How should investors measure natural capital assets? MPs quiz green economy experts
On Wednesday 20 March, the Environmental Audit Committee continues its inquiry on the role of natural capital in the green economy, with an evidence session exploring how data, standards and monitoring contribute to effective natural capital markets.
MPs will hear from investment organisations, academics, development banks and the British Standards Institute.
Meeting details
‘Natural capital’ refers to elements of the natural environment – for example, soil, water and air – that provide goods and services to society. This could be through helping to produce basic goods like food and timber or helping to absorb waste products.
Throughout its inquiry, the Committee is examining how private investment, a key part of the Government’s current path to a net zero economy, can fund natural capital and contribute to the UK’s environmental goals.
In the first panel, MPs will ask witnesses about how attempts to measure, record and report the value of natural capital assets could be standardised across the sector. They may also ask how the UK could establish a baseline value for natural capital assets, against which environmental progress could be measured, and who should be responsible for it.
In the second panel MPs will ask about monitoring and evaluation of natural capital assets, including who this information should be reported to and what should happen if monitoring reveals that targets are not being met.
Witnesses may also be asked how to ensure that natural capital investment is not used simply to offset other emissions, and how investors can align their activity with nature restoration.