Branson to address Edinburgh event on ‘natural capital’

Sir Richard Branson is due to take part in a conference on ‘natural capital’ in Edinburgh later this month.

Sir Richard Branson will address an Edinburgh event on natural capital. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

The entrepreneur said natural capital – such as forests, rivers, land, minerals and oceans – should be “at the heart of decision-making”.

The World Forum on Natural Capital, to be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on 23 November, will see Branson lead a roundtable discussion with 16 “young leaders”, answering questions via Skype, about ways to drive better management of natural resources.

He said: “Young leaders are in a unique position – they are the future and have the potential to drive change and tackle the most important issues we face.

“By looking at the opportunities available to those who put natural capital at the heart of decision-making, we can equip the world’s future leaders to promote and deliver sustainable business models.”

The young leaders’ breakfast roundtable is sponsored by Dutch biodiversity initiative Platform Bee.

Rein Willems, chair of Platform Bee, said: “We look forward to a lively and stimulating debate about leadership and how the next generation of leaders could be instrumental in changing the way we look at the world.”

The World Forum on Natural Capital is organised by the Scottish Wildlife Trust.