Demographic megatrends: sustainability & investment - a conversation series with Dr Peter Matanle - Episode 1

Across three episodes, James Doyle, from the Responsible Investment team at Evelyn Partners, sits down with Dr Peter Matanle, a leading authority on demographic and depopulation change, to explore how demographic shifts (ageing populations, shrinking workforces, and depopulation) are reshaping sustainability, along with the implications for biodiversity, equity and inclusion.

Depopulation refers to sustained population decline over many years, typically driven by low birth rates, ageing and net emigration.

NB: insights are based on emerging research and correlation / conclusions are tentative – further research is needed.

Depopulation doesn’t automatically mean nature’s recovery.  Drawing on Peters collaborative research with Japanese colleagues recently published in Nature Sustainability and Geographical, this episode explores how human depopulation in Japan is influencing biodiversity, 
and where investors might find opportunities in nature-positive strategies.

In this episode, James and Peter unpack why biodiversity can still decline even with fewer people, providing the following insights:

• Gradual depopulation in Japan is reshaping land use - fragmented landscapes, infrastructure sprawl, and monoculture farming can impact biodiversity and land use patterns
• By 2050, more than 80 countries will experience sustained depopulation, marking it a major 21st-century megatrend
• Depopulation vanguard countries - Japan, Thailand, Italy, and Spain serve as examples for regions facing demographic shifts and land-use challenges
• Investors should consider land-use changes, biodiversity risks, & opportunities in regenerative agriculture and renewable energy
• They also touch on why findings remain early and context specific and the need for further research