In this episode, we dive into how Natural Capital is reshaping land use, farming, and business decisions with our guest, Dr Kerry Waylen. She shares her insights and working examples, to explore how land managers, farmers, and policymakers measure nature’s value, access carbon markets, and plan for long-term sustainability.We discuss topics including a just transition, the risks of greenwashing, the need for fair systems, and how supply chains—from food production to whisky—are adapting. Practical, grounded, and future-focused, this episode highlights the real opportunities and challenges in putting nature at the heart of decision-making.  

Kerry Waylen is a senior social researcher in the Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences (SEGS) department at the James Hutton Institute, and Deputy Director of the International Land Use Study Centre (ILUSC).  She builds understanding of how to achieve more 'joined up' approaches to natural resource management and studies when and how different types of knowledge – including ideas of ‘natural capital’ get used in decision-making - and how to put abstract ideas for nature management into practice. 

Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond.

Timestamps: 

0:59 – 5:52 Intro to speaker and topic background 

5:53 – 18:59 Galvanising change via natural capital project 

19:00 –  24:53 Ecosystem services, measuring natural capital, farming practices and easy wins 

24:54 – 36:34 Paying for carbon, natural capital markets, opportunities and risks 

36:35 – 44:50 Just Transition in land use and future of natural capital 

Related FAS resources:   

Biodiversity | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Stock Talk - The 5-Mile Pig! | FAS

What is the Woodland Carbon Code? | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Understanding Natural Capital Markets | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Other Related Resources: 

Ecosystem services - nature’s benefits | NatureScot

Galvanising Change via Natural Capital - James Hutton Institute

Natural Capital Protocol – Capitals Coalition

Natural Capital Market Framework - gov.scot 

Ecosystem Restoration Code: engagement paper - gov.scot