Businesses are highly dependent on nature; over half of global GDP – US$44 trillion – is at risk from nature loss. Climate change is responsible for 11-16% of biodiversity loss, but the remaining ~85% is largely driven by land and ocean use change, overexploitation or pollution. The momentum for a shift towards a nature-positive economy is growing, where our economic activities not only minimise impact, but also enhance ecosystems. Such a nature-positive approach could unlock massive business opportunities and jobs. What are some of these nature-positive business opportunities in Asia? How can they help tackle biodiversity challenges? And what are some of the barriers and enablers to capture these opportunities?

Natural climate solutions can help companies to address climate and deforestation impacts, create resilient supply chains, engage employees and customers, offer net positive products and achieve net-zero emissions. What is the science behind nature-based solutions, and how can nature-based solutions be a solution for corporates, especially in Asia? 

The need for nature-based climate solutions (NbS) has never been greater as we combat climate change and battle the collapse of biodiversity. The Sustaintech Xcelerator sees the marriage of nature and technology as vital in bringing solutions to help transform NbS monitoring, reporting and verification from a manual, infrequent and fragmented process into one that is continuous and transparent in monitoring the performance and impact of an NbS project.

The inaugural Sustaintech Xcelerator Demo Day showcases the 2021 cohort’s technologies, innovation and solutions in increasing confidence in NbS. Hear from five start-ups that leverage disruptive technologies and data, such as AI and climate science models, remote sensing and IoT technologies among others. 

We risk growing beyond planetary boundaries as the world population heads towards the 10 billion mark by 2050. Clearly, we will need new resource systems to sustain our burgeoning population, and we need them soon. Bright spots are emerging as new innovations promise more sustainable ways to produce energy, food and materials. What is needed for these solutions to be scaled quickly for maximum impact? What can governments and large corporations do to create a nurturing environment for innovative start-ups to thrive? 

2021 is the year of climate action as ‘Net Zero’ takes center stage globally, and conversations shift from problems to solutions and action. Southeast Asia has responded in step with governments, businesses, and investors all committing to new actions. Yet the path from aspiration to results will be one of immense challenge and opportunity for many, enabled by digitization and technological innovations. The ‘Southeast Asia Green Economy’ 2021 report by Bain & Company, Microsoft, and Temasek will showcase where the regional action is today, where Southeast Asia is on the ‘road to Net Zero’, and which sectors and opportunities offer the greatest potential in the decade ahead.

COVID-19 is a poignant reminder that human life is inextricably linked to nature and our environment: wildlife exploitation, deforestation and biodiversity destruction all increase the risk of disease transmissions from animals to humans. Nature also provides us with many vital ecosystem services, such as the air, food and water we need to survive, climate regulation, carbon sequestration and many more. All around the world, as countries and cities went into lockdown, people sought to reconnect with nature. 

How has the pandemic affected our relationship with nature? This session will explore perspectives on why nature is indispensable to sustainable development, and how we can collectively work alongside nature, and not against it, in a post-pandemic world.