President Trump’s return to the White House has sparked intense debates about the direction of U.S. climate policy. While he has vowed to scale back green economy spending and bolster fossil fuel production, there is a compelling and pragmatic case for Trump to embrace the NatureTech industry. Beyond climate arguments, supporting NatureTech offers economic growth, technological leadership, and new opportunities for American workers and businesses. I will make a short list of the key elements to explain why this rapidly growing sector deserves Trump’s attention:
1. Nature Positivity Offers a Stronger Economic Argument Than Low-Carbon Policies
The U.S. stands alone as the only country, aside from the Vatican, that has not ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the primary global treaty for conserving nature. However, despite this political stance, the economics of nature positivity are becoming hard to ignore. A WWF report shows that the global economy benefits from $125 trillion annually in ecosystem services, such as clean air, water filtration, pollination, and soil health—services that are currently not fully accounted for in economic planning.
While the energy industry contributes to 72% of global greenhouse gas emissions and is a heavily protected sector, there is no single industry to defend when it comes to nature preservation. Instead, nature impacts directly a diverse range of economic activities, from agriculture and forestry to urban development and basic resource supply, which collectively account for a significant share of the U.S. GDP, estimated at 14-20%).
The U.S. has some of the world’s most stringent environmental regulations, but the interconnected nature of ecosystems means that environmental impacts in one region can have direct economic consequences elsewhere. For example, the United States agriculture imports total $127.6 billion with coffee and cocoa, fresh and processed vegetables, and grains and feeds accounting for the majority. Companies like Starbucks, Hershey’s or PepsiCo are global multibillion dollar companies that depend on production overseas to sustain their business. The U.S. has also, by far, the largest coffee market worldwide, with revenues reaching over 81 billion U.S. dollars. A reduction in supplies because of bad management of environmental assets in the producing countries would definitely represent a threat for many of these US based companies.
Protecting ecosystem services in exporting countries to the US makes good business sense for the US economy. Integrating nature-positive policies could also contribute to restoring billions of economic externalities in the US, as explained through some case studies in this publication of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
2. NatureTech is a High-Growth Tech Industry
NatureTech is a rapidly expanding sector, expected to attract $2 billion in investments by the end of 2024, twice as much as six years ago. It is projected to grow to $6 billion by 2030, still smaller than the climate tech industry’s $20 billion but growing at a fast pace. This expansion is driven by rising regulatory pressure and increasing corporate awareness of nature-related risks, accelerated by policies like the EU Deforestation Regulation.
Nature loss is now recognized as a systemic risk, with potential economic costs estimated by the UN at $5 trillion by 2030. The private sector is already adapting, seeking innovative solutions to map and derisk nature-related impacts and that NatureTech provides. By embracing this industry, Trump can align with the tech sector’s growth, tapping into a promising new market that emphasizes sustainable innovation and economic resilience.
3. The U.S. Leads in Climate Tech Investments
In 2023, the United States captured 40% of global climate tech funding, amounting to $28.4 billion. This dominance in tech investment positions the U.S. as a leader in the NatureTech sector as well. The strong base of technology companies, venture capital, and startup innovation provides a unique advantage for the U.S. to capitalize on this emerging market.
For President Trump, supporting NatureTech aligns with his business-friendly agenda and serves as a strategic pivot away from the contentious fossil fuel debate. It offers an opportunity to boost American industry, maintain leadership in tech innovation, and diversify the economy by tapping into a high-growth sector.
4. Rewarding Farmers and Strengthening Rural Economies
Trump has consistently positioned himself as a champion of rural America, particularly farmers. The NatureTech industry provides a unique chance to reward farmers for their role in delivering ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, soil health restoration, and water management. With 44% of U.S. land occupied by farmers, they are key stakeholders in sustaining the country’s environmental and economic resilience.
Implementing policies that support the restoration of critical ecosystem services could offer additional income streams for farmers and help stabilize agricultural systems against climate impacts. This strategy aligns with Trump’s commitment to supporting those who work the land, while also enhancing the broader economy by integrating sustainable practices into American agriculture.
5. Disrupting Business Models by Linking Finance, Tech, and Consumers
According to the World Economic Forum, $44 trillion of economic value generation – over half the world’s total GDP – is moderately or highly dependent on nature. Nature is already a substantial economic sector. Despite its immense value, natural capital remains a physical asset that is often excluded from traditional economic valuation. The U.S. has a history of leading financial and technological innovations, making this a prime opportunity to introduce disruptive business models that account for natural capital in the pricing of goods and services.
Protecting nature and enhancing biodiversity are not just environmental goals—they represent a significant economic opportunity. According to the UN, investing in nature-positive solutions could generate up to $10 trillion in business opportunities annually and create nearly 400 million new jobs worldwide. By embracing the NatureTech industry, Trump could help drive a new wave of economic growth fueled by sustainable innovation, aligning with consumer demand for responsible products and services.
NatureTech: an Economic Strategy for Leadership and Growth
The key challenge in valuing natural assets lies in accurately measuring nature and linking these measurements to actionable frameworks such as rating systems, financial mechanisms, insurance models, incentive structures, and market tools. By integrating these elements, we can systematically embed nature valuation into every aspect of our economic activities, internalizing the environmental externalities that have long been ignored. With advances in technology, the NatureTech industry is now poised to provide the tools needed to make this a reality, fundamentally transforming how we account for natural capital.
Supporting the NatureTech industry presents President Trump with a unique opportunity to stimulate U.S. economic growth, generate new jobs, and position the country as a global leader in an innovative and vital sector. NatureTech aligns with core conservative values of entrepreneurship, market-driven solutions, and reduced regulatory burden, while unlocking new business and financial opportunities that resonate with the American private sector.
In a world where environmental impacts transcend borders and affect global economic stability, embracing NatureTech offers a path to sustainable growth and long-term resilience. For a president focused on putting America first, this isn’t just a smart policy move—it’s a strategic, pragmatic decision that can ensure a prosperous and secure future for U.S. businesses and workers.ers to transform this vision into actionable steps that safeguard and value nature for future generations.
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