What is Nature Governance and How Can it Help Future Proof Your Organization?

We spoke with Alexandra Pimor ???? the director of global Nature governance at Earth Law Center (ELC) and Pooja Sharma , ELC’s NGA co-Strategy & Operations Officer. In our interview, we? discussed the topic of Nature Governance, an emerging trend amongst businesses to incorporate a pro-planet framework into their organizations. Amongst it’s many achievements in the environmental space, Earth Law Center developed Nature Governance as a means of providing businesses with a set of tools and practices for protecting both the? planet and their operations.?

Intro: Defining nature governance

Grounded: What is Nature Governance?

ELC: Nature Governance, which we refer to as “Nature-conscious governance,” is based on the concept, framework and practice developed by the Earth Law Center’s Nature Governance Agency (NGA) for Nature-positive governance.?

It is not about us/humans governing Nature. The correct terminology is Nature-conscious governance and therefore it is about human systems reintegrating Nature-consciousness:

• The consciousness within, i.e. that ‘we are Nature’
• The consciousness of being within Nature (we are not separate from Nature) - we are a part, an expression of Nature, of the community of life on Earth

Nature-conscious governance combines 3 concepts:

• Nature: there many meanings of Nature, and many ‘natures’ to respect
• Consciousness: the practice of being aware… of our relationships, environment (inner/outer)
• Governance: a system of regulation for equilibrium and harmonious living

So Nature-conscious governance is the practice of being aware of our Nature (as a whole) and making conscious and ethical decisions that are ecocentric and inclusive of Nature.

Nature-consciousness is integrated within a governance system and practiced through the Voice, the Vote and the Way of Nature.

Grounded: How does Nature Governance fit into a company structure?

ELC: Traditional understanding of governance focuses on control, transparency, accountability and compliance. The framework of Nature-conscious Governance intends to disrupt that through its R.A.W. framework: based on the pillars of Responsibility, Accountability, and Wisdom.??

• Responsibility is promoted through the Vote of Nature where we integrate a qualitative practice to inform response-ability through Nature conscious decision making with the 8 Principles of Ecological Responsibility.?
• Accountability is conducted through the Way of Nature where aligned practice builds on quantitative and qualitative practice and an ecocentric definition of success.?
• Wisdom is gathered through the Voice of Nature where we align the mindframe to listen to voices, wisdom & needs of Nature through a community of practice, Nature-conscious governance philosophy, and inner development goals.

Grounded: Broadly, what does Nature Governance accomplish?

ELC: Where environmental governance (e.g. ESG) resorts to rules, laws, policies (and so on) to shape human behavior in the use and management of natural resources, Nature-conscious governance, as developed by NGA, adopts a responsibility-based, purpose-led and relational approach to human behaviors and processes for holistic ecological benefits.?

We have seen public and private benefits, including building purpose-driven organizations, fulfilling ecological needs, employee satisfaction and retention, and building a clientele & investment community aligned with the business.

Bringing Nature into an organization - in whatever format - is not a destination in itself; it is the start of a journey of regenerative transformation.?

Defining the problem: Why is Nature Governance Needed?

Grounded: What are the current environmental issues that businesses face?

ELC: The Dasgupta Review (2021) emphasized that ‘we are part of Nature, not separate from it’, and that our reliance on Nature for our economies, livelihoods and well-being make it our most precious asset.

S&P (2023) found that 85% of the world’s largest companies are significantly dependent on Nature; leading an increasing number of investors, companies and stakeholders to acknowledge the interrelatedness of biodiversity, natural capital, ecosystem dependencies and climate strategy.?

Together, the loss of nature and climate change are the “twin emergencies” facing humanity and turning a blind eye to either can leave businesses vulnerable and exposed to risks. These risks are widespread, from physical and value-chain risks associated with climate change on business operations, through to reputational risks and increasingly, litigation risks.?

Grounded: How are businesses contributing to the problem?

ELC: Businesses, corporations, and organizations are integral actors in leading efforts towards an ecological transition - corporations are both dependent on and impacting on Nature as a whole. A failure to act will lead to repercussions including reputational damage; loss of citizen customer trust; loss of financing, financial and business opportunities; inability to recruit (this is happening with Total, Shell, banks who are being shunned by a new generation of graduates); and more.

Today, governance must be more than a passive accountability mechanism that is left open to claims of greenwashing, tokenism and solely performative actions. Businesses are significant drivers of change and, in comparison to the political and sociological sphere, are agile and nimble. Historically, businesses have also been hotbeds of creative thinking, innovative solutions and groundbreaking ideas. Therefore, they are well positioned to address the emergencies we face today with creative thinking, bold ideas and active change.?

Solution: Introducing Nature Governance

Grounded: Why is Nature Governance in companies’ best self interest?

ELC: Bringing Nature into an organization has two goals:

• to tackle greenwashing and tokenizing risks undermining the initiative; and
• to ensure authenticity and integrity in the process across all levels of development and practice.

For those who are still doubting the significance of this evolutionary business model and governance practice, the key questions that organizations have to ask themselves are the following:

a) Will they survive and still be relevant in the next 10 to 15 years?; and b) Are they on the right side of history and showing leadership?

• Example(s) of companies that have successfully introduced the framework and how it has benefited them and the environment: Faith In Nature , Tony's Chocolonely , Patagonia and more

In partnership with B Lab Benelux and Nyenrode University, the Nature Governance Agency (NGA) researched and analyzed ten organizations who have successfully implemented Nature within their organizations. There were four models that stood out – Nature as Inspiration, Nature as Shareholder, Nature as Advisor, and Nature as a Director. To learn more about the initiative and download the toolkit, please visit the Onboarding Nature website.?

Grounded: What are some positive profit and nature outcomes of the framework?

ELC: Enabling Nature consciousness in organizations' governing structures where ecocentric tools assist in double bottom line solutions promote regenerative practices that can sustain businesses in many business cycles.

How to implement: Nature Governance

Grounded: Broadly speaking, what are the steps towards implementing nature governance?

ELC:

Foundation - Voice of Nature Vision board: Chart the vision for Voice of Nature; identify the models; and strategize on next steps

• Implementation - Feasibility Study: Legal, corporate and organizational review; constitutional and structural updates; accountability framework; and nature proxy selection
• Integration - Alignment Management: Board guidance and coaching; Nature-conscious governance practice facilitation; Nature proxy induction, training and support; and accountability alignment
• Legacy - Nature-conscious Governance: Making wise decisions (Nature-conscious voting); Nature wisdom meshworking; and NCG continuous practice & accountability development

Copy: Through NGA’s Vision, Model and Strategy curriculum (the Foundation), we undergo a deep organizational structural review and update any constitutional, corporate and policy amendments if, where and as required (e.g. articles of associations, governance framework, voting protocols).

In order to practice Nature-conscious Governance, we rely on the Voice of Nature, via a human proxy, as a pathway to advance Nature’s interests, agency and wisdom within anthropocentric systems. Based on the pillars of Responsibility, Accountability, and Wisdom (RAW), Nature-conscious governance goes beyond the control and compliance system of governance; and incorporates relationality, empowerment, alignment, and leadership to make Nature-informed decisions.

Next Steps

Grounded: What are some helpful resources for companies and business leaders looking to implement Nature Governance?

ELC: Resources for companies looking to take the next steps including ELC:

Nature Governance Agency was built to empower leaders to make wise decisions - for, with, and as Nature. Our vision is to promote a Nature-conscious integration and practice across all human-made systems of governance.?

Along with Nature proxy training and strategic Feasibility Studies, the Nature Governance Agency’s Nature-based consulting services also include a Nature-to-Business Sodality program. In this immersive program, NGA guides organizations ready to represent and execute on behalf of Nature, or those commencing their adventure in defining their Vision. NGA utilizes their custom frameworks in securing an organization's Vision, curating Nature On The Board models for the entity’s structural design, and aligning the organization's progression strategy with legacy-based implementation.

NGA is the first organization to offer Nature-to-Business (N2B) services that bring the voice, the vote and the way of Nature to private and public enterprises. Our CRAFT services portfolio encompasses: Consultancy, Representation, Alyship, Facilitation, Training. Our approach is ecocentric, systemic, integral, and holistic as we guide, accompany and support corporations, businesses and organizations to lead the transition, transformation and legacy for an Earth-centered society.?

Grounded: Thank you to Alexandra Pimor, Pooja Sharma, Lucy Ward and the team at ELC for all of their insights into Nature Governance. Learn more about Earth Law Center and discover helpful tips on implementing Nature Governance into your organization by heading to https://www.earthlawcenter.org/

Sources:

Nature of Risk: A Framework for Understanding Nature-Related Risk to Business 2019. WWF.

Brian M. Wong (2019) “The Climate is Changing: What Every Board Member Needs to Know”, ACC Docket.

Ken Wilber (2000). A theory of everything: An integral vision for business, politics, science and spirituality (Shambhala Publications).