Natural capital is defined as the world’s stocks of natural assets which include geology, soil, air, water and all living things providing natural resource inputs and environmental services for economic production. It is from this natural capital that humans derive a wide range of services, often called ecosystem services, which make human life possible. Source: World Forum on natural capital

It can be defined also as the elements of nature that directly and indirectly produce value or benefits to people, including ecosystems, species, freshwater, land, minerals, the air and oceans, as well as natural processes and functions. Source: The UK Natural Capital Committee

Natural capital project, TEEB

Glossary