Landscape-scale restoration has the power to create a 36:1 social return on investment, according to two new reports from nonprofit Restore the Earth Foundation and Social Value International (SVI).
Based on the results of eco-restoration projects in Louisiana’s Tensas National Wildlife Refuge and the Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area, the reports assess, quantify and monetize the environmental, social and economic impacts of investments in landscape-scale restoration on local communities, economies and stakeholders. Report findings support the business case for funding a holistic climate-smart solution to degraded and destroyed ecosystems.
According to Marshall, natural capital and green infrastructure investments offer demonstrable benefits to corporate investors, including cost-effective reductions in their environmental footprint, as well as improvements to brand perception and employee recruitment and retention.
This is illustrated through the example of Entergy Corporation, a leader in electric power production and retail distribution operation, which invested $1,546,000 into the restoration of 1,942 acres of bottomland hardwood forest in the Tensas National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). For every $1 Entergy invested, $36 of integrated environmental, social and economic value is created and accounted for.
Of the $36, $33 of non-market social value is returned to the community based on cleaner air and water, job creation, enhanced recreational opportunities, soil stabilization, storm protection and flood control. Three dollars in market value is also created by the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous offsets and social license to operate. In total, communities and multiple stakeholders will benefit from $119,611947 in environmental, social and economic value creation.
This is an excerpt from an article first published by Sustainable Brands. Read the full article here.
