Natural Capital is the stock of natural resources and ecosystem services that support economic activity and human well-being. It includes forests, water resources, biodiversity, clean air, and fertile soil. The health and availability of natural capital directly impacts a country's long-term competitiveness and sustainability.
The Natural Capital Index measures how well countries maintain and protect their environmental resources across key categories including biodiversity, forest resources, water resources, air quality, and climate-related factors.
Environmental resources drive economic resilience and long-term value creation
Bottom Line: Countries with strong natural capital provide stable, sustainable environments that reduce environmental risks and create long-term value for investors and businesses.
Key clusters to measure environmental richness and health
Availability of natural water resources, water usage and water efficiency, water stress, water pollution and the ability to generate freshwater from non-freshwater resources.
The natural occurrence and abundance of biodiversity and biomass, as well as the level of intactness and natural degradation.
Calculated based on the availability of arable land, combined with water, fertility and harvest indicators.
Calculated based on the availability of natural organic, mineral and physical resources
Evaluation of the exposure to short- and long term climate change risks
Evaluation of the agricultural sector based on soil and fertility indicators as well as expected impacts of climate change on biodiversity and fertility
A global snapshot of natural capital performance and trends
70% of countries show negative environmental trends, indicating widespread natural capital degradation
Gabon leads globally, followed by Central African Republic and Latvia, demonstrating strong forest conservation
Small island nations face severe challenges from climate change and limited natural resources
Major economies show varied performance: USA ranks 58th, China 148th, India 162nd
Northern Europe maintains strong natural capital through effective environmental policies
Rapid industrialization and population growth drive environmental degradation in developing nations
Explore how countries compare across natural capital indicators
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Discover how Natural Capital connects with Economic, Social, Intellectual, and Governance Capital
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