NetworkNature Annual Event 2025 | Choose Nature.

“Transformative change is urgent because there is a closing window of opportunity to avoid further biodiversity loss and prevent triggering the potentially irreversible decline and projected collapse of key ecosystem functions. Delaying action to achieve global sustainability is costly compared with the benefits of taking action now”

This statement opens the summary of the IPBES Report on Transformative Change and warns us about the risks of failing to address biodiversity loss with the urgency the situation demands.

At the same time, current EU political priorities aim to foster competitiveness, to ensure that European businesses can thrive in the global marketplace. This, coupled with a shifting geopolitical context, may signal a shift in focus — from ambitious environmental targets to a stronger emphasis on economic growth.

This seemingly divergent context invites us to reflect on the possible opportunities and challenges of addressing these questions together. The NetworkNature Annual Event 2025 “Choose Nature” will explore different means to align biodiversity and economy in times of urgency, building on the concept of Nature-based solutions. Through pitches and discussions on different pathways to build a resilient economy that benefits both people and the planet, a broad range of stakeholders from the public and private sectors will examine diverse ideas, knowledge, initiatives, and case studies, that link nature with economy, innovation, finance and business. The event will also encourage stakeholders to engage with and adopt these approaches.

The event will be structured around four thematic sections:

• Choose to Work with and for nature – This section explores how supporting and enhancing nature can help build a more resilient economy, and discusses how simplification can enhance environmental ambition.

• Choose to Trust nature and people – This section delves into the concept of dependency, highlighting nature’s ability to provide essential ecosystem functions and presenting Nature-based Solutions as innovative approaches —grounded in science, enriched by indigenous knowledge, and shaped with local communities — to current challenges.

• Choose to Invest in nature – Focusing on innovative finance mechanisms, this block explores public, blended, and private financing opportunities for nature.

• Choose to Partner with nature – In the closing session, businesses working with nature will share key insights from their business models, highlighting opportunities, barriers, needs and strategies for nature-positive business practices.

Complementing the main event, the exhibition Why Choose Nature? will invite you to explore the diverse (and divergent) reasons why working with nature is essential for people and the planet. Curated through an open call, this exhibition will compile different resources: reports, case studies, key scientific publications, memories, artistic works... — all showcasing how nature-based approaches can drive a wide range of values and positions in relation to nature. Whether you are an individual or part of an organization — a committed individual, a policymaker, researcher, educator, entrepreneur, investor, or a representative of a city or region — you are invited to share your vision and explore inspiring reasons to place nature as a first priority.

Finally, during the event, NetworkNature will officially launch the NbS Business Forum and offer a space to showcase diverse nature-based business models, curated via an open call.