Business Case for Nature - Scaling Natural Infrastructure and Return on Investment

Explore the economic imperative for nature-based solutions in this 46-minute conference talk from the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026. Discover how nature-based solutions have evolved from aspirational concepts to essential strategies as climate shocks and biodiversity loss intensify across global ecosystems. Learn about the compelling financial returns of environmental restoration, where every $1 invested in restoring degraded land can generate an estimated $7-$30 in economic benefits. Examine the urgent case for scaling natural infrastructure in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems while navigating competing economic priorities and tightening budgets. Understand what it means to seek meaningful returns on nature investments in today's challenging economic landscape. Gain insights from expert speakers André Hoffmann, Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Kirsten Schuijt, David Gelles, and Rohini Nilekani as they discuss practical approaches to implementing nature-based solutions at scale. This session, developed in collaboration with The New York Times Company, addresses the critical intersection of environmental restoration, economic viability, and sustainable development in the context of global climate action.