on WBCSD’s nature-positive building blocks, the Science Based Targets for Nature Initiative’s Initial Guidance for Business, and Business for Nature’s steps for becoming nature positive. Our breakdown provides a more complete picture of the elements that support their respective steps and blocks to provide a single source for the tools that support this analysis. 

A map of the nature-positive ecosystem showing the steps and blocks available to businesses as they commit, collaborate, assess and act, and disclose their nature-positive activities.
A map of the Nature-Positive Ecosystem showing the steps and blocks available to businesses as they commit, collaborate, assess and act, and disclose their nature-positive activities.
A map of the Nature-Positive Ecosystem showing the steps and blocks available to businesses as they commit, collaborate, assess and act, and disclose their nature-positive activities.
A map of the Nature-Positive Ecosystem showing the steps and blocks available to businesses as they commit, collaborate, assess and act, and disclose their nature-positive activities.
A map of the Nature-Positive Ecosystem showing the steps and blocks available to businesses as they commit, collaborate, assess and act, and disclose their nature-positive activities.

Commit

This segment contains initiatives that help businesses set targets for halting and reversing nature loss.

Collaborate

This loop contains initiatives that provide businesses with partnership, networking, and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

Assess and act

This loop supports organizations in evaluating their relationship with nature. 

Disclose

The elements in this stage support businesses in reporting nature-related financial risks. 

How companies can act

It’s possible for a company to commit, collaborate, assess, and disclose its impacts and dependencies on nature—and do nothing to protect or preserve it. Ultimately, we need action. We need to apply the mitigation hierarchy within and beyond corporate operations to reduce pressures and make positive contributions.³

Avoid

Companies should take action by first avoiding impacts on nature. 

Reduce

Where prevention isn't possible, companies should minimize their impact.

Restore

Companies should take action to restore affected ecosystems to their pre-affected state.

Regenerate

The affected ecosystems are then encouraged and enabled to regenerate themselves.

Transform

Companies must contribute to systemwide change.

Our related resources

Our statement on nature

As part of our commitment to helping our clients achieve their objectives and build resilient portfolios, we're committed to positively affecting nature and biodiversity through our business and investment activities.

Read our nature statement

Our sustainability policies and disclosures

We maintain sustainability policies and practices. We do this to help ensure that our clients and stakeholders have clear and relevant information about our sustainability strategy and activity.

Learn more

Our impact: sustainable investing case studies

We believe active ownership practices are at the center of good stewardship, helping drive strong risk-adjusted investment return potential for our clients while we seek to make a positive impact on the environment and society.

Explore our case studies

Related viewpoints

Investing in nature: measuring what matters

How do we measure—meaningfully—the positive or negative impact of timberland and farmland assets on their local environments and communities?
Read more

Valuing biodiversity: the tools at our disposal

We discuss an investor’s perspective of the current tools, incentives, and initiatives available to value biodiversity.
Read more

Stewardship and sustainability performance

As a global asset manager, we’re mindful of our obligations to endeavor to manage the sustainability challenges that we face. In our view, strong stewardship practices are key to building more resilient portfolios and creating long-term value.
Read more
Important disclosures

While the Delphi Group (Delphi) is a co-author of this material and serves as a collaborator with respect to the mapping of the nature-positive ecosystem, the information provided is not intended to serve as an endorsement or recommendation by Delphi of the advisory services provided by Manulife.

It should not be assumed that any ESG initiatives, standards, or metrics described herein will apply to each asset in which Manulife invests or that any ESG initiatives, standards, or metrics described have applied to any individual prior investment of Manulife. Not all strategies or investments will align with the nature-positive ecosystem described herein and there is no guarantee that any initiatives or anticipated developments described herein will ultimately be successful or achieve anticipated outcomes. ESG is only one of many considerations that Manulife takes into account when making investment decisions, and other considerations can be expected in certain circumstances to outweigh ESG considerations. Any ESG initiatives described will be implemented with respect to a portfolio investment solely to the extent Manulife determines such initiative is consistent with its broader investment goals. There is no guarantee that the evaluation of ESG characteristics will be additive to a strategy's performance. ESG is not a uniformly-defined characteristic and information used to evaluate ESG characteristics may not be readily available, complete, or accurate, and may vary across providers and issuers.  Because of the subjective nature of ESG integration, there can be no guarantee that ESG factors considered will reflect the beliefs or values of any particular client.

The Delphi Group is a pioneer in sustainability and climate consulting, providing services and solutions to corporations and public sector organizations for over 30 years. As a recognized leader in climate change, corporate sustainability, green and circular economy, innovation and cleantech, and net-zero services, Delphi helps organizations transform how they generate value while balancing environmental, social and economic priorities. A registered BCorp, Delphi is part of a collective of organizations that includes GLOBE Series, CBSR and Leading Change Canada. Together we are focused on achieving our vision: to achieve a more sustainable, prosperous, and socially just future in a generation. Additional information about The Delphi Group may be found at www.delphi.ca

A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange-trading suspensions and closures, and affect portfolio performance. For example, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. The impact of a health crisis and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could affect the global economy in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. A health crisis may exacerbate other preexisting political, social, and economic risks. Any such impact could adversely affect the portfolio’s performance, resulting in losses to your investment.

Investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Financial markets are volatile and can fluctuate significantly in response to company, industry, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments. These risks are magnified for investments made in emerging markets. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the value of a portfolio’s investments.

The information provided does not take into account the suitability, investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs of any specific person. You should consider the suitability of any type of investment for your circumstances and, if necessary, seek professional advice. This material is intended for the exclusive use of recipients in jurisdictions who are allowed to receive the material under their applicable law. The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and are subject to change without notice. Our investment teams may hold different views and make different investment decisions. These opinions may not necessarily reflect the views of Manulife Investment Management or its affiliates. The information and/or analysis contained in this material has been compiled or arrived at from sources believed to be reliable, but Manulife Investment Management does not make any representation as to their accuracy, correctness, usefulness, or completeness and does not accept liability for any loss arising from the use of the information and/or analysis contained. The information in this material may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events, targets, management discipline, or other expectations, and is only current as of the date indicated. The information in this document, including statements concerning financial market trends, are based on current market conditions, which will fluctuate and may be superseded by subsequent market events or for other reasons. Manulife Investment Management disclaims any responsibility to update such information.Neither Manulife Investment Management or its affiliates, nor any of their directors, officers or employees shall assume any liability or responsibility for any direct or indirect loss or damage or any other consequence of any person acting or not acting in reliance on the information contained here. All overviews and commentary are intended to be general in nature and for current interest. While helpful, these overviews are no substitute for professional tax, investment or legal advice. Clients should seek professional advice for their particular situation. Neither Manulife, Manulife Investment Management, nor any of their affiliates or representatives is providing tax, investment or legal advice.  This material was prepared solely for informational purposes, does not constitute a recommendation, professional advice, an offer or an invitation by or on behalf of Manulife Investment Management to any person to buy or sell any security or adopt any investment strategy, and is no indication of trading intent in any fund or account managed by Manulife Investment Management. No investment strategy or risk management technique can guarantee returns or eliminate risk in any market environment. Diversification or asset allocation does not guarantee a profit or protect against the risk of loss in any market. Unless otherwise specified, all data is sourced from Manulife Investment Management. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

Manulife Investment Management

Manulife Investment Management is the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation. We draw on more than a century of financial stewardship to partner with clients across our institutional, retail, and retirement businesses globally. Our specialist approach to money management includes the highly differentiated strategies of our fixed-income, specialized equity, multi-asset solutions, and private markets teams—along with access to specialized, unaffiliated asset managers from around the world through our multimanager model.This material has not been reviewed by, is not registered with any securities or other regulatory authority, and may, where appropriate, be distributed by the following Manulife entities in their respective jurisdictions. Additional information about Manulife Investment Management may be found at manulifeim.com/institutional

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