There is a lack of simplified biodiversity metrics

There is no shortage of targets and indicators that measure biodiversity that are being used or proposed. However, many of these are difficult for companies to apply at a local level or to aggregate over all of their operations and value chains. Businesses require metrics which are credible, practical to use, easy to understand and relevant to their industry.

At the highest level, the key reference point for companies are the Aichi Biodiversity targets (2011–2020) as monitored by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

What can businesses do?

Companies are encouraged to report against the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework, which includes a number of biodiversity indicators. These are not all well designed to assess natural capital health for ecosystem service delivery on productive land. Where necessary, businesses must challenge existing metrics and communicate what they need and want of measurement tools. Biodiversity is complex, but businesses need to report upon their dependency, impact and responses in a simple way if they are to better incorporate biodiversity into their decision-making.