Interest in marine natural capital markets is growing across the UK, and some of the building blocks are now in place, from new national restoration plans and funds to the BSI Nature Investment Standards and the emerging saltmarsh and seagrass codes. But we are still some way from a functioning market for marine nature recovery. Our new paper, Making Marine Natural Capital Markets Work, sets out seven interdependent conditions a high-integrity market needs, from a credible pipeline of projects and committed buyers to long-term protection of restored sites and clear rules on governance and benefit-sharing. For each, it identifies the questions that still need answering to turn emerging interest into a working market.
The paper is published to coincide with Blue Finance 2026 in London on 11th November, where Beth Siddons, HMC’s Head of Ocean Finance, is presenting its findings. Written by Beth Siddons and Audrey Jones, HMC’s Head of UK Blue Economy, it draws on our recent work exploring financing options for future marine net gain for Natural England, reviewing marine nature financing in Scotland, and reviewing international marine natural capital credits for Crown Estate Scotland. If you’d like to talk about the paper or how it applies to your work, please get in touch – info@howellmarine.co.uk