Nature Benchmark

Aim

In 2021, the scope of WBA’s former ‘circular transformation’ was expanded to cover nature and biodiversity as a recognition of the need for greater understanding, transparency and accountability of business impact on our environment.

The nature transformation examines how the world’s most influential companies contribute to stable and resilient ecosystems, which enable humanity and nature to co-exist within planetary boundaries on biodiversity, climate, land, oceans and water. 

The benchmark assessments measure and track corporate performance towards a nature-positive future by measuring how companies are reducing their impact and even regenerating ecosystems.

The level of action and progress these large businesses make will directly affect whether we achieve the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Methodology

The Nature Benchmark measured 816 companies across more than 20 industries between three initial research cycles between 2022 and 2024.

During the first quarter of 2022, WBA published a draft methodology and conducted a public consultation to map existing behaviours and assess the practical action possible.

Following the public consultation, in April 2022 we published the Nature Benchmark Methodology, incorporating the feedback received from our Expert Review Committee and nearly 100 organisations. The next methodology update will take place later in 2024.

Ocean Spotlight

After the results of the Nature Benchmark, WBA noticed that some seafood and non-seafood companies (shipping, apparel agriculture) do not seem to pay enough attention to their impact on marine ecosystems. Therefore in 2026, WBA is planning to expand its Nature Benchmark work with an additional ‘Ocean Spotlight’ assessment, which will measure at least 100 companies in various key sectors, including seafood, on their contribution to halt and reverse nature loss in marine ecosystems.