Our
impact

At Natural Capital, impact guides every decision. It is foundational to how we source, structure, and steward investments.

Our integrated impact framework aligns ecological restoration with inclusive economic development and sustainable financial returns. Each project we deliver is designed to protect biodiversity, strengthen community livelihoods, and contribute to global climate goals.
Gulls flying silhouette

Pillars of impact

Our impact is built on four pillars that guide how we deliver measurable outcomes for nature, people, and investors.
Climate resilience icon

Climate
resilience

We strengthen ecosystem stability and climate adaption by protecting and regenerating Africa’s critical forests, rangelands, and river systems.

Biodiversity protection icon

Biodiversity 
Protection

We safeguard critical habitats and restore degraded ecosystems, enabling wildlife populations to recover and thrive.

Community citizenship icon

Community
Development

We generate equitable livelihood opportunities for communities living alongside wilderness areas — fostering local employment, enterprises, education, and skills development.

Sustainable finance icon

Sustainable
Finance

We mobilise blended capital to sustain conservation efforts and generate long-term value for people, nature, and investors alike.

Key Impact Metrics

170k

hectares of natural habitat protected

$27m

mobilised into nature-positive investments

28m

tonnes of carbon sequestered

31

threatened species protected

120

jobs supported by the portfolio

55%

of senior managers are women

Measurement and transparency

Embedded from the outset, our impact, measurement, and management system delivers real-time insights and enhanced adaptive management – ensuring decisions are evidence-based and outcomes deliver lasting impact for people, nature, and investors.

Theory of change

Our approach follows five key stages

01

Plan

Define the intended impact through a clear Theory of Change and set measurable targets aligned with global standards.

02

Implement

Integrate impact objectives into operations, budgets, and governance structures.

03

Measure

Track environmental, social, and financial indicators using consistent, verifiable methodologies.

04

Learn 

Analyse results, engage stakeholders, and adapt strategies to strengthen performance and scalability.

05

Report

Communicate transparent results through dashboards, third-party verification, and investor impact reports, ensuring transparency, accountability and continuous improvement.

MZCP Camera Trap Survey

In partnership with Panthera and EarthRanger, we are using camera trap surveys to map and monitor wildlife across the Middle Zambezi Valley – a region rich in biodiversity and home to unique species. This research helps ensure populations are effectively tracked, managed, and protected for the long-term.

INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT AND BENEFIT SHARING 

We believe conservation succeeds only when it engages and uplifts the people who live closest to the land. Our benefit-sharing mechanisms ensure that local communities are not just participants, but long-term beneficiaries of conservation investments.

Equitable Employment

Job creation in conservation, tourism, restoration, and infrastructure roles, where employees earn above the local living wage.

Tichoana Danyere with a radio

Skills and Enterprise Development

Targeted training, youth empowerment, and support for community-led business enterprises.

A woman from the Marara Recycling Project in her home

Revenue Sharing

Transparent distribution of carbon credit and other revenue in alignment with national policies and community agreements.

Women walking through a river with goods on their head

Participatory Governance

Local representation in project planning and ongoing monitoring through established committees.

A man pointing on a large map

Respect for Rights

Reinforcement of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) to ensure projects are community-endorsed and rights-based.

Women washing clothes in a river
A pangolin at night

Ethical Considerations

Every decision we make carries responsibility — to the people we work with, the environments we protect, and the generations that will follow. As such, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethics and accountability.

Our work is grounded in transparency, robust governance, and a commitment to fair and respectful partnerships. We believe that sustainable investment must be built on trust, integrity, and shared value creation.

Read more

Ethical Considerations

Every decision we make carries responsibility — to the people we work with, the environments we protect, and the generations that will follow. As such, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethics and accountability.

Our work is grounded in transparency, robust governance, and a commitment to fair and respectful partnerships. We believe that sustainable investment must be built on trust, integrity, and shared value creation.

Read more
EarthRanger is proud to partner with Natural Capital to deliver realtime, usable data to support effective adaptive management. Input and advice from the Natural Capital team has helped guide EarthRanger’s ongoing development, improving the tech platform and enhancing data-driven decision making to optimize resource protection across Africa.
Jes Lefcourt

EarthRanger

Impact
Reports

Wide river with sandbanks

Bespoke wilderness investments across Africa

Impact Report 2024

Download PDF
A flock of flamingoes

Investing in Africa's Wilderness

Impact report 2025

Download PDF

Aligned with Leading Frameworks

Our work follows internationally recognised standards that ensure integrity and measurable impact across every stage of the investment lifecycle.
GIIN Logo
IFC logo
IRIS+ logo
Principles for Responsible Investment logo
OECD logo
Science-based targets initiative logo
UN SDG Logo
Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures
GIIN Logo
IFC logo
IRIS+ logo
Principles for Responsible Investment logo
OECD logo
Science-based targets initiative logo
UN SDG Logo
Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures
GIIN Logo
IFC logo
IRIS+ logo
Principles for Responsible Investment logo
OECD logo
Science-based targets initiative logo
UN SDG Logo
Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures

Latest news
and views

A group of people in an event lecture hall
30/09/2026

How Natural Capital is Developing the Next Generation of African Nature Finance Leaders

Learn More
Car driving through Namibian desert
02/09/2026

African Conservation: The Solutions and Scale that Nature Finance Needs

Learn More
INSEAD Feature Image
20/08/2026

Africa’s Natural Capital: Reframing the Frontier

Learn More
A group of people in an event lecture hall
30/09/2026

How Natural Capital is Developing the Next Generation of African Nature Finance Leaders

Learn More
Car driving through Namibian desert
02/09/2026

African Conservation: The Solutions and Scale that Nature Finance Needs

Learn More
INSEAD Feature Image
20/08/2026

Africa’s Natural Capital: Reframing the Frontier

Learn More

Theory
of change

Our theory of change aligns ecological restoration with inclusive local economic development and financial returns.

Goal

To safeguard critical wilderness areas in Africa that deliver long-term benefits for nature, people and sustainable economic development

01
Outcome 1:
Protecting & Restoring Nature

High-value ecosystems are secured, effectively managed, and resilient to climate change.

Output 1.1

High-value conservation landscapes are identified, secured, and established

Output 1.2

Conservation areas are effectively managed and ecologically restored

Output 1.3

Biodiversity, climate, and ecosystem health are monitored using robust science

02
Outcome 2:
Inclusive and Sustainable Development

Local communities experience equitable benefits, improved livelihoods, and active participation in conservation.

Output 2.1

Better jobs and diversified livelihood opportunities are created

Output 2.2

Individuals achieve higher levels of employment, fair wages, and economic stability

Output 2.3

Women and underrepresented groups are empowered and included in decision-making

03
Outcome 3:
Sustainable Finance for Nature

Conservation landscapes are supported by long-term, diversified, and scalable capital.

Output 3.1

Conservation projects are designed with the financial, legal, and ecological structures needed for investment

Output 3.2

Philanthropic, private, and public capital are mobilised and deployed at scale

Output 3.3

Sustainable revenue models ensure long-term financial resilience

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