INTRODUCING

in tools and processes that can quickly assess stocks and flows of natural capital. For example, by creating dedicated metrics and by including functional and ethical values in the calculation of their economic performance. To achieve this, it requires specialists in modelling, Big Data and IT who can create user-friendly tools that take account of biological diversity or of the company s economic responsibility for ecosystems.

How can this paradigm shift be encouraged, and what are the main obstacles you have encountered so far? I started working on this subject about 10 years ago with a Norwegian oil company. The company wanted a tool to remotely measure the potential ecological risks on its sites. The engineers could assess the geology, the hydrography, the electricity supply, etc., but they didn t take into account the ecological value. This was particularly true outside protected areas, which cover just 13% of the Earth s surface. Since then, we have developed a tool that works the world over to enable companies to calculate ecological risk of their area (https://www.left.ox.ac.uk) and another that models natural capital value (NaturEtrade.net).

Man with numerous socio-cultural services, in the recreational or aesthetic spheres, for example.

Consequently, by protecting and increasing the assets of this natural capital, businesses can create a form of reciprocity between business and biodiversity.

Why and how does this approach create interdependency between economic activity and biodiversity?

There are many examples of how valuing biodiversity in this way improves the economic development of businesses. Mars Inc. in particular is studying the impact of its activities on biodiversity, from the amount of water extracted to the resources used to manufacture its packaging. Aiming to reduce the impacts of its production processes on natural resources, this company managed to improve the biodiversity around its sites while reducing its operating costs. It is a win-win relationship. And a few others have bravely gone one step further by including the assets of this natural capital in their main accounts. Very few companies do this but I hope others will follow. This requires a real paradigm shift, with a need for proper investment

There are many examples of how valuing biodiversity in this way improves the economic development of businesses.

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