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 first Nature Benchmark Methodology, incorporating the feedback received from our Expert Review Committee and nearly 100 organisations.

A new methodology for 2026

The latest methodology update took place in October 2024, which will be used to assess companies for the 2026 Nature Benchmark. More information and PDF version available here.

Ocean Benchmark

The idea of introducing a benchmark that shines a spotlight on the ocean economy emerged from WBA’s Nature Benchmark results in 2022, which showed that corporate action to maintain and promote marine biodiversity is lagging behind action for land and freshwater resources.

Driven by the urgency of filling this gap, in 2026 WBA is planning to publish its first Ocean Benchmark, assessing 125 companies in key sectors dependent on oceans, including seafood, for their contribution towards halting and reversing nature loss in marine ecosystems.