Resource description:
This publication, based on 44 EU-funded Research and Innovation projects, makes an important contribution to that debate. It shows that the green transition must go beyond decarbonisation alone. To succeed, it must also address the drivers of biodiversity loss, reform economic and financial frameworks, and scale up investment in Nature-based Solutions and Nature-based Enterprises. These are not niche ideas: they are powerful tools for innovation, competitiveness, and prosperity in a nature positive future.
The transition to a Nature Positive Economy is now both urgent and achievable. It is an opportunity to align prosperity with planetary boundaries, and to position Europe at the forefront of global leadership on sustainability. I hope this report will inspire policymakers, businesses, researchers, and citizens to accelerate this transformation. For people, for
nature, and for Europe’s future.
- Philippe Tulkens, ’Climate & Planetary Boundaries’ Head of Unit, DG Research &
Innovation, European Commission.
Author/Contact:
Lead Authors: Siobhan McQuaid, Marianne Zandersen, Martina Brophy, Daniela Rizzi, Paola Lepori
Reviewer: Fleur van Ooststroom-Brummel
Contact: Fleur.VAN-OOSTSTROOM-BRUMMEL1@ec.europa.eu
RTD-PUBLICATIONS@ec.europa.eu
Figures included in the report
Figure 1.1. Status of the nine planetary boundaries Source: Azote for Stockholm Resilience Centre, based on analysis in Richardson et al. (2023)
Figure 2.1. A Nature-Positive Economy means that the economy undergoes a transition over time away from nature-negative activities towards more nature-positive activities. Source: Koh et al. (2025).
Figure 2.4. The three pillars and five enablers of the EU Competitiveness Compass (source: ERRIN, 2025)