From helping Mongolia’s goat herders produce cashmere more efficiently to counting insects on “biodiversity plots” planted on farms, some of the world’s biggest brands are blazing a trail with innovative efforts to nurture nature.

Sustainability researchers say businesses have shown a surge of interest in limiting the harm their operations do to the planet, as scientists have outlined more clearly the threats to forests, water, soil, plants, animals, birds and people.

“For decades we have been trying to get companies on board with this journey, but in the past six to 12 months I have never seen so much interest,” said Eva Zabey, executive director of Business for Nature, a global coalition lobbying for stronger government policies and more corporate action...