Natural capital is all the world’s natural resources: rocks and minerals, soil, air, water and all living things. Our natural capital underlies and supports human society and without it we will perish. It supplies society with fresh air, clean water, food and fibre and the natural environment provides spiritual and cultural values for our well-being.
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| Heathy woodland - Bunyip State Park |
Climate change, natural disasters and biodiversity loss are challenging factors for maintaining our natural capital – and some would add the elephant in the room; population growth.
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| Sand mine - Nyora (Credit: Save Westernport Woodlands) |
It is becoming increasingly important that we assess and account for how the environment contributes to human prosperity and well-being. Government and private jurisdictions are increasingly becoming aware of the need to account for the natural environment in their decision making.
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| Beard's Rd - Neerim East |
Federal environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, has pledged to halt Australia’s extinction crisis and to securing support for her goal to place 30% of Australia’s land and sea areas under conservation management by 2030. This undoubtedly will require massive pecuniary support as it will involve adding 300,000km² - an area larger than Vic and Tas combined – to existing national parks and reserves.
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| Mangrove habitat - Rhyll |
The minister wants to value our natural capital by generating environmental investment through the creation of a market for biodiversity credits for protecting important habitats.
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