Nature = Growth: How Biodiversity Can Drive Retail Innovation

Strategies underpinned by a regard for nature are fast becoming a competitive edge in retail. They cut risk, open new markets, and connect your brand with sustainability-minded consumers. The Nature & Business Masterclass is a practical starting point to help you integrate biodiversity into strategy and reporting, and consider how you can have wider positive impact for your business and nature through your supply chain.

Why it matters

• 55% of global GDP is moderately or highly dependent on nature[1], and ultimately 100% of GDP is dependent on nature to some extent . That includes food, water, raw materials, and climate regulation. Retail depends on all four. [1] Managing nature risks: From understanding to action, PwC 2023
• Many wildlife populations are in decline, and habitats are becoming fragmented and degraded. This puts supply chains, pricing, and resource availability at risk.
• Biodiversity is not just a risk factor—it’s an innovation driver. Think regenerative sourcing, nature-positive packaging, or zero-deforestation SKUs.

Retail is already responding

Retailers are starting to move from broad ESG claims to tangible nature outcomes:

• Regenerative sourcing: Some grocers are trialling regenerative farming partnerships to improve soil health and crop yields while reducing emissions.
• Nature-based packaging: Major brands are replacing virgin plastic with biodegradable, bio-sourced or reused and reusable materials to cut pollution and reliance on finite resources.
• Biodiversity-focused reporting: Several UK retailers are preparing for TNFD-aligned disclosure—voluntarily now, but likely mandatory soon.

“Protecting nature and improving biodiversity is critical to the long-term resilience of retail operations – and creates new business opportunities.”
— BRC, A Retailer’s Guide to Nature and Biodiversity

What’s changing now

Biodiversity is climbing up the regulatory and investor agenda:

• Biodiversity Net Gain rules now apply to most UK developments.
• TNFD reporting launched in 2023 and aligns with the Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Many companies are preparing to set Science Based Targets for Nature (SBTN)
• The UK Forest Risk Commodity Regulation law is due soon, and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is already in force.

Retailers that act early will shape the narrative, meet stakeholder expectations, and avoid playing catch-up.

How the masterclass helps

The BRC’s 1-day Nature & Business Masterclass gives you a practical route into biodiversity strategy. It’s not about theory. You’ll work through real-world case studies, frameworks like TNFD and SBTN, and how to apply them to retail.

You’ll leave with:

• tools to assess your biodiversity impact and risk
• a starting point for your nature strategy and disclosure
• peer insights from others facing the same retail‑specific challenges
• connections into the BRC’s wider sustainability work.

Use nature to grow — now

The climate crisis has had years of retail attention. Nature loss hasn’t - yet. But the link between nature and your bottom line is already here.

Investors, regulators and consumers are watching. Brands that innovate through nature will lead the next phase of retail sustainability.