Nature-based Enterprises Guidebook: A Practical Guide for Cities
As cities begin implementing ambitious nature restoration, biodiversity, and climate policies, collaboration is becoming more important than ever. Delivering biodiversity, climate adaptation, and nature restoration goals requires new ways of working that bring together public authorities and the public sector, particularly businesses that are committed to creating environmental, social, and economic value. Nature-based enterprises are uniquely positioned to support this transition by combining commercial innovation with nature-positive solutions that help cities restore ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience, and improve quality of life.
To support this transition, Horizon Nua has developed the Nature-based Enterprises Guidebook: A Practical Guide for Cities as part of the Urban Nature Plans Plus and Invest4Nature projects, both funded by the European Commission. The guidebook provides practical guidance for local authorities seeking to engage the private sector in the planning, delivery, and long-term stewardship of nature-based solutions, particularly within policy frameworks such as Urban Nature Plans.
Nature-based Enterprise uses nature sustainably as a core element of its product or service offering for the planning, delivery, and/or stewardship of nature-based solutions while engaging in economic activity. Although these businesses have long existed, the term itself is relatively new and is not yet widely understood by many practitioners or public authorities. As a result, cities often struggle to recognise which organisations qualify as Nature-based Enterprises and how they can best contribute to local biodiversity, climate, and sustainability objectives.
The guidebook addresses this knowledge gap by introducing the concept of Nature-based Enterprises, explaining their defining characteristics, and providing practical criteria to help cities identify them within their own regions. It also explores why these enterprises are uniquely positioned to support the delivery of nature-based solutions, drawing on examples from sectors such as ecosystem restoration, green infrastructure, water management, sustainable forestry, urban greening, and environmental technologies.
Moving beyond definitions, the publication offers practical strategies for developing successful partnerships. Readers are guided through approaches for creating enabling environments for nature-based entrepreneurship, engaging enterprises throughout planning and procurement processes, and supporting long-term collaboration. The guidebook also illustrates how Nature-based Enterprises can contribute across each stage of the Urban Nature Plans Plus ten-step planning framework, from stakeholder engagement and ecological assessments to implementation, monitoring, and long-term stewardship, demonstrating how these partnerships can strengthen the delivery of nature-based solutions in practice.
To bring these concepts to life, the guidebook features examples of innovative Nature-based Enterprises alongside case studies of cities already collaborating with them to deliver nature-positive outcomes. A portfolio of practical tools and recommendations enables local authorities to adapt the guidance to their own governance structures, planning processes, and local priorities, regardless of where they are on their nature-positive journey.
As demand for healthier, greener, and more climate-resilient places continues to grow, effective collaboration between cities and Nature-based Enterprises will become increasingly important. By helping local authorities understand who these enterprises are, how to identify them, and how to build meaningful partnerships with them.
Explore the guidebook here.
Author: Hadiza Lemo, EU Project Officer, Horizon NUA
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