Nature 'taken for granted' sparks calls for change

Turning around a decline in biodiversity will require re-evaluating economic models that have incentivised the destruction of the natural environment.

The task is essential to meeting Australia's climate-change commitments and safeguarding the economy, an unlikely alliance of environmental and industry groups says.

The alliance has highlighted the importance of environmental protection and restoration ahead of a conference in Sydney.

The Global Nature Positive Summit will bring together leaders from the environment, corporate, research and government sectors and Indigenous communities.

Australian Institute of Company Directors chief executive Mark Rigotti hopes the summit can raise industry awareness about the need to protect and restore nature for economic and environmental reasons.

"We've probably all just taken it for granted," he told AAP.

"If we don't do something about nature and treat it as a valuable asset, and we keep degrading it, then it will be a handbrake on productivity."

The institute is one of 11 organisations representing conservationists, accountants, insurers and others which have called for a focus on workable solutions that support productivity and prosperity.

Australia has one of the world's highest extinction rates and a rich natural environment particularly sensitive to biodiversity risks.

"At the same time, nature underpins Australia's economy - with roughly half of Australia's GDP being moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services, either directly or indirectly," the group said.

It said biodiversity loss could impact businesses and investors through supply chain disruptions and reputational risks from community backlash.

It is also inextricably linked to the drivers and impacts of climate change, which requires collective action to meet the nation's emissions reduction goals.

Addressing the issue will require re-evaluating existing economic systems which have been "decidedly nature-negative", Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation chair Ken Henry said.

"Australia has as much to learn as any country about how to turn a nature-negative system into a nature-positive one," he said.

Australian Council of Superannuation Investors chief executive Louise Davidson said organisations needed to understand their impact and dependency on the natural environment.

"While there is a growing awareness of the importance of nature-related risks, reporting is still in its early stages," she said.

The three-day summit, hosted by the Commonwealth and NSW governments, will begin in Sydney on Tuesday and explore effective ways to address biodiversity loss as well as the systemic changes required to value nature.