Innovating with Nature: Factors Influencing the Success of Nature-Based Enterprises

Abstract

Nature-based enterprises (NBEs) have recently emerged as important actors in the delivery of nature-based solutions (NBS) to societal challenges, but little is known about the context in which they operate and the factors influencing their development. The empirical research undertaken in this study provides a first insight into the most significant barriers and enablers nature-based enterprises face in their external environment. Findings were drawn from a review of literature triangulated with a survey of 148 nature-based enterprises and interviews with the founders/CEOs of 22 NBEs. Political factors were identified as the most significant external influence, with increased awareness and incorporation of NBS into relevant policies and economic instruments seen to play a significant role in market development. Conversely, policy inconsistencies and poorly designed public procurement approaches present significant challenges. Other key influencing factors relate to financing (both public and private), lack of industry standards and impact measurement. Industry networking and access to education, training and skill development emerged as key enablers, with university collaborations highly regarded. Further in-depth research is recommended to explore indications of disparities in the levels of awareness, financing, and skills gaps across different regions of Europe and different nature-based economic activities.

Negotiating Complexity: Challenges to Implementing Community-Led Nature-Based Solutions in England Pre- and Post-COVID-19

“…Notable challenges in existing literature relating to perception and knowledge are a lack of understanding and awareness of NbS and their benefits among both decision-makers and the wider public [ 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 ]. Examples include a lack of awareness of NbS’s diverse environmental, social, and economic benefits [ 69 ], or GPs not seeing the health benefits of nature-based social prescribing [ 70 , 71 ].…”

“…However, the aforementioned lack of awareness of the benefits of NbS leads to a political barrier: a lack of sense of urgency in implementing NbS among policy-makers [ 77 , 82 , 83 ]. Together with competing priorities between policies [ 76 , 84 ], lack of political will and long-term commitment also become notable political barriers resulting in a lack of supportive legal and policy frameworks [ 67 , 69 , 78 , 83 ]. Gaps between government policy and practice are also highlighted, making it difficult for local actors to implement projects [ 68 , 69 ].…”

“…Finance is the constraint most commonly mentioned in the surveyed literature [ 67 , 71 , 76 ]. Lack of sustained or dedicated financial resources was reported as the main financial challenge in maintaining the viability of projects or activities, and for mainstreaming [ 69 , 70 , 78 , 85 , 86 ], with resulting project insecurity also potentially impacting participants’ mental health [ 70 ].…”

An integrated process for planning, delivery, and stewardship of urban nature-based solutions: The Connecting Nature Framework

“…Prominent amongst these papers are those that seek to clarify definitions of, and the potential for, nature-based solutions and how they fit with the ecosystem approach and natural capital ( [18,21,35,36]; e.g., [2,3,20,37,38]). This has resulted in a proposed UNEP [39] definition of nature-based solutions and the embedding of nature-based approaches into the EU Green Deal which may stimulate such initiatives for realising the ambition, such as the establishment of nature-based enterprises and nature positive financial incentives [23,40,41] and a general scaling out of the nature positive economy [13,42]. However, concerns remain in relation to the efficacy and impact of nature-based solutions for delivering on building urban climate resilience, augmenting biodiversity, and improving ecosystem services [43][44][45][46].…”

Strategies for mainstreaming nature-based solutions in urban planning in ten European cities

“…Piloting and demonstrator projects have provided means for institutional learning about dedicated and targeted NBS mainstreaming across different geographies 37,38,39,40,41 . Along these lines, several authors noted the importance of collaborative arrangements, including science-policy/planningcommunity collaborations and partnerships, when new solutions are to be integrated in urban planning 42,43 , and to stimulate green jobs and enterprises 33,44 . However, the barriers and implementation gaps will continue without a better understanding of strategically developing the processes, knowledge, skills, and relationships needed to move beyond individual projects 11,20,21,22,45,46 .…”