As the world prepares for the post-Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) era, the global community faces a critical challenge: how to build a future that is inclusive, resilient and sustainable for both people and the planet. Inequalities –  economic, social, health-related and environmental – continue to grow, especially in the Global South. These cannot be solved by siloed strategies.

Under South Africa’s G20 presidency, and building from initiatives such as ‘Africa’s Key Role in the Brain Economy’ and the Yaoundé Declaration, there is a unique opportunity to drive a new development paradigm – one that unites human potential and environmental stewardship. Nature capital has emerged as a major focus area for the G20, as reflected in initiatives such as the G20 Nature Investment Roadmap (2024) and the State of Finance for Nature in the G20 report. Similarly, brain capital is gaining recognition through efforts such as the G20 Mental Health Initiative (2023).

We propose an actionable blueprint that brings together these two vital yet often siloed assets: brain capital and natural capital. Their interaction is frequently overlooked, despite their combined potential to drive sustainable, resilient and inclusive development.

Two interconnected forms of capital

This blueprint identifies two deeply interconnected forms of capital: brain capital and nature capital.

• Brain capital: Encompassing brain health, cognitive ability, innovation capacity and future-ready skills, this is a cornerstone of economic and social progress. It fuels creativity, problem-solving and resilience, yet it remains under-prioritised in most economic strategies.
• Natural capital: This encompasses the ecosystems, biodiversity and climate systems that sustain life and that are deteriorating rapidly, thereby worsening inequality and eroding the foundations of long-term prosperity.

Treating these two forms of capital in isolation ignores the reality that healthy brains need healthy environments, and vice versa. Our proposal calls for integrating these assets into a new development model that supports regenerative, inclusive and knowledge-based economies.

Global Brain–Nature Capital Dashboard

The Global Brain Capital Dashboard, developed by the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA), is an innovative tool designed to monitor and visualise key drivers of brain capital (a concept that encompasses brain health, education, mental resilience and cognitive skills) across countries and regions. Recognising the interdependence between human well-being and planetary health, the dashboard also integrates a nature capital component. This offers a unique lens into how ecosystems, biodiversity and environmental quality support cognitive and emotional functioning of the brain.

By combining indicators of optimal brain performance with metrics related to air quality, green spaces, exposure to environmental toxins and climate vulnerability, the dashboard highlights the crucial role of nature in shaping brain development and resilience. This dual-focus approach allows policymakers, researchers and investors to explore how investments in nature and brain capital together can enhance societal well-being, productivity and innovation.

The dashboard reflects the need to advance a brain- and nature-positive economy where human and ecological systems are mutually reinforcing. It provides evidence-based insights to guide inclusive, forward-looking policies in the face of global challenges, from climate change to mental health crises. As societies seek pathways to sustainable recovery, the dashboard is a strategic tool to reimagine prosperity through the combined lenses of brain and nature capital.

The dashboard is essential in shaping the future of economic policy by providing a comprehensive, data-driven view of how investments in brain and nature capital drive resilience, innovation and inclusive growth. By integrating indicators on cognitive health, education, mental well-being and environmental quality, it enables policymakers to identify strengths, gaps and emerging risks across societies. It also supports the transition to a brain- and nature-positive economy, offering strategic insights for targeted interventions. As economies face complex challenges – from digital transformation to climate change – the dashboard serves as a critical tool to design smarter, more sustainable and human-centred economic policies.

A four-pillar global strategy

We outline four key policy pathways to unlock brain–nature synergies.

• Green and digital skills for the future: Empower communities with education and workforce strategies that build cognitive and digital capacity aligned with green transitions, especially for youth, women and marginalised populations.
• Nature-positive innovation ecosystems: Support entrepreneurship, research and local innovation that draw on both brainpower and environmental sustainability, encouraging brain-positive, circular and regenerative business models.
• Resilient financing mechanisms: Redirect global capital flows toward brain- and nature-positive outcomes through blended finance, carbon markets and innovative tools. We propose creating a Global Brain–Nature Capital Fund to finance projects that advance both cognitive and ecological resilience in vulnerable regions.
• Inclusive global governance: Build strong South–South and North–South collaborations to shape governance structures that reflect shared human and environmental priorities. Equity must be built into the system from the start.

A call to action for the G20

This approach aligns directly with the goals of South Africa’s G20 presidency, as well as the Africa 2063 Agenda, which envisions an inclusive, climate-resilient, knowledge-driven future. By embracing brain–natural capital synergies, the G20 can move beyond business as usual and lead a truly transformative global agenda.

This is not simply about new indicators – it is about rethinking what development means. A regenerative and just economy must value mental wellbeing and environmental integrity as foundational, not optional.

As demographics shift, climate risks grow and digital technologies redefine the global landscape, the G20 must lead with vision and courage. Our blueprint offers a path forward: one where brain and natural capital are no longer neglected but rather recognised as the most valuable currencies of the 21^st century.