The nature positive agenda requires transformative change and innovative approaches that move beyond business-as-usual. In an article recently published in npj Urban Sustainability, Dr Jacinta Humphrey and colleagues, demonstrate the use of visioning and target setting to create an actionable roadmap to a ‘nature positive’ future (Humphrey et al. 2025).
An online workshop was held with ten experts from academia, government, consulting and non-governmental organisations across multiple countries. Focusing on the residential and development sector in the United Kingdom, workshop participants worked together to envisage a desired future for 2050, collaboratively draft a vision statement, define milestones or interim targets, and identify any potential actions along the way.
Based on a total of 53 time-bound targets, the key results of the workshop highlight the need to improve biodiversity monitoring and assessment methods, strengthen Biodiversity Net Gain metrics, increase ecological literacy and conservation funding, and enhance community access to, and connection with, nature.
One novel sentiment throughout the workshop was ensuring the interests and rights of ‘nature’ are represented on corporate boards. The idea of acting as a guardian for nature was agreed upon by participants as a potential leverage point for transformative change.
Biodiversity offsetting came up as an interesting tension amongst participants. While some experts cited the potential benefits, others felt that nature positive outcomes could only be achieve through on-site gains.
Overall, the workshop proved to be a novel and effective co-design approach which helped participants to think about and develop long-term strategies towards nature positive outcomes.
Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-025-00204-0
References
Humphrey, J.E., Selinske, M.J., Garrard, G.E. et al. (2025). How do we achieve nature positive? A vision and targets for the UK residential and commercial development sector. npj Urban Sustain 5, 14: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-025-00204-0
