Beyond the launch of the Combining Forces statement, the third World Forum on Natural Capital demonstrated an important progression in the discussion of natural capital. Compared to the first Forum in 2013, there was broad acceptance of the concept of natural capital, there was far greater participation of the public sector (including via a government dialogue led through the Natural Capital Coalition by the Dutch Government), and there was wide recognition of the potential of accounting as a means to embed natural capital in decision making (including using the SEEA).
While at events such as this there is much “preaching to the converted”, it is equally clear that there are many important perspectives that, from time to time, must be exchanged. Advancing the discussion on the importance of natural capital is a journey that is best travelled together.
100 days since the World Forum: Top ten Takeaways
