Jewel Changi Airport, designed by Safdie Architects
Developed in collaboration with Oliver Wyman, the report provides an in-depth analysis of the state of urban nature finance. It identifies barriers cities face in prioritising nature, examines the returns on urban nature investments, and outlines opportunities to create sustainable, resilient cities.
The report draws attention to the critical role cities play as drivers of the global economy and underscores the untapped potential of nature-based solutions to address challenges such as ageing infrastructure, water security, and public health. Findings reveal that only 10% of development finance approved by multilateral development banks (MDBs) includes nature considerations—far below the level required to help cities adapt to a changing climate, create liveable and healthy spaces, and develop in harmony with nature.
Nature finance offers a “no-regret” solution, providing essential services such as clean air and water, climate regulation, and biodiversity, while also delivering cultural and economic benefits. However, investment in urban nature remains insufficient, with a decline between 2018 and 2023. The report calls on city leaders and stakeholders to bridge this funding gap by embedding nature into governance and investment decisions.
Key takeaways include:
- $482 million a year in health costs could be saved by adding urban trees in 10 of the world’s megacities.
- Harnessing the potential of nature-based solutions could lead to an investment opportunity as large as $113 billion by 2030.
To achieve this, the report outlines two critical approaches:
- Nature mainstreaming: integrating a nature lens into all financial flows and urban investment decisions to ensure that projects promote sustainability and resilience.
- Nature-positive finance: identifying and expanding new financial opportunities for nature conservation, mobilising additional resources, and diversifying funding sources to complement existing public-sector-dominated financial flows.

“This report demonstrates the immense value of integrating nature into urban development. From reducing the costs of stormwater infrastructure and air conditioning to increasing property values and liveability, investing in nature is not only an environmental imperative but also a financially effective decision.” – Mikolaj Sekutowicz, CEO of Impact One & Member of the WEF Global Commission for Nature-Positive Cities
The Nature Positive: Financing the Transition in Cities report provides actionable guidance for public and private sectors to collaborate towards a resilient and prosperous urban future. As part of the Nature-Positive Transitions series, it reinforces the importance of making nature a priority in building sustainable, liveable, and future-ready cities.
The Nature-Positive Cities Initiative, which drives this report, aims to create a pathway for more resilient, equitable, and prosperous cities. Led by the World Economic Forum, it brings together two international communities: the Global Commission on Nature-Positive Cities and the Expert Taskforce for Nature-Positive Cities. With 15 global leaders, including mayors, business leaders, and heads of civil society organisations, the initiative is dedicated to promoting nature in urban development and driving transformative change across sectors and regions.
Home » Nature Positive: Financing the Transition in Cities Report Released
Nature Positive: Financing the Transition in Cities Report Released
The World Economic Forum’s Global Commission on Nature-Positive Cities, of which Impact One is a member, releases the 'Nature Positive: Financing the Transition in Cities' report in January 2025
It forms part of the WEF’s Nature-Positive Transition series, which highlights the urgent need to address nature-related risks, outlines the dependencies of economies and societies on nature, and provides pathways to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030.