Sectoral Briefs from GoNaturePositive!: Supporting the Nature-Positive Transition
We are pleased to announce the release of a series of Sectoral Briefs produced under the GoNaturePositive! project, funded by the European Union. These briefs highlight how key economic sectors can contribute to a Nature-Positive Economy.
Covering agri-food systems, built environment, forestry, tourism, and the blue economy, these concise documents present the challenges, opportunities, and policy recommendations needed to transform these sectors — helping balance economic activity with ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation.
Agri-food systems
Agriculture covers 38% of EU land but exerts the greatest pressure on European habitats, accounting for 48% of pollution pressures on ecosystems. This Agri-food systems brief explores how transitioning to a Nature-Positive Economy requires transforming agriculture into a driver of ecological restoration.
Built Environment
The built environment plays a central role in Europe’s economy, contributing 9% of EU GDP and providing 18 million direct jobs. This brief explores how transitioning to a Nature-Positive Economy requires transforming cities from drivers of environmental degradation to champions of ecological restoration.
Forestry
Forests cover 39% of the EU's land area, yet only 14% are reported as being in 'good' conservation status. This brief explores how transitioning to a Nature-Positive Economy requires transforming forest management from a focus purely on timber production to integrated approaches that restore and protect forest ecosystems.
Tourism
Tourism contributes around 10% of the EU's GDP and employs nearly 23 million people, yet the industry continues to degrade the very ecosystems it depends on. This brief explores how transitioning to a Nature-Positive Economy requires transforming tourism from a driver of environmental degradation into a force for ecosystem restoration.
Blue Economy
The blue economy directly employs 4.82 million people and contributes 2.4% to the EU-27 economy, yet 86% of EU marine protected areas still provide only low protection. This sectoral brief explores how transitioning to a Nature-Positive Economy requires transforming marine industries from drivers of biodiversity loss to forces for ocean restoration.