Natural Capital Horizons: Aligning capital, communities and policy

Foresight recently convened investors, policymakers, community voices and market leaders for Natural Capital Horizons - an afternoon of open, evidence‑based discussion on how natural capital markets are evolving and where investment opportunity lies.

The quality of engagement throughout the event reflected both the urgency of the challenges facing the sector and a growing confidence that solutions are emerging. Across debates, panels and keynote discussion, several themes came through strongly.

Credibility is now the primary constraint on growth and successes need to be celebrated. Across carbon and wider natural capital markets, confidence will be built through clearer standards, stronger governance and demonstrable impact at scale.

The voluntary carbon market is not dead, but it is evolving and will ultimately succeed according to the audience vote. Investor scrutiny, political headwinds and reputational risk are reshaping demand, placing a premium on integrity, transparency and additionality.

Land transition only works when incentives align. Competitive financial returns depend on aligning investor requirements with environmental outcomes and community legitimacy — without this, scale remains elusive.

Policy direction is becoming clearer, but execution matters. Government ambition can unlock private capital, particularly where it provides long-term certainty, supports domestic supply chains and reduces friction between policy goals and market delivery.

UK investors signal Natural Capital’s move into the mainstream. Insights from the latest Natural Capital Institutional Investor Survey reports the market is approaching a critical inflection point, as asset owners indicate their intention to commit more capital and significantly increase allocations.

For an overview of the discussions and key moments from the afternoon, watch the event highlights video and full sessions below.