Profile
Willem Ferwerda is executive fellow at the Rotterdam School of Management - Erasmus University. He is Founder of Commonland, a nonprofit foundation that supports local actors to develop long-term solutions at a landscape scale on biodiversity, carbon, regenerative agriculture, business and communities using the 4 Returns framework for Holistic Landscape Restoration.
Ferwerda studied biology, tropical ecology and agriculture at the University of Amsterdam and Universidad Nacional Colombia. In Colombia he lived and worked with poor farmers on the impact of agriculture and recovery of natural vegetation. After finalizing his studies, he organized expeditions to remote nature areas in Latin America and Europe.
From 1995 Ferwerda set up a Dutch funded Rainforest Grants Program at the Netherlands office of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) to support rainforest conservation organisations and indigenous people worldwide. From 2000-2012 he served as Executive Director of IUCN Netherlands: setting up ecosystem grants programs on wetlands, rainforests, and grasslands in more than 40 countries, supporting 1,500 projects. In 2005 he founded together with Egon Zehnder and McKinsey&Company a business network to enable a dialogue on nature and business between CEOs and conservation leaders in four countries. In the Netherlands this resulted in an agreement on biodiversity between the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO- NCW) and 35 nature organizations in 2010. In India this resulted in a business and nature programme led by IUCN India and the Confederation of Indian Industries.
In 2012 he developed a practical way to restore large landscapes, the 4 Returns framework, that was inspired by the Ecosystem Approach of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. It was published by IUCN and Erasmus University.
In 2013 Ferwerda founded Commonland, an international nonprofit organisation, supported by the Rotterdam School of Management, the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management and Wijnand Pon, founder of the COmON Foundation to build proof of concept on the ground by using the framework. Ferwerda was CEO of Commonland between 2013-2024, which now operates globally in more than 20 countries. In May 2024, Ferwerda handed over his executive responsibilities to a new managing director who will continue to grow the organisation. As Founder within the organisation, Ferwerda will guide the board and executive team on global policy, strategy, fundraising, mentoring landscape partners and inspiring future generations to promote a holistic landscape restoration industry.
He dedicates his time as thoughtleader, advisor and board member within various organizations in the field of nature, biodiversity, agriculture and sustainability, such as the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management, Future for Nature Foundation, 1000 Landscapes for One Billion People, World Economic Forum, 1T.org, Princess Irene NatureCollege Foundation, Regen10, the Scientific Council for Integral Sustainable Agriculture and Nutrition and the Charles Darwin Foundation.
In 2016, Ferwerda was awarded first place in the Sustainable 100, the list of Dutch people with the most influence on the environment and sustainability. In 2019 he received the Dutch sustainable landscape award. In 2023 he was awarded the Wubbo Ockels Brandaris Oeuvre Prize, for individuals who exhibit courage, perseverance, and imagination in their tireless dedication to building a sustainable society.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willem-ferwerda-1540135/
Publications
Article (8)
Popular (8)
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Ferwerda, W. (2024). The Trillion-Dollar Promise Of A Landscape Restoration Industry. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeseq/2024/03/01/the-trillion-dollar-promise-of-a-landscape-restoration-industry/?sh=33121e61fdbc
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Ferwerda, W. (2023). We must tackle global risks in an integrated way – here’s how. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/03/we-must-tackle-global-risks-in-an-integrated-way-here-s-how/
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Ferwerda, W. (2022). War, Food, Fertilisers and Restoration. Medium. https://willemferwerda.medium.com/the-war-in-ukraine-food-fertilisers-and-landscape-restoration-3b7115d118db
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Ferwerda, W. (2021). How the pandemic leads us to landscape ethics. Medium. https://willemferwerda.medium.com/how-the-pandemic-leads-us-to-landscape-ethics-56239ac7f6bb
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Ferwerda, W. (2020). The EU Green Deal requires a Landscape Approach. Medium. https://willemferwerda.medium.com/the-eu-green-deal-requires-a-landscape-approach-ebf37fa706da
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Ferwerda, W., & Moolenaar, S. (2016). Four Returns: A Long-term Holistic Framework for Integrated Landscape Management and Restoration Involving Business. The Solutions Journal. https://thesolutionsjournal.com/four-returns-long-term-holistic-framework-integrated-landscape-management-restoration-involving-business/
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Ferwerda, W. (2013). How the Ecosystem Approach supports “Cooperation in a Fragmented World”. Medium. https://willemferwerda.medium.com/how-the-ecosystem-approach-supports-cooperation-in-a-fragmented-world-ee6552b146e6
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Ferwerda, W. (2012). Ferwerda maakt strijd tegen CO2 zichtbaar. P-Plus. https://www.p-plus.nl/nl/nieuws/ferwerda
Book (2)
Popular (1)
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Commonland (2024). The 4 Returns Framework in Practice: A guidebook for holistic landscape restoration. https://4returns.commonland.com/lesson/introduction/
Professional (1)
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Ferwerda, W. (2015). Four Returns, Three Zones, 20 Years: a systemic and practical approach to scale up landscape restoration by businesses and investors to create a restoration industry. Elsevier. https://commonland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Land-restoration-reclaiming-landscapes-for-a-sustainable-future-by-Chabay-Ilan-Frick-Martin-Helgeson-Jennifer-Elseviers-2015.pdf
Conference proceeding (1)
Professional (1)
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Ferwerda, W. (2014). Inspiration in a Business Model for Ecosystem Restoration: Four Returns from Landscape Restoration. In Proceedings of the Second International Forum of the Qur’anic Botanic Garden (pp. 121-135) https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2015-056.pdf
Digital or Visual Products (20)
Academic (3)
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Ferwerda, W. (2020). Conservation, Ecosystem Restoration & Regenerative Development - A conversation w/ Willem Ferwerda. Digital or Visual Products https://youtu.be/o4vXqqMHrWo?si=Mr6oju8in3YMT7pl
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Ferwerda, W. (2016). How business schools can contribute to ecosystem restoration. Digital or Visual Products https://www.rsm.nl/discovery/2016/how-business-schools-can-contribute-to-ecosystem-restoration/
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Ferwerda, W. (2012). Sustainability Matters: Willem Ferwerda. Digital or Visual Products, Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), EUR. https://youtu.be/xJiLKJDO9F0?si=OvSZbxnr9xLoJFR1
Popular (7)
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Ferwerda, W. (2024). Kickstarted the restoration industry with Commonland 11 years ago, now finally big money shows interest, but we need billions. Digital or Visual Products https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/2024/08/13/willem-ferweda/
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Ferwerda, W. (2024). Episode 10: Landscape Scale Regeneration: 100 MM Hectares by 2024!. Digital or Visual Products, CapInstitute. https://youtu.be/JC1BtaSfLR4
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Ferwerda, W. (2024). Commonland's 4 Returns: A Path to Sustainable Landscapes, with Willem Ferwerda. Digital or Visual Products, Designing Nature's Half. https://www.designingnatureshalf.com/the-landscape-conservation-podcast/commonland-4-returns-framework-willem-ferwerda
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Ferwerda, W. (2023). Springtij 2023 - Wubbo Ockels Brandaris Prijs. Digital or Visual Products, Springtij Forum. https://youtu.be/oGTA-O098Y0?si=3OV_xD2LimM7PwnL
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Ferwerda, W. (2023). Zo zorgt Commonland voor grootschalig natuurherstel. Digital or Visual Products, BNR. https://www.bnr.nl/podcast/duurzaam/10514020/zo-zorgt-commonland-voor-grootschalig-natuurherstel
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Ferwerda, W. (2022). De Speer - Kees Klomp in gesprek met Willem Ferwerda. Digital or Visual Products, Circl Podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode/43I897Y1YaDY3rKqzwtmQM
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Ferwerda, W. (2022). The Decade Podcast: Restoring our Planet, 2022. Digital or Visual Products, The Decade. https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/the-decade/episodes/34-Restoring-our-Planet-with-Willem-Ferwerda-e1gg432/a-a7m2ps8
Professional (10)
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Ferwerda, W. (2021). Willem Ferwerda - Een verdienmodel voor mens en natuur; over economie en ecologie. Digital or Visual Products, Purpose Minds. https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/bj-prins/episodes/Willem-Ferwerda---Een-verdienmodel-voor-mens-en-natuur-over-economie-en-ecologie-e1a0hc0
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Ferwerda, W. (2021). Willem Ferwerda over economie en ecologie. Digital or Visual Products, CirclNL. https://youtu.be/M-lO8PZh7Hs?si=hwWBpjibNvsHcOkn
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Ferwerda, W. (2021). COVID & the Wolf: Willem Ferwerda on making landscape restoration & Spirit the heart of economy . Digital or Visual Products, The Regen Narration. https://www.regennarration.com/episodes/087-covid-and-the-wolf
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Ferwerda, W. (2021). Explanation of the 4 Returns Framework. Digital or Visual Products, Commonland.
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Ferwerda, W. (2020). Ecologische en financiële Winst met Willem Ferwerda. Digital or Visual Products, Ecosofie. https://ecosofie.net/36-ecologische-en-financiele-winst-met-willem-ferwerda/
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Ferwerda, W., & Halvorson, S. (2020). "Ask an Expert" with Willem Ferwerda and Sharla Halvorson. Digital or Visual Products, IKEA Foundation. https://www.youtube.com/live/LocqJ31P-HA?si=LjiFJYfYp3823CvA
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Ferwerda, W. (2019). Willem Ferwerda. Digital or Visual Products, Ecosystem Restoration Deep Dive Webinar. https://youtu.be/4ry8_ef6hVI?si=oZQrIpafgGdp8yBu
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Ferwerda, W. (2018). ep. 28: Willem Ferwerda - CEO of Commonland. Digital or Visual Products, Sourcing Matters.show. https://sourcingmatters.libsyn.com/ep-28-willem-ferwerda-ceo-of-commonland
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Ferwerda, W. (2017). Duurzame Troonrede 2017 door Willem Ferwerda. Digital or Visual Products, Duurzame Dinsdag. https://www.duurzamedinsdag.nl/Duurzame-lintjes/Historie-Duurzame-Troonredes/Willem-Ferwerda-2017
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Ferwerda, W. (2016). Ecorestaurateur Willem Ferwerda duurzaamste Nederlander. Digital or Visual Products, P Plus. https://www.p-plus.nl/nl/nieuws/willem-ferwerda-1
Other contribution (4)
Academic (1)
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Ferwerda, W. (2015, Sept 3). The need for an ecosystem restoration industry, based on a holistic approach of four returns. Dick de Zeeuw Foundation. https://www.dickdezeeuw.nl/nl/wp/dick-de-zeeuw-lecture-2015-with-willem-ferwerda?lang=en
Popular (2)
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Ferwerda, W. (2024, Feb 29). Un pequeño ejército de 500 agricultores y activistas combate la desertificación del sudeste peninsular. https://elpais.com/clima-y-medio-ambiente/2024-02-29/un-pequeno-ejercito-de-500-agricultores-y-activistas-combate-la-desertificacion-del-sudeste-peninsular.html
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Ferwerda, W. (2024). Klimaat effecten van meer natuur in white paper “Verbind klimaat en biodiversiteit voor samenleving, economie en natuur”(2024) Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Universities. https://www.leiden-delft-erasmus.nl/uploads/default/attachments/LDE Whitepaper Biodiversiteit en klimaat_7.pdf
Professional (1)
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Ferwerda, W. (1987). The Influence of Potato Cultivation on the Natural Bunchgrass Páramo in the Colombian Cordillera Oriental.
Report (9)
Professional (9)
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Bertels, J., Lear, E., Gutierrez, V., Ding, H., Ferwerda, W., Krolopp, A., Spors, F., Zimmer, D., Chatterton, P., Bery, A., del Valle, C., Ewerton, M., Galgani, P., Guarnaschelli, S., Hart, S., Herrera, D., Kerkhoven, D., Kleiterp, N., Kiss, E., ... Zabel, A. (2023). Towards financing large-scale holistic landscape restoration in Europe: Recommendations for EU policy actors to attain inspirational, social, natural, and financial returns. Commonland. https://commonland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/UTF-8Commonland-Financing20Holistic20Landscape20Restoration_0220Digital.pdf
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Gutierrez, V., Ferwerda, W., Cortina-Sergarra, J., Ding, H., Ghazoul, J., Griffin, C., Hill, M., Illife, R., Krolopp, A., Muller, K., Nuvelstijn, P., del Río Murillo, A., van Waas, M., Vargas, A., Worms, P., Zimmer, D., Bertels, J., Díaz, A., Walz, K., ... Soto, C. (2022). Recommendations on delivering the European Green Deal through landscape restoration: inspirational, social, natural and financial returns: A policy brief published by Commonland and the Landscape Finance Lab. Commonland. https://commonland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EU-Recommendations-Brief-on-Holistic-Landscape-Restoration-FINAL.pdf
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van der Weijden, W. J., Lammerts van Bueren, E. T., Seidell, J. C., Staman, J., Ferwerda, W., Huber, A., Datema, A., Jetten, T. H., Kranstauber, H., Lauwers, L., Blom, P., Garssen, J., & Wijffels, H. H. F. (2021). Gezondheid in drievoud: Naar een gezond voedselsysteem voor planeet, consument en boer. Wetenschappelijke Raad voor Integrale Duurzame Landbouw en Voeding. https://www.ridlv.nl/sites/default/files/RIDLV_Rapport-sept2021_Gezondheid_in_Drievoud.pdf
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Dudley, N., Baker, C., Chatterton, P., Ferwerda, W., Gutierrez, V., & Madgwick, J. (2021). The 4 Returns Framework for Landscape Restoration. UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Report. https://www.commonland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/4-Returns-for-Landscape-Restoration-June-2021-UN-Decade-on-Ecosystem-Restoration.pdf
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Ferwerda, W., & Gutierrez, V. (2021). Large-Scale Landscape Restoration in Spain. in Ghazoul J. and Schweizer D. (eds). 2021 Forests for the future: Restoration success at landscape scale - what will it take and what have we learned? Prince Bernard Chair Reports (issue 1). Series editors Almond, R.E.A., Grooten, M. and Van Kuijk, M., WWF-Netherlands, Zeist and Utrecht University, Netherlands. https://www.uu.nl/sites/default/files/Prince%20Bernard%20Chair%20Restoration%20report.pdf
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Ferwerda, W., & Schoenmaker, D. (2020). Financiële sector kan transitie naar duurzame landbouw versnellen. https://esb.nu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/RFNJ0JayNwKHQcp4DloIqSzDwLc.pdf
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Bertels, J., & Ferwerda, W. (2020). Calculating the Value of 4 Returns Landscape Restoration: Towards a comprehensive method to put monetary value on financial, natural, social and inspirational returns: Based on seven years of field experience. Commonland. https://www.commonland.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Commonland-Landscape-Valuation-Report.pdf
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Brasser, A., & Ferwerda, W. (2015). 4 returns from landscape restoration. A systemic approach to restore degraded landscapes. https://www.commonland.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Commonland-Publication.pdf
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Ferwerda, W. (2012). Nature Resilience: ecological restoration by partners and business for next generations. https://portals.iucn.org/library/efiles/documents/2012-068.pdf
Teaching case (1)
Academic (1)
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Ferwerda, W., Comiteau, L., & Yue, T., (2014). The Business of Ecosystem Restoration, No. 714-029-1, 9 p., RSM Case Development Centre No. 714-029-1 https://www.thecasecentre.org/products/view?id=121428
Activities
Additional activities (1)
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Royal Address on SustainabilityWillem Ferwerda (Speaker)05 Sep 2017
Activity: Talk or presentation > Invited talk (Professional)
Featured in the media
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Commonland - Willem Ferwerda
A third of the Earth's land surface is so ecologically depleted that the local economy is collapsing and people are moving away. With Commonland, Willem Ferwerda is reversing this process. In 23 countries, the organization is…
Thursday, 28 November 2024 -
Willem Ferwerda – Kickstarted the restoration industry with Commonland 11 years ago, now finally big money shows interest, but we need billions
A conversation with Willem Ferwerda, one of the founders of the regeneration space, which barely existed 11 years ago when he started Commonland. How and why is it so fundamental to take a landscape view and get all the…
Tuesday, 13 August 2024 -
Connect climate and biodiversity for society, economy and nature
These days, scientists and policymakers often view climate and biodiversity as two separate things. Adopting a systems approach, which means we view the causes of biodiversity loss and climate change in context, enables us to…
Wednesday, 1 May 2024 -
The 4 Returns Framework in Practice: A guidebook for holistic landscape restoration
This guidebook shares the lessons learned from more than a decade of testing the 4 Returns Framework, to help you get started, move faster, overcome common hurdles, and create greater impact with your landscape initiative. We need…
Wednesday, 1 May 2024 -
Landscape Scale Regeneration: 100 MM Hectares by 2024!
A discussion of the challenges and opportunities of scaling a regenerative approach that reconnects entire ecosystems, including people, communities, and businesses, with life.
Tuesday, 30 April 2024 -
The Trillion-Dollar Promise Of A Landscape Restoration Industry
Willem Ferwerda writes about long-term investment in holistic landscape management and restoration being the key to future-proofing the planet while creating sustainable livelihoods for communities. …
Friday, 1 March 2024 -
A small army of 500 farmers and activists is fighting desertification in the southeast of the peninsula
Willem Ferwerda is quoted in this article about an ecological restoration project that includes the planting of 240,000 trees, shrubs and plant covers on crops in the south east of Spain.
Thursday, 29 February 2024 -
The Landscape Conversation Podcast
The Landscape Conversation Podcast. Commonland's 4 Returns: A Path to Sustainable Landscapes, 2024
Tuesday, 16 January 2024 -
Towards financing large-scale holistic landscape restoration in Europe
Recommendations for EU policy actors to attain inspirational, social, natural and financial returns
Friday, 1 December 2023 -
Wubbo Ockels Brandaris Prijs
Willem Ferwerda's speech at Springtij Wubbo Ockels Brandaris Award (in Dutch), 2023
Tuesday, 26 September 2023 -
This is how Commonland ensures large-scale nature restoration
Landscapes all over the world are being ruined by human activity. Conservationist Willem Ferwerda developed a model to turn the tide with Commonland.
Monday, 29 May 2023 -
We must tackle global risks in an integrated way – here’s how
The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report identifies 10 interrelated risks facing humanity in the next decade. Landscape degradation is central to these risks as both a catalyst and cause of human-induced climate change and…
Monday, 13 March 2023 -
How the Ecosystem Approach supports “Cooperation in a Fragmented World”
Willem Ferwerda writes about what should be on the minds of the world leaders convening at the World Economic Forum in order to heal our ecosystems, safeguard biodiversity and build a more equitable and collaborative world. …
Tuesday, 17 January 2023 -
Kees Klomp in conversation with Willem Ferwerda
Willem Ferwerda talks about the approach of Commonland , but especially about the power of biodiversity and how Willem sees that people have lost their connection with nature.
Monday, 24 October 2022 -
Recommendations on delivering the European Green Deal through landscape restoration
We live in a period of instability: suffering from the impacts of a crippling pandemic, climate change and witnessing an accelerating loss of biodiversity. The degradation of our life support system – our planetary ecosystems – is…
Sunday, 1 May 2022 -
Restoring our planet with Willem Ferwerda
One in a series of podcasts presenting a holistic learning journey about sustainability and regeneration. Talking to experts about how we can transform humanity to thrive within the means of the living planet. …
Wednesday, 30 March 2022 -
War, Food, Fertilisers and Restoration
What high food prices and soaring demand for fertilisers mean for addressing the biodiversity crisis through integrated landscape management.
Wednesday, 9 March 2022 -
Willem Ferwerda - a business model for people and nature; about economics and ecology
'The profit model is negative for nature', according to Willem Ferwerda. But what if you could change 'risk and return' so that nature is restored instead of destroyed? Willem explains how his organisation Commonland does this. …
Tuesday, 9 November 2021 -
Health threefold: Towards a healthy food system for planet, consumer and farmer
A report for the RIDLV - De Wetenschappelijke Raad voor Integrale Duurzame Landbouw en Voeding (The Scientific Council for Integrated Sustainable Agriculture and Food)
Wednesday, 1 September 2021 -
Willem Ferwerda over economie en ecologie
According to Willem Ferwerda, CEO of Commonland and creator of the "4 Returns Framework" it is possible to preserve and restore the landscape in such a way that a balance is created between people and nature. A model of value…
Wednesday, 25 August 2021 -
COVID & the Wolf
Willem Ferwerda on making landscape restoration, and Spirit at the heart of economy.
Monday, 5 July 2021 -
Explanation of the 4 Returns Framework
Willem Ferwerda explains the principles of the four returns framework for landscape restoration.
Wednesday, 23 June 2021 -
Restoration success at landscape scale: what will it take and what have we learned?
A year on from the beginning of a devastating pandemic that swept the world, and at the start of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, we know that we need to fundamentally change the way we relate to our natural…
Saturday, 1 May 2021 -
UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Report 2021-2030
Concern about the environment has moved decisively from niche to mainstream. Although carbon markets are coming up to speed, shareholders are asking business to become carbon neutral, massive tree planting campaigns have started,…
Saturday, 1 May 2021 -
How the pandemic leads us to landscape ethics
Willem Ferwerda's blogpost about interdependency found within natural systems and policy for biodiversity and climate.
Sunday, 4 April 2021 -
36. Ecologische en financiële Winst met Willem Ferwerda
Discussion of Willem's inspiring vision in which he tells us how nature can generate money in the long term. Willem and his team know how to turn degraded areas and “man made” deserts into lively areas again. …
Thursday, 1 October 2020 -
Conservation, Ecosystem Restoration & Regenerative Development - A conversation with Willem Ferwerda
Willem Ferwerda in conversation about national initiatives towards landscape restoration and the different types of return on investment.
Friday, 7 August 2020 -
The EU Green Deal requires a Landscape Approach
Willem Ferwerda's blogpost about taking a landscape approach, which he says is missing from the EU Green Deal.
Tuesday, 16 June 2020 -
"Ask an Expert" with Willem Ferwerda and Sharla Halvorson
Food: the hidden key to landscape restoration and a planet positive future. That's the topic that IKEA Foundation Programme Manager Annelies Withofs discussed with Willem and Sharla.
Thursday, 4 June 2020 -
Calculating the Value of 4 Returns of Large-scale Holistic Landscape Restoration
This publication introduces a comprehensive method developed by Commonland and its partners, together with KPMG, to calculate the value of financial, natural, social and inspirational returns (4 Returns) of landscape…
Wednesday, 1 January 2020 -
From farmer to landscape builder
Lecture by Willem Ferwerda on the occasion of receiving the Groeneveld Prize 2019.
Friday, 17 May 2019 -
Ecosystem Restoration Deep Dive Webinar,
Willem shares the story of Commonland and goes into some details about their various endeavours in the world and how they facilitate council amongst stakeholders.
Tuesday, 22 January 2019 -
Episode 28: Willem Ferwerda - CEO of Commonland
Willem Ferwerda taling about the goal of Commonland, to realize large-scale landscape restoration with local farmers, land-users and experts based on sustainable business cases.
Tuesday, 31 July 2018 -
Redesigning economics based on ecology
Willem Ferwerda, Executive Fellow at the Rotterdam School of Management and special advisor to the IUCN, explains why the restoration of damaged ecosystems is an economic imperative.
Friday, 3 March 2017 -
Eco-restorer Willem Ferwerda most sustainable Dutchman
'Nature restorer' Willem Ferwerda has been named Most Sustainable Dutch by the jury of Trouw's Sustainable 100. In 2012, P+ published a portrait of him, in which he outlined the impetus for his plans for eco-restoration, his…
Tuesday, 11 October 2016 -
Four Returns: A Long-term Holistic Framework for Integrated Landscape Management and Restoration Involving Business
Willem Ferwerda outlines the steps required for restoring landscapes.
Friday, 16 September 2016 -
How business schools can contribute to ecosystem restoration
Ferwerda thinks the academic knowledge of a business school offers gains for the environment and can help farmers in regions affected by climate change.
Thursday, 7 July 2016 -
4 returns, 3 zones, 20 years : a holistic framework for ecological restoration by people and business for next generations
A holistic and practical business framework that uses a common language, and – based on science, technology and social stakeholder management tools -- aims to establish Ecosystem Restoration Partnerships between people living on…
Friday, 29 January 2016 -
Land Restoration Reclaiming Landscapes for a Sustainable Future
A report published by Academic Press, an imprint of Elsevier.
Friday, 1 January 2016 -
Sustainable Throne (Duurzame Troonrede) Speech 2017 by Willem Ferwerda
'Addressing ecosystem degradation is the most important task of humanity in this century. It is about the restoration economy: an economy that is not, as it is now, slightly less bad, but in which the restoration of ecological…
Saturday, 5 September 2015 -
Dick de Zeeuw Lecture 2015 with Willem Ferwerda - The need for an ecosystem restoration industry, based on a holistic approach of four returns
Willem Ferwerda talked about the need for an ecosystem restoration industry, based on a holistic approach of four returns: inspirational capital, social capital, natural capital, and financial capital. Commonland is an…
Thursday, 3 September 2015 -
4 RETURNS FROM LANDSCAPE RESTORATION A systemic and practical approach to restore degraded landscapes
A systemic and practical approach to restore degraded landscapes
Thursday, 1 January 2015 -
INSPIRATION IN A BUSINESS MODEL FOR ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION: FOUR RETURNS FROM LANDSCAPE RESTORATION
Willem Ferwerda's lecture: Inspiration in a business model for ecosystem restoration: four returns from landscape restoration
Tuesday, 22 April 2014 -
IUCN Nature Resilience: Ecological Restoration by Partners in Business for Next Generations
A report for the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A plea for the establishment of an international mechanism that actively creates collaborative Ecosystem Restoration Partnerships between businesses, investors,…
Thursday, 1 November 2012 -
Sustainability Matters - Willem Ferwerda
Willem is interviewed for RSM's Sustainability Matters feature.
Wednesday, 31 October 2012 -
Ferwerda makes the fight against CO2 visible
To make the fight against too much of the greenhouse gas CO2 visible, we need to make degenerated areas green again. To be precise: 2 billion hectares. That is the new mission of Willem Ferwerda, former director of the IUCN …
Saturday, 20 October 2012 -
Financial sector can accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture
Willem Ferwerda and Dirk Schoenmaker write about the financial sector's role in the transition to sustainable agriculture in the Dutch economics journal ESB.
Featured on RSM Discovery
