The Natural Capital Primer is a collaborative project of the Macdoch Foundation, La Trobe University and Vizzuality. Our team comprises experts in environmental science, sustainability, and communication, all dedicated to making natural capital an integral part of public knowledge and business practices.
The Macdoch Foundation is an Australian philanthropic foundation that is committed to building a nature-positive, climate-friendly agriculture and food system that is economically sustainable, nourishes people and strengthens communities. Active in Australia and the US, the Foundation funds in the areas of agriculture and natural capital, public engagement and climate-related industry transitions, and the health and wellbeing of farming communities in support of its purpose to build the resilience of people and the planet.
La Trobe University’s Research Centre for Future Landscapes creates knowledge and solutions for healthy landscapes for people and nature. The Centre develops next-generation tools and solutions to address the global challenge of sustaining natural ecosystems in human-dominated landscapes. The Centre is multi-disciplinary, comprised of academics, post-doctoral research fellows and research students.
Vizzuality is an impact-driven design and technology agency that creates bespoke, science-based data visualisations and digital tools that inspire learning, catalyse decisions, and improve our world. We collaborate with proactive organisations to create a sustainable future for our planet and society. We have over 15 years of experience working with world-changing organisations, building platforms like Global Forest Watch, Aqueduct, and Trase.
‘Natural capital’ is the buzzword of the moment. Natural capital is prominent in global initiatives, government policies, marketing slogans, and sustainability frameworks worldwide. However, navigating different definitions and applications of natural capital can be confusing and overwhelming for individuals and businesses.
The purpose of the Natural Capital Primer is to increase awareness and to improve understanding of “natural capital” by:
Understanding and managing natural capital is crucial for achieving sustainability, conserving biodiversity, addressing climate change, and ensuring the well-being of future generations.
The Natural Capital Primer is intended to help build a foundational knowledge of what natural capital is, how we depend on it, and how we impact it. By understanding and managing natural capital, we can make informed decisions that help to create an equitable future that is both financially prosperous and beneficial for the planet. The Primer is handy for:
We must collectively value, measure, and manage nature in order to reverse its long-term decline and live within our planetary boundaries.