As the world grapples with the pressing need to address climate change, the business community is facing an undeniable call to action.
In response to consumers’ growing consciousness of the environmental impact of the products they buy and challenged by incoming requirements for mandatory climate reporting and packaging regulation, manufacturers and retailers have pursued single-minded goals – net zero by 2030, 100% renewable energy, 100% recyclable packaging and zero waste among these ambitions.
But at the Global Nature Positive Summit, hosted by the Australian government in Sydney in October, the message was clear and compelling – that the repair of nature is central to the achievement of our climate goals. Nature is the most effective way to remove carbon from the atmosphere, it is necessary to mitigate climate impacts, and it provides countless ‘services’ that our businesses depend on.
Why nature-positive is the next frontier
While the shift toward net-zero emissions has been a critical step, the long-term resilience of our supply chain depends on the protection and restoration of nature.
At Blackmores, we’re growing our understanding of how nature-based practices not only enhance sustainability but also strengthen the foundation of our business. With more than half of the global economy dependent on nature, protecting biodiversity and restoring natural ecosystems is essential for securing the raw materials and services from nature that we depend on.
It isn’t hard to imagine why a natural health products company would be passionate advocates for nature – we have a clear relationship with the bounty of nature. Consider our sourcing of potent omega-3 oils from marine sources and wild cultivated herbs for medicines and even the sand needed to make our iconic glass bottles.
More than half of the global economy is at risk due to nature loss and 15,000 of the 50,000 medicinal plants used in natural products are at risk of extinction. This has a very clear consequence for the vitamins and dietary supplements (VDS) that have made us a trusted household brand for over 90 years.
But it’s not only the VDS category at risk. Companies rely on nature for a variety of raw materials that form the basis of products and services. Businesses are also dependent on the essential services that nature provides, such as water, pollination, soil nutrients and carbon sinks.
Nature is a business’s number one supply chain partner—not only because of the services it provides but also because of its unmatched ability to sequester carbon and mitigate climate impacts.
If we don’t protect these resources, not only will supply chains be disrupted, but consumers will lose access to vital materials. The global demand for sustainably sourced products is growing and can provide a valuable competitive advantage.
Collaboration across the supply chain
Of the many learnings we’ve gained from the first three years of our journey to be a Nature-Positive business, the most valuable is the knowledge that we need to collaborate across our value chain to have the greatest impact and to unlock value.
To be truly sustainable, retailers will need to work closely with their suppliers. A Nature-Positive approach requires collaboration across the entire supply chain, from the sourcing of raw materials to the recovery of packaging.
By partnering with suppliers that adopt sustainable sourcing practices and minimise environmental impacts, retailers can help protect the ecosystems that provide these vital resources. This is an ongoing process for many businesses but it’s the forward momentum that is crucial.
Our business relies heavily on natural ingredients like medicinal herbs, which come from delicate ecosystems. Through partnerships with organisations like Pollination, we’ve been able to assess our supply chain’s impact and dependency on nature and to work toward minimising our environmental footprint. We’ve taken steps to segment our product portfolio based on the origin of materials—whether from farms, forests, fisheries, or factories—and we’re working with suppliers to promote sustainable practices.
By first assessing your business’s impact on nature, across owned and operated sites, and then evaluating your supply chain, you can gain clarity over not only where your business sits on the journey to net zero; it will also provide you with clear grounds to develop climate resilience goals and set accountable targets.
For retailers and manufacturers, the message is clear: our supply chain is only as strong as the ecosystems that support it. By investing in nature-positive practices, we can ensure the long-term availability of raw materials and build resilience against the growing risks posed by environmental degradation and climate impacts.
The role of innovation and data
Nature-positive strategies are not just about conservation—they’re about innovation.
Digital platforms and data-sharing initiatives are key to tracking environmental impact, identifying at-risk areas, and fostering greater transparency across the supply chain.
As a proud member of the Australian Climate Leaders Coalition Nature working group, we’ve co-created NatSTART, a free digital tool to help businesses to get started on nature. These kinds of innovations allow businesses to make informed decisions that not only protect the planet but also drive long-term business value.
As incoming disclosure frameworks gain momentum, such as those from the Task Force on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), the shift to nature positivity will not simply be about overcoming operational and regulatory hurdles. It will ensure businesses recognise that nature offers some of the most promising solutions to the climate crisis.
Consumers as catalysts for change
Consumers are a driving force behind the retail industry’s push toward sustainability. More than ever, they are aligning their values with the products they buy and the way they shop.
Importantly, an ambition to be Nature-Positive won’t compromise your existing goals to create circular economies and accelerate net zero pathways, it is complementary to those aspirations. Utilising recycled material for packaging and reducing waste will not only reduce your emissions footprint, but it will also reduce your impact on nature.
Lisa Mclean, CEO of Circular Australia said, “Circularity is an economic framework to solve climate and nature.”
Looking ahead
The path to a sustainable future is not without its challenges, but it is one that we must navigate together. Retailers have a unique opportunity to shape the future by adopting Nature-Positive practices that safeguard biodiversity and secure supply chains.
By fostering collaboration with suppliers, investing in innovation, and responding to the growing demand for sustainable products, retailers can build a more resilient and sustainable business—one that benefits both people and the planet.
The future of our businesses lies in our ability to protect the very ecosystems that sustain us. It’s an opportunity to partner for meaningful change.
In my role at Blackmores and working alongside our CEO, Alastair Symington in his leadership of the Australian Climate Leaders Coalition nature working group, I’m proud to be part of a movement that is working to create a world where nature and business thrive together.
Sally Townsend is head of sustainability at Blackmores Group.