Bird & Bird wanted to invest in positive nature impact, beyond carbon offsetting.
The Landbanking Group enabled Bird & Bird to purchase natural capital units from selected land stewards, which were generated based on verified nature improvements. Bird & Bird generated and welcomed the ability to capitalise their investment into nature on their balance sheet.
Results
Bird & Bird supported a new income stream for land stewards who are working to restore the soil health, the water holding capacity and biodiversity. In 2025, they took an additional step by capitalising their investment as an intangible asset, turning a sustainability cost into business value.
Background
Bird & Bird is an international law firm guiding organisation through a world being shaped by technology, innovation and regulation. Their partnership with The Landbanking Group demonstrates that professional service firms can contribute to impactful environmental projects, even when these landscapes are not a central part of their value chain.
Looking for the best way to invest in nature
Bird & Bird wanted to invest in positive nature impact, extending their focus beyond carbon reduction to encompass broader environmental benefits with financial and legal integrity. They were interested in supporting and funding projects that restore or protect ecosystems outside their immediate value chain, ensuring these initiatives not only delivered tangible ecological outcomes but also aligned with their core values. This approach reflected their commitment to driving meaningful change in the natural world, addressing challenges such as habitat loss and biodiversity decline.
Investing in Natural Capital Units
Natural Capital Units (NCUs) represent verified improvements in ecosystem health. These units represent specific environmental gains - like increased soil carbon storage, enhanced water retention capacity, or preserved biodiversity. Each unit is backed by scientific data and continuous monitoring.
Through the Landler platform, The Landbanking Group connected Bird & Bird with vetted projects in Egypt and South Africa that focus on ecosystem resilience and regenerative land use.
What makes this approach unique is how it integrates with standard accounting practices. Under IFRS and German commercial law (HGB), companies can record NCUs as current or intangible assets on their balance sheets, allowing them to formally track and report their nature investments. Bird & Bird specifically recorded the units as intangible assets on their balance sheet under § 266 Abs. 2 I. 2 HGB (Handelsgesetzbuch) of the HGB accounting standard.
Strengthening their balance sheet while rewarding farmers for improving nature health
Bird & Bird’s investment in nature-positive outcomes—improving water retention and soil carbon levels in South Africa and Egypt—has not only enhanced ecosystems but also unlocked a new revenue stream for regenerative and biodynamic farmers. 80% of the revenue derived from acquiring these units was paid out to the participating farms, empowering them to sustain and expand their efforts.
Natural capital units are designed to meet the necessary criteria for being accounted as assets instead of costs. By booking these investments as assets, Bird & Bird demonstrates a pioneering approach to sustainability accounting. This treatment not only improves their balance sheet composition but also sets a precedent for how companies can integrate environmental investments into their financial reporting. Unlike traditional sustainability expenses that are simply written off, asset booking creates lasting value that can be tracked, measured, and potentially appreciated over time as natural capital becomes increasingly valuable.
Project 1: South Africa – Spier
At Spier, ecosystem vitality and soil fertility are driven by rotational grazing, strategic grass seeding, and the application of biodynamic fertility preparations. Revenue from selling Natural Capital Units to Bird & Bird has provided farmers with financial support to maintain healthy land and pursue further improvements.
Bird & Bird first invested in natural capital units across 149 hectares of Spier's land in December 2023. The investment enabled Spier to continue improving their soil health and water retention, which led them to generate additional Natural Capital Units.
Project 2: Egypt - SEKEM & EBDA
Through this project, seven biodynamic farmers were recognised for the significant improvements in the health of their land. One farmer from Fayoum, south of Cairo, shared, “It’s inspiring to see our land thrive. The additional income lets us keep investing in soil quality, carbon storage, biodiversity, and water retention—building resilience for the future.”
In addition, by recording these investments as assets, Bird & Bird demonstrates how companies can strengthen their financial position while supporting environmental initiatives through a recognised accounting framework.
Project 3: Germany - Hof Dannwisch
Inspired by their success, Bird & Bird expanded their impact to Hof Dannwisch, an organic farm in Germany, in 2025. Through biodynamic practices like cover cropping and crop rotation, Dannwisch boosts carbon sequestration and water retention while preserving biodiversity zones. Bird & Bird’s purchase of NCUs directed 80% of the revenue to the farm, with 20% covering measurement costs. This success story shows how supporting regenerative farming can create a cycle of positive environmental impact and new investment opportunities.
How Bird & Bird invested in Nature
Imagine your business is committed to creating a positive impact beyond their value chain. Through our platform, you can invest directly in land stewards who are at the forefront of nature restoration. Here are the steps Bird & Bird took to have a direct impact:
Step 1: Select Projects
Bird & Bird selected two projects from The Landbanking Group’s portfolio in Egypt and South Africa that aligned with their values to restore habitats, ensure ecosystem resilience, and support sustainable land use.
Step 2: Invest
Bird & Bird purchased natural capital units generated by measurable improvements in soil organic sequestration and water holding capacity from these projects. Their payment supports farmers with their regenerative practices.
Step 3: Monitor Progress
Bird & Bird can track the progress of nature outcomes they funded over time and see the development of the land.
Step 4: Activation of Natural Capital
Bird & Bird recorded the purchase of natural capital units as an intangible asset. This marks the final step in The Landbanking Group’s vision of putting nature on the balance sheet.
Step 5: Support Natural Capital Growth
Bird & Bird rewarded land stewards for improving farmland in Egypt and South Africa. Their partnership encourages farmers to continue enhancing land health with regenerative farming methods.
