The conference explored how companies can inspire themselves by and through nature, by developing and implementing 'natural business strategies' into their business models. This helps businesses become both sustainable and successful in an increasingly challenging and uncertain global climate. You can download Michael Bremans' slides here. Michael, who is chairman of Ecover International, was a keynote speaker on the day.

The conference explored how companies can inspire themselves by and through nature, by developing and implementing 'natural business strategies' into their business models. This helps businesses become both sustainable and successful in an increasingly challenging and uncertain global climate. Keynote addresses and contributions from: L. Hunter Lovins - founder and president of Natural CapitalismDianne Dillon-Ridgley - director of InterfaceMichael Bremans - chairman of Ecover InternationalAndy Wood - CEO of AdnamsJane Davidson - director of InspireGiles Hutchins - global director of sustainability of AtosDiane Gilpin - director of B9 ShippingJo Fox - director of 'bigger picture' BSkyBMelissa Sterry - futurologist and Earth 2.0Denise DeLuca - founder of BCIAndy Middleton - founder of TYFNigel Stansfield - senior and vice president of product and innovation at InferfaceFLORAnthony Hilton - financial editor of the London Evening Standard You can download the slide deck from the day...

The financial crises of the last decade have demonstrated serious shortcomings in the understanding of corporate business models, the alignment of incentives, and the management of risk. The current corporate reporting model has not highlighted where these shortcomings exist. This failing is exacerbated by the pace of change of business today, with a plethora of new challenges impacting long-term success, including a shift in the global balance of power, resource constraints and climate change.

Natural capital – our ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources – underpins economies, societies and individual wellbeing. The values of its myriad benefits are, however, often overlooked or poorly understood. They are rarely taken fully into accountthrough economic signals in markets, or in day to day decisions by business and citizens, nor indeed reflected adequately in the accounts of society. The steady loss of forests, soils, wetlands and coral reefs is closely tied to this economic invisibility. So too are the losses of species and of productive assets like fisheries, driven partly by ignoring values beyond the immediate and private. We are running down our natural capital stock without understanding the value of what we are losing. Missed opportunities to invest in this natural capital contribute to the biodiversity crisisthat is becoming more evident and more pressing by the day. The degradation of soils, air, water and biological resources can negatively impact on...

Air PollutionYou probably experienced pollution – it’s the smogand other contaminants that float in the air webreatheIn some cities around the world, such as LosAngeles, Mexico City and China, you can hear radioor TV alerts like the following :- Alert, today the level of pollution in the air is high- Children and the elderly should not go outside- Those who practice an outdoor sport should not do so- People with asthma should carry their inhalers at all times- The rest should avoid going out, or wear a mask when doingsoParallel crises- Financial crisis, spilling over into theeconomy- Climate crisis- Ecosystem/natural resources crisis –two thirds of our most importantecosystems – like tropical forests, farmland, fresh water and marine