Banking on Nature's Assets

The report argues that Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) must move beyond a narrow focus on market-valued provisioning services to a systematic approach that accounts for multiple ecosystem services in all development operations. It highlights that two-thirds of 24 audited global ecosystem services have been degraded, undermining development. The document proposes integrating ecosystem services into strategic direction setting, advisory services, and investments to better manage risks and opportunities related to climate and environment.

• The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment found that two-thirds of 24 audited global ecosystem services have been degraded over the last 50 years, which is negatively impacting development progress.
• Traditional development planning has focused on market-valued provisioning services while ignoring regulating services, leading to trade-offs such as increased shrimp production at the cost of mangrove storm protection and increased dam power at the cost of wetland purification.
• The report recommends that MDBs adopt a systematic approach to ecosystem services across all development operations from the earliest planning stages, specifically within strategic direction setting, advisory services, and investments.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Banking on Nature's Assets. https://www.wri.org/research/banking-natures-assets

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Banking on Nature's Assets. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/banking-natures-assets.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Banking on Nature's Assets |url=https://www.wri.org/research/banking-natures-assets |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendbanking, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Banking on Nature's Assets}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/banking-natures-assets}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }