Introduction

With the kick-off of the world’s first Global Nature Positive Summit in Sydney just under two weeks ago, my LinkedIn feed was buzzing with inspiring lessons and passionate opinions on how to truly embrace a ‘nature-positive mindset.’ The Summit explored so many aspects of this mindset—how we build it, how we live it—and I couldn’t wait to share some of the iconic quotes and transformative ideas that came out of it.

Think of this article as a journey back through the most powerful moments of the Summit—a storytelling summary for those who couldn’t be there, and a refresher for those who were. From practical actions to powerful perspectives, we’ll dive into the key takeaways that can help us create a future where both people and nature thrive. To help turn these learnings into real actions, we’ll also share some relevant resources from Altiorem’s library for each topic to bring ideas to life.

“We have to get away from the thinking that there is not enough data, there is so much data, we need a framework for understanding, assessing and valuing it.” – Pavan Sukhdev, Chief Executive Officer at GIST Impact

This quote really resonated with me. It’s not that we don’t have the information we need to make decisions; it’s that we don’t always know how to use it effectively. There are countless studies and papers out there, and Altiorem’s library alone has over 200 resources on nature-positive strategies and impacts. Now is the time to make that data work for us—to transform information into action, and to genuinely integrate nature into our financial and business decisions. Check out our resources here, and let’s bring this mindset to life together.

Note: Not all sessions will be covered in this article.

Indigenous Leadership

“Connection between Indigenous people and nature is not a new narrative and the disconnection between people and nature is one of the challenges we need to overcome.”

The discussion highlighted how Indigenous-led initiatives are driving economic returns, building community strength, and promoting self-determination. One powerful sentiment shared was that we, as a society, are the younger, and often spoilt, sibling of the planet—we haven’t done well by the Earth or by each other. Indigenous voices need to be at the forefront, not just to drive conservation efforts but to tackle broader issues like economic justice and the systems of power that underpin it.

The speakers also called for reimagining funding priorities, noting that only 0.06% of global philanthropic funding reaches Indigenous programs, with even less going directly to Indigenous women.

There are countless resources showing the power of engaging with Indigenous peoples and embedding their voices in stewardship and beyond. Let’s continue to support the incredible work they have done for their lands.

Accelerating change: Realising ambition for nature

“I said money makes the world go around, but actually its women” – Dr Valerie Hickey, Global Director for Environment, World Bank

The next session was all about accelerating change, and it came with some powerful takeaways. As Dr. Hickey said, “If you’re not at the table, your interests are on the menu.” This urgency was echoed by other global leaders and experts who highlighted the need to transform economic systems to value nature. The message was clear: this is not just a financial or technological challenge—it’s political. We need systemic policy coherence, both domestically and internationally, to truly drive change.

Speakers shared inspiring examples like Nepal’s success in tripling its tiger population and doubling forest cover, and Niue’s remarkable effort in protecting 40% of its marine economic zone. Yet, these wins remind us that we still need to address the larger systems of power and rethink our governance models to be ‘nature positive.’

The call to action is simple: we need to break down silos, think big, and act now. Whether it’s redefining economic growth as nature-positive or holding ourselves accountable beyond just disclosures—we all have a role to play. Let’s take these lessons and push for the systemic changes needed.

Nature matters: Building business resilience

The next plenary highlighted how businesses must integrate nature into their core strategy to build resilience. Leaders from Patagonia, Telstra, Blackmores Group, and others showed that protecting nature is about seizing opportunities for long-term growth. Mark Gough of Capitals Coalition emphasized that climate, nature, and social issues must be tackled together. Telstra has created digital twins to simulate biodiversity impacts on river systems and Blackmores’ nature-based risk assessments were practical examples of how to bridge the gap between information and action.

The key message: trust and courage are needed to move forward. Just get started. As they said:

“You miss 100% of the shots you never take.”

Let’s take those shots and accelerate the change we need for a resilient future.

Building consensus on metrics

The next session brought together scientists, innovators, and convenors to discuss progress on nature-positive metrics that businesses can use across voluntary and compliance frameworks. Dr. Simon Ferrier (CSIRO) emphasised that we need metrics and frameworks that are simple enough for people to use but complex enough to provide meaningful insights. Alexandra Banks (EY) highlighted that addressing nature is key to achieving net zero.

The Nature Positive Initiative is currently building consensus on a universal set of metrics, and consultation is open now. Let’s push for consistent, reliable metrics to drive accountability and accelerate our journey towards a nature-positive future.

Blue finance: Towards a sustainable ocean economy

“This is a 40,000-year-old start-up .” – Dr. Emma Lee, a trawlwulwuy woman of tebrakunna country, Professor for the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice at Federation University. Her remark highlights the deep connection her Tasmanian community has with the land and sea, emphasising that Indigenous business practices have existed for millennia.

The session on blue finance explores how the ocean can drive both ecological and economic solutions. Five years ago, ocean solutions might have been dismissed as just beach cleanups, but today they encompass pollution, food security, climate, and biodiversity. The conversation emphasised that Pacific communities, who understand their ocean best, must lead the conservation efforts.

Despite significant commitments like Bezos’ $100 million for the Pacific, aid finance has not yet led to transformational change. Regeneration and sustainability are critical, and it’s not just about sustaining—we need to heal and restore. The panel discussed the need for blended finance to de-risk ocean investments, and the importance of starting conversations by asking stakeholders, “What do you need?” to build trust and bridge communication gaps.

With $550 billion in potential investments out to 2030, the risk isn’t in investing in blue finance—it’s in not investing at all. The message was clear: it’s time to embrace Indigenous peoples 40,000 years of wisdom, embrace regeneration, and unlock Blue Pacific prosperity.

Shaping change: What will it take?

This session highlighted the importance of starting at the community level. Every sector is shifting, and communities are grappling with climate and biodiversity impacts. The next economy is working across coal, agriculture, and critical minerals to support these transitions. Gladstone was showcased as a case study where progress came from bringing people together and involving industry.

The session underscored the need to work at a pace communities are comfortable with, which can lead to faster progress. Skills development is a key challenge, with defunding of TAFE and a lack of industry commitment to training holding back progress. There’s also a growing need for services like health and aged care. We must green every job, and women—with lower participation rates—are key enablers in this transition.

Seabin presentation on plastic waste

This interactive discussion on circular economy focused on tackling plastic pollution and highlighted some creative approaches to addressing waste. Speakers discussed the impact of plastics—from ship spills to microplastics from everyday items like coffee cups and parking tickets. The City of Sydney’s efforts to phase out plastic-lined parking tickets had led to an 78% reduction in microplastics entering the harbour.

Seabin’s approach to managing plastic pollution was also highlighted. Initially, they sold bins to collect waste but realised they needed control over the process for it to be effective, so they shifted to providing services. Their efforts demonstrate how government policies can significantly reduce plastic waste, by showing an 80% drop in plastic straws and a 70% decline in plastic bags in Sydney Harbour after the ban.

The message was clear: innovative solutions are crucial for creating a circular economy. It’s time to invest in these approaches, reduce plastic pollution, and ensure our cities and oceans thrive.

Driving outcomes: Scalable action and lasting impact

“Bust silos, take a systems approach and make sure local people have a seat at the table” – Dr Stacy Jupiter, Executive Director, Wildlife Conservation Society Global Marine Program

The next plenary emphasised the challenges of scaling positive projects amid mainstream economic forces. Marco Lambertini pointed out that the world was spending 30 more times as much destroying nature than armaments spending, what chance does Nature have while this war on nature continues?

He also stressed that financing must reach the grassroots quickly, and locally led initiatives have the power to spread effectively. Dr. Richard Jeo noted that while scaled finance is crucial, change starts at the community level. Understanding socio-ecological systems is key—nature is unevenly distributed, and science is vital to identify where action is needed most.

Sustainable ocean: A sea of opportunities

“We need investment that is co-designed, not imposed”

The next plenary explored the vast potential of the ocean and the urgent need for a science-to-policy approach. We’ve only mapped a quarter of the seafloor, and what we know is constantly changing due to climate change. The session highlighted the importance of global data sharing—currently, only 3% of ocean data from private companies is shared, and Australia contributes just 0.1%.

It was emphasised that we must not only share ideas on marine conservation but also act on them. Investment in ocean conservation must be co-designed with local communities rather than imposed. The panel reminded us that fighting for the ocean means fighting for humanity itself, and we need to ensure our actions are led by those who know the ocean best.

Making progress on metrics – good vs perfect

The next session, ‘Making Progress on Metrics: Good vs Perfect,’ focused on the balance between actionable and comprehensive metrics. The panel discussed the importance of using practical, bottom-up approaches that account for ecosystems and species, rather than relying solely on top-down approaches often used by financial institutions. Google shared its Earth Engine platform, which supports researchers and NFPs with access to over 700 curated datasets. The platform is already helping with supply chain monitoring and environmental management.

The panel emphasised that the first question when collecting data should be: why do you need it? Whether for de-risking or making claims, it’s crucial to understand the purpose. The discussion also addressed the importance of integrating quantitative data with narrative-driven storytelling to effectively communicate progress. Ultimately, it’s not about striving for perfect metrics—it’s about doing what is necessary to drive meaningful action.

Looking ahead: Delivering on nature positive plans

“The job of every generation is to give hope to the next.”

The final plenary, ‘Looking Ahead: Delivering on Nature Positive Plans,’ called for both tangible and intangible values to be recognised, especially by Indigenous peoples. The speakers stressed the need for radical acceptance of the data we have, and a shift in our thinking from compliance to creative participation.

Conclusion

As we look ahead, it’s clear that the journey to a nature-positive future will require each of us—individuals, businesses, governments, and communities—to take bold steps forward. The insights shared at the Global Nature Positive Summit remind us that change is not only possible but necessary. By embracing collaboration and courageous action, we can build a future where both people and nature thrive.

Scientists have constantly warned us that we are on the brink of no return. All of us at the summit have the privilege to make positive change for nature—so why not use that power for good? Let’s keep pushing forward and continue to change finance for good. Together, we can create a thriving, nature-positive future that leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come.

For more resources relating to the Global Nature Positive Summit, you can head over to:

• Day 1’s resources
• Day 2’s resources