Episode 34: Nature is Critical Infrastructure with Lesley Wilson, Policy & Engagement Lead on Biodiversity and Natural Capital at ISEP

In this episode host Jonathan Withey speaks with Lesley Wilson, policy and engagement lead at ISEP (formerly IEMA), about business, biodiversity, and natural capital. They discuss ISEP’s role as a global membership body, its biodiversity and natural capital network, and how member insights inform policy and consultations. Lesley explains IPBES as a science-policy platform similar to the IPCC, how its assessments inform the Convention on Biological Diversity, and why the Manchester plenary and side events were notable, including IPBES’s first business-and-biodiversity assessment. They explore ISEP’s paper “Nature is Critical Infrastructure,” linking natural capital to UK GDP and planning, and cover how companies can measure nature impacts using tools like TNFD and other frameworks, along with personal reflections on experiences in nature.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro01:32 Host Updates on BNG02:49 Episode Topics Preview04:32 Meet Lesley at ISEP05:50 Lesley Career Journey08:02 ISEP History and Growth09:22 Why Membership Matters12:28 Sustainability Roles Debate13:49 What Is IPBES19:18 How IPBES Links to CBD20:44 Business Engagement at IPBES22:47 Nature as Critical Infrastructure25:55 Defining Natural Capital26:50 Ecosystem Services Explained27:30 Biodiversity Hidden Benefits29:22 Climate Threats to Supply31:08 Nature as Business Risk32:12 Local Nature Action Wins34:04 Measuring Biodiversity Impacts36:03 Metrics Not Magic Numbers38:47 Tools and Frameworks TNFD40:52 First Best Worst Nature Stories46:41 Closing Reflections and 30x30Send us Fan Mail