Investing in nature to build back better

Given the emergence of the global health crisis in 2020 and the economic fallout thereafter, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and its partners, discussed the need to initiate discourse on mainstreaming nature into the economic recovery process in India. These discussions led to the initiation of a webinar series under the overarching theme of rebuilding nature as a response to COVID-19. The series was titled ‘Investing in Nature to Build Back Better’ and it aimed to generate and foster discourse on how can lay the groundwork for scaling up transformation as part of a ‘green new normal’. It brought together decision-makers, experts, and practitioners to discuss the significance of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration, and find ways to mobilize investments into nature as we build back better. The webinar series concluded in March 2021, bringing valuable insights on nature rebuilding to the fore. Collectively, these webinars help identify ways to recognize, demonstrate and capture reflections on the benefits of investing in India’s unique biodiversity and natural resources. It provides a powerful message that building back better is needed now more than ever.