Natural Capital Innovation Zone
Natural Capital is the resource that underpins all economic prosperity and finding a way to sustain it and ensure it represents a renewable asset is critical to long term economic health.
What is the Natural Capital Innovation Zone?
In October 2024, the South of Scotland was officially designated as Scotland’s Natural Capital Innovation Zone (NCIZ) by the Scottish Government. This landmark recognition, announced by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, celebrates the region’s unrivalled natural assets and its potential to address climate and nature challenges, while fostering economic growth for future generations.
The Vision
• Strengthen business and community resilience in the face of climate and biodiversity challenges
• Grow a wellbeing-focused economy for both current and future generations
• Pioneer innovative land and marine management methods
• Foster strong partnerships across public, private, and social sectors
What the NCIZ Means for the South of Scotland
• Responsible Investment: Attracting and accelerating responsible private investment to support nature-positive initiatives and the wellbeing economy.
For more information on investment support and opportunities, head to the Invest in South of Scotland website.
• Innovation in Management: Leading on new approaches to land and marine management across the region
• Natural Capital Investment Pipeline: Developing a robust pipeline of opportunities, with a focus on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and regenerative agriculture projects
• Effective Partnerships: Building relationships among businesses, communities, and statutory bodies to encourage collaboration on projects, research, and funding
• Community Engagement: Ensuring local voices are heard and empowered throughout the investment and innovation processes
Recent Highlights
The South of Scotland Regional Economic Partnership (REP) has become the first region in Scotland to publish a Regional Land Use Framework (RLUF) as part of the Regional Land Use Partnership, demonstrating leadership in land use and a commitment to a green, fair, and flourishing future.
The Commitment
The Scottish Government and partners have affirmed that investing in natural capital is a shared public and private responsibility. Through the NCIZ, the South of Scotland is driving forward a powerful vision: to become a beacon for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth, helping Scotland tackle the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.
Get Involved
We invite businesses, communities, and organisations to join us on this journey. Whether you are interested in responsible investment, innovative land management, or collaborative projects, the NCIZ offers exciting opportunities to shape a prosperous and sustainable future for the South of Scotland.
Want to know more about the NCIZ and who is involved?
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Natural Capital Scotland Programme Pilots
Natural Capital Scotland Programme Pilots about Natural Capital Scotland Programme Pilots external link which will open in a new window
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What does the NCIZ mean for Businesses and Communities
What the NCIZ means for Businesses and Communities about What the NCIZ means for Businesses and Communities external link which will open in a new window
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The Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation makes clear that working with and investing in nature is a priority. Scotland’s natural assets contribute billions of pounds to the economy and thousands of jobs.
“People and businesses in the South of Scotland are building a unique agenda with which to capitalise on their heritage, strengths and assets. The region’s natural capital provides a huge opportunity on which to capitalise still further.
“The Natural Capital Innovation Zone is an initiative borne through the Convention of the South of Scotland to accelerate responsible investment in the region.
“I look forward to the partnership working which helped launch it continuing in order to drive important and exciting work across the South of Scotland – for the benefit of its economy, its people and its natural environment.
Kate, The Deputy First Minister of Scotland)