Expanding the Market for Nature-based Solutions
A Sorenson Impact Institute Multi-Year Initiative
Turning Nature’s Value Into Measurable, Investable Outcomes
Nature-based Solutions (NbS), actions that protect, manage, and restore ecosystems and enhance human well-being and biodiversity, can address some of the world’s most pressing challenges while expanding the market for impact investing.
Utilizing our expertise in social impact and outcomes-based financing, we have embarked on a series of applied research projects and strategic initiatives to help expand the market for NbS. Our goal is to develop robust metrics for nature’s intangible benefits, close critical knowledge gaps, and pilot innovative financing structures that enhance returns and mitigate risk.
Ultimately, we aim to catalyze scalable investment in nature-positive outcomes, ensuring investments are both financially viable and underpinned by scientific rigor and social equity.
“NbS is an emerging sector that recognizes and leverages the power of nature to efficiently address the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. It can also improve socioeconomic outcomes in communities along with ecological outcomes.”
— Janis Dubno, Managing Director of Impact Finance, Sorenson Impact Institute
Explore the Report: A Focused Examination of Forest-Related NbS Investments
Among the first projects in our multi-year NbS initiative is a focused examination of forest-related NbS investments. In this report, we assert that they are a powerful underutilized and undercapitalized tool for addressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and community resilience.
Building on forestry’s role as both a proving ground and structural stress test for NbS finance, this project advances three core contributions:
- Establishes a clear taxonomy of forest NbS investments.
- Demonstrates why scale depends on financing architecture rather than standalone tools.
- Illustrates this shift through in-depth case studies of successful forest investment models.
Stay Up to Date
Learn more about our plans to fuel nature investment. Sign up to receive our informational email series, ongoing updates about our multi-year NbS initiative, and more.
Meet the Project Leaders
The Institute’s NbS initiative is led by veteran innovator and outcomes-based finance expert Janis Dubno, as well as renowned ecologist and National Geographic Explorer at Large Dr. Nalini Nadkarni.
Janis Dubno
Managing Director, Impact Finance, Sorenson Impact Institute
“Ultimately, our goal is to create a clearer, evidence-based investment framework that aligns capital with nature-positive outcomes at scale.”
Dr. Nalini Nadkarni
Senior Fellow in Residence, Sorenson Impact Institute; Forest Canopy Researcher; National Geographic Explorer at Large
“Drawing on the power of nature to address pressing environmental and societal challenges is essential to stabilizing and restoring critical ecosystem services and other human values, including health and well-being, cultural heritage, community resilience, and ecological biodiversity.”
