---
title: overview
canonical_url: https://ensurance.app/manual/overview
markdown_url: https://ensurance.app/manual/overview.md
subtitle: the system at a glance
section: overview
---

# overview

*the system at a glance*

Natural Capital Ensurance transforms how we value and fund nature—ensuring the benefits it provides to all beings.

## the problem

Society and the economy are 100% dependent on nature. Yet this foundation is in rapid decline, nearing irreversible tipping points. The gap: **$1 trillion annually** needed for biodiversity and natural capital.

Traditional approaches fail because:
- Insurance is reactive (compensates after damage)
- Philanthropy can't scale to the gap
- Markets don't price ecosystem services

## the solution

Ensurance is proactive protection. It safeguards ecosystems from day one with a clear path to permanent protection, restoration, and ongoing stewardship funding.

| Approach | Timing | Scale | Outcome |
|----------|--------|-------|---------|
| Insurance | After damage | Individual claims | Compensation |
| Philanthropy | Opportunistic | Grant-limited | Project-based |
| **Ensurance** | From day one | Protocol-wide | Permanent protection |

Ensurance operates as a **member-owned blended-finance protocol** where two types of capital work together. Members invest as flow investors (risk reduction and resilience) or stock investors (yield secured by real assets) — or both. Participants can engage via external clients. Together, they move natural assets toward permanent protection.

## how it works

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  NATURAL ASSETS                                     │
│  The foundation — ecosystems, species, watersheds   │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  AGENTS                                             │
│  The actors — people, groups, AIs, stewards         │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  INSTRUMENTS                                        │
│  Coins (general) and Certificates (specific)        │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  MECHANISMS                                         │
│  Ensurance, proceeds, pools                         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

**General ensurance** (coins) — Nature-linked currencies where market activity indirectly funds ecosystems.

**Specific ensurance** (certificates) — Yield-bearing instruments that directly fund natural assets and stewardship.

## quick start

| If you want to... | Start here |
|-------------------|-----------|
| Understand the philosophy | [approach](/manual/approach) |
| Understand natural capital | [natural-capital](/manual/natural-capital) |
| Understand natural assets | [natural-assets](/manual/natural-assets) |
| Decide how to hold a whole natural asset | [natural-assets](/manual/natural-assets) |
| Understand the funding model | [ensurance](/manual/ensurance) |
| Understand membership | [duna](/manual/duna) |
| Participate as an agent | [agents](/manual/agents) |
| Hold ensurance instruments | [coins](/manual/coins), [certificates](/manual/certificates) |
| Understand value flow | [proceeds](/manual/proceeds) |
| Ask a question or take an action | [/act](/act), [for agents and operators](/manual/llm) |
| Fund work already underway | [supplemental ensurance](/manual/supplemental-ensurance) |
| Build on the protocol | [api](/manual/api) |

## core outcomes

- **Reduced risk** — Proactive protection before damage occurs
- **Increased resilience** — Ecosystems maintained for long-term function
- **Greater wellbeing** — Benefits flowing to all life, including humans

These investments secure real assets delivering financial, ecological, social, and cultural returns—while honoring nature's intrinsic value.