Foreword – enabling nature intelligence

The report frames nature as a foundational input to business value creation through ecosystem services. Accelerating biodiversity loss and climate impacts are increasing physical, transition and systemic financial risks. Investor scrutiny, policy commitments under the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and new reporting standards are driving urgent demand for timely, comparable and decision-useful nature-related data.

Context for this roadmap

Since publication of the TNFD recommendations in 2023, more than 500 organisations across over 50 jurisdictions have begun assessing and reporting nature-related risks, representing trillions of dollars in market capitalisation and assets under management. Earlier TNFD research identified fragmented data coverage, inconsistent methodologies, spatial and temporal gaps, and limited relevance for corporate decision-making. A 2023 scoping study concluded there is a market failure in nature data provision and identified the potential value of a distributed Nature Data Public Facility (NDPF) that connects users to existing datasets rather than duplicating collection.

Market needs for nature-related data

Feedback from more than 240 organisations piloting the TNFD LEAP approach highlights persistent challenges. Users face high time and cost burdens navigating fragmented datasets, paywalls and complex licensing. Data quality and resolution vary significantly across geographies and biomes, undermining confidence. Comparability across companies, sectors and time periods is weak, limiting investment analysis. Data is often outdated, with limited transparency on metadata, and few datasets have been tested for audit and assurance. Poor internal asset-location data within organisations further constrains effective assessment. These challenges are particularly acute for small and medium-sized enterprises and firms operating in biodiversity-rich emerging markets.

Responding to market needs – a roadmap for further action

The TNFD proposes a phased approach centred on pilot testing during 2025. Three priorities are identified: finalising a composite set of data principles; specifying and funding priority upgrades to upstream data collection and aggregation; and beta testing a NDPF to improve downstream access. Pilot testing will assess existing datasets against TNFD, Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) and Nature Positive Initiative metrics, focusing on state-of-nature inputs critical to the LEAP Locate and Evaluate phases. Findings will inform decisions in late 2025 or early 2026 on whether to establish a permanent facility or upgrade existing platforms.

A principles-based approach

The roadmap integrates scientific standards, open-data principles and corporate reporting requirements into a composite framework. Key principles include transparency, accuracy, accessibility, relevance, timeliness, completeness, comparability, interoperability, clarity and ethical safeguards. Recent assurance guidance, including IAASB ISSA 5000, reinforces the need for verifiable, neutral and understandable data. Applying these principles is intended to improve comparability, reliability and assurance for corporate reporting and target setting.

Investing in upstream data collection and aggregation capabilities

With reporting metrics now defined, the report identifies this as the appropriate point to prioritise investment in data gaps. Pilot testing will focus on core TNFD indicators on land, freshwater and ocean use change and ecosystem condition, alongside SBTN and draft Nature Positive Initiative metrics. The TNFD emphasises the need for substantial, long-term public, philanthropic and private funding to improve global data coverage, quality and consistency, led by established scientific and intergovernmental data providers.

Improving downstream accessibility to decision-useful nature data

The proposed NDPF is envisaged as a distributed-access facility providing open entry to qualified datasets while maintaining data sovereignty. It would prioritise open access to baseline data, consistent metadata, interoperability with existing platforms and connectivity for downstream analytics providers. The aim is to reduce user time and cost burdens, support innovation and improve comparability and assurance without displacing private value-added services.

Request for feedback on this roadmap

The roadmap is released for public consultation, with feedback sought from stakeholders across the nature data value chain. Consultation outcomes will inform final design, governance and funding arrangements for subsequent phases.

Expressions of interest – pilot testing

Data providers, corporates, financial institutions and intermediaries are invited to express interest in participating in pilot testing during 2025. Pilot participants will help test data principles, datasets and prototype NDPF functionality, contributing evidence to shape future investment and implementation decisions.