ABSTRACT
Planet's complex land and water systems—a "natural living infrastructure"—produce an estimated $72 trillion worth of "free" goods and services essential to a well-functioning global economy. Because these benefits aren't bartered and sold in the marketplace, their value is exceedingly hard to monetize on corporate or government financial statements. As a result, this value has largely been left unaccounted for in business decisions and market transactions. As naturally produced goods and services are compromised or lost altogether, companies could experience supply chain disruptions, be forced to introduce costly alternatives to traditional inputs or face new regulatory and legal risks. In addition, the valuation of "natural capital" makes financial disclosure more robust and gives companies the option of pursuing integrated reporting. Introducing stringent efficiency measures to manage water and other natural resources reduces pressure on critical systems while creating opportunities to cut costs and increase profit margins.
