Natural Capital and Biodiversity expert, Jenny Merriman, is helping individuals to understand their relationship with nature so they can build sustainability into the core of their businesses.

There is no planet B 

Climate change and global biodiversity loss are having a catastrophic impact on the environment and we are running out of time. As Associate Director leading the Natural Capital and Biodiversity team, I am proud to be a part of the solution by raising awareness, increasing understanding and empowering individuals to take action.  

Growing up on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, UK, I have always held a strong affinity for the environment. Sadly, estimates of our total impact on nature suggest that we would require 1.6 earths to maintain the world’s current living standards. Yet we have no planet B. 

We need to transform the way that we treat the place that we live. Making sure that what we leave behind is a place where our children can live a happy life. It’s not just about saving elephants, tigers and whales. It’s also about breathing cleaner air and having natural resources that last beyond our lifetime. 

We can all be a part of the solution 

Although the concept of natural capital (the world’s stocks of soil, air, water and all living things) has been around for decades, integrating the notion into the business sector is still relatively new.  

Every project we work on starts with educating our clients on the importance of natural capital and biodiversity. We do this before any practicalities like measurements, metrics and reports. This attention to detail is how we can really add value by making sure the concept is truly integrated into day-to-day business activities.  

We’re currently working on our second project with Transport for London as they incorporate natural capital into their business decisions. It’s a common misconception that natural capital is only important in protected areas like national parks. But it’s also about the elements of the environment that support businesses to operate - protection of their assets from soil erosion or climate change induced impacts such as flooding.  

By recognising their impact, businesses can better understand their dependencies on the environment and take measures to reduce risks and maximise opportunities. It’s a considered process that connects all aspects of the operation. 

This work follows on from our first project which set a baseline for biodiversity net gain; a process used to leave environments in a better state than before. During this partnership, we produced toolkits to assess biodiversity across TfL, developed guidance and hosted training sessions on running net gain assessments in the future. Our unique approach equips individuals with the tools they need to normalise this way of thinking and operating. 

A world with sustainability at its core 

My ultimate goal is for sustainability to be so integrated into society that the work of environmental professionals is no longer required. I would be very proud to live in a world with sustainability at its core. A society that safeguards nature, protects the environment for our children and enables businesses to thrive. 

Until then, I will keep taking the necessary steps to create a better future, treading lightly as I go.