Integrating nature and workplaces in a post-COVID-19 world: building back better

Abstract

ABSTRACT COVID-19 has shone a bright light on the devastating long-term trend of urbanisation that removes us from nature, decreases exposure to biodiversity and consequently degrades our health and wellbeing. ‘Working from home’ came into sharp focus for keeping white-collar workers working during ‘lockdown’ periods, while exposing the deficiencies of many existing workplaces. We explore how to create healthier workplaces as part of a ‘build back better’ recovery effort. We focus on ‘nature-based solutions’ because of the well-established link between health and exposure to biodiverse natural environments, as well as the additional benefit this has in improving the climate resilience of communities. We recommend engaging both workforces and senior organisational decision-makers in the design of nature-based solutions and establishing inter-disciplinary collaboration.