natural capital

USAGE SUMMARY

"natural capital" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an asset that is naturally occurring and provides a benefit. For example, "Forests are a natural capital that provide clean air and water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Nature is "natural capital".

The Guardian - Opinion

He manages Trucost partner network and has led several large bespoke projects including the Natural Capital Coalition's seminal study on natural capital accounting, 'Natural Capital at Risk: The Top 100 Externalities of Business'.

Huffington Post

Natural capital is everything nature provides us for free.

The Guardian

Natural capital is everything nature gives us for free.

The Guardian

Natural capital is not inexhaustible".

The New Yorker

Natural capital: breakthrough or buzzword?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Is 'natural capital' the next generation of corporate social responsibility?

The Guardian

The Natural Capital Project is featured.

Stanford University

That's where the Natural Capital Project comes in.

Stanford University

Environmentally Conscious Development: Natural Capital is Irreplaceable -- 16.4.

Princeton University

Recent research uses data from the Natural Capital Project.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "natural capital", clearly define which aspects of nature you are including, such as forests, water systems, or biodiversity, to provide a comprehensive understanding for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "natural capital" interchangeably with financial or manufactured capital. "Natural capital" specifically refers to the stock of renewable and non-renewable natural resources (e.g., plants, animals, air, water, soils, minerals) that combine to yield a flow of benefits to people.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "natural capital" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying the stock of natural resources that provide benefits to humans. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound. As Ludwig examples suggest, it's frequently used in discussions about economics, sustainability, and environmental management.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "natural capital" is a noun phrase used to describe the stock of natural resources that provide benefits to humans. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently used. It functions to conceptualize nature as a valuable asset, advocating for sustainable management. Its register is neutral, with usage spanning from scientific to news contexts. Common errors include confusing it with financial capital. As the numerous examples provided by Ludwig show, understanding and valuing "natural capital" is crucial for sustainability and economic well-being.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

environmental assets

Focuses on the environmental resources as valuable assets.

ecosystem services

Highlights the services that ecosystems provide to humans.

natural resources

Emphasizes the resources provided by nature.

environmental resources

A broader term encompassing all resources from the environment.

ecological assets

Highlights the ecological features with asset value.

planetary resources

Emphasizes that the resources are from our planet.

earth's resources

Directly references resources originating from the Earth.

renewable resources

Focuses on nature's self-replenishing capacity.

non-renewable resources

Highlights resources of nature that cannot be recreated.

resource capital

Inverts the phrase structure to highlight resources as capital.

FAQs

How is "natural capital" used in economics?

In economics, "natural capital" refers to the earth's stock of natural resources, which provide essential ecosystem services and economic value. It's integrated into economic models to account for environmental impacts and sustainability.

What are some examples of "natural capital"?

Examples of "natural capital" include forests providing timber and carbon sequestration, wetlands offering flood control and water purification, and coral reefs supporting fisheries and tourism.

What's the difference between "natural capital" and "environmental assets"?

"Natural capital" emphasizes the economic value derived from nature, while "environmental assets" is a broader term encompassing all natural resources and ecological systems, whether or not they are directly valued economically.

How does the concept of "natural capital" relate to sustainability?

"Natural capital" is fundamental to sustainability because it highlights the importance of maintaining and enhancing natural resources to ensure long-term ecological and economic well-being.