A new report reveals how companies should be helping to restore nature after major concerns of loss due to harmful practices.

Conducted by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (Ipbes), the assessment is a collaboration between leading sciences, approved by 150 governments.

Matt Jones, co-author and chief impact officer as the UN World Conservation Monitoring Centre says businesses could either lead the way or “ultimately risk extinction… both of species in nature, but potentially also their own.”

All businesses, even those far removed, rely on the services of nature such as clean water and fertile soils, finds Ipbes.

Leigh Morris, international director of the consortium of UK wildlife charities, The Wildlife Trusts, says nature protection is now a “must-do” for many UK businesses.

Ipbes also finds that large subsidies that are damaging biodiversity are fuelled by lobbying from businesses and trade associations.

The report also finds a lack of meaningful action on how businesses measure their impacts and reliance on nature. Less than 1% of publicly reporting companies mention their impacts on biodiversity in their reports.

Farmers and conservationists are leading the way through the management of land to support both wildlife and agriculture.

IN Somerset, Steart Marshes is grazing cattle across its land to create healthy habitats for birds, insects and plants. “They are eating different types of grasses and trampling areas that are important for wildlife,” explains farmer Andy Darch.