The value of nature: from nature credits to a nature-positive economy

This organised jointly by the Nordic capital region offices in Brussels, highlights how nature valuation, nature credits, land use changes and emerging policy tools can support Europe’s transition to a nature-positive economy. The Nordic region brings unique environmental challenges, including nature fragmentation, forest pressures, coastal biodiversity loss and climate impacts in northern ecosystems, while also showcasing innovative regional solutions such as land use reforms, nature-based infrastructure, ecosystem accounting and pioneering nature credit pilots.

The event aims to bring forward Nordic regional insights on biodiversity challenges and solutions; present the European Commission’s latest work on nature restoration, natural capital markets and the nature-positive economic transition; and create dialogue between EU policymakers and Nordic practitioners on practical implementation needs.

The target audience includes EU institutions, Nordic and European regional and local authorities, city networks, environmental NGOs, researchers, think tanks and private sector actors engaged in natural capital and biodiversity.

The programme opens with coffee and networking from 09:30 to 10:00, followed by the main session from 10:00 to 12:00. The welcome is delivered by Janne Leino, Director of the Helsinki EU Office. Keynote input is provided by a representative from the European Commission. Nordic regional speakers then present practical challenges and solutions from their respective capital regions, followed by a moderated discussion and questions and answers session.

The event concludes with a networking lunch from 12:00 to 13:00. The format is hybrid.