Library | ESG issues
Biodiversity
Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life on Earth, forming the ecosystems that support human well-being and economic activity. All industries rely on healthy ecosystems for resources and services, making biodiversity preservation critical for economic stability. Biodiversity loss introduces material risks including supply chain disruptions, regulatory challenges, and reputational damage, while also creating investment opportunities in biodiversity restoration and natural resource management.
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Mapping the landscape of net-zero nature-positive finance: A review of definitions and frameworks
This report provides a comprehensive review of definitions and frameworks for net-zero, nature-positive, and climate-nature finance. It identifies alignment areas and implementation gaps, advocating for integrated risk and investment approaches to achieve global sustainability goals under the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Toward transformation in finance: Seeds of nature-positive futures
This research examines "finance for nature seeds" — innovative initiatives aimed at transforming the financial sector to reverse nature loss. By analysing 92 global projects, the study identifies diverse approaches to funding nature stewardship, highlighting current reliance on market-based mechanisms and the potential for inclusive, value-pluralistic financial systems.
The emancipatory potential of biodiversity reporting: Evidence from the United Kingdom and South Africa
This research evaluates the emancipatory potential of biodiversity reporting within the United Kingdom and South Africa. Analysing disclosures from 2018 to 2022, it finds significant increases in reporting intensity. The study presents a principles-based framework to distinguish between compliance-oriented disclosures and transformative, action-oriented environmental reporting.
Tropical rainforest loss slowed in 2025, but fire is a growing threat to forests worldwide
Global tropical primary forest loss decreased 36% in 2025, though 4.3 million hectares were destroyed. Significant policy-driven reductions occurred in Brazil, but global deforestation remains 70% above levels required for 2030 targets. Fires drove 42% of global tree cover loss, with severe impacts in Canada and Europe.
EJF's squid fisheries series
This report series examines global squid fisheries, focusing on governance gaps, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, labour and human rights issues, supply chain transparency, and fisheries management. It analyses risks across key squid fisheries and explores policy and regulatory measures to support more sustainable and accountable fishing practices.
Looking beyond greenhouse gas emissions: Interlinkages between the commercial vehicle industry and nature
Published by WWF Sweden in collaboration with TRATON GROUP, this report examines the commercial vehicles sector's interlinkages with nature across its full value chain. It analyses six key commodities and value chain stages, identifies nature-related risks for businesses, and calls for sector-wide collaborative action towards a nature-positive future.
Potential business cases in measuring biodiversity state and impact in agriculture
A joint Mistra FinBio and Svensk Kolinlagring report identifying three business cases linking biodiversity data to agricultural finance: baseline databanks for bank and insurance risk assessment, and an MRV system for biodiversity claims. It highlights the financing gap in regenerative agriculture and outlines potential biodiversity-linked financial products.
Applying planetary boundaries: Effective risk management and value creation
This report examines how the Planetary Boundaries Framework translates nine critical global processes into material risks and value creation opportunities for investors and corporates. Seven of nine boundaries have already been breached. Tools, frameworks, and an investor engagement plan are outlined to support Earth-system-aligned capital allocation and long-term value creation.
Community engagement, nature and financial materiality: An evidence review on the financial effects of engagement with indigenous peoples and local communities on nature-related issues
This Shift report reviews the financial effects of corporate engagement with Indigenous Peoples and local communities on nature-related issues. Drawing on over 1,200 cases and approximately 40 publications, it finds that engagement quality is financially material, with poor engagement linked to significant operational, legal, and reputational costs.
The Ocean framework: An investor guide to navigating ocean risks and opportunities
This investor guide examines ocean-related risks and opportunities across nine ocean-dependent sectors. It outlines five key drivers of ocean degradation, introduces a seven-step portfolio assessment framework, and provides sector-specific engagement guidance for fisheries, aquaculture and maritime transportation.
Navigating nature-related data: Metrics, sources and uses
This NGFS information note examines available nature-related data resources and methods for integrating them into financial risk assessment. It reviews metrics and indicators against five key criteria, presents four case studies, and identifies data quality, availability, and standardisation challenges. Public-private collaboration and targeted investment are recommended to address data gaps.
Biodiversity loss will decrease the future creditworthiness of nations
This study examines how biodiversity and ecosystem service loss affect sovereign creditworthiness across 23 countries. Using ecological-economic modelling, it finds that a partial ecosystem collapse could generate US$162 billion in additional annual debt servicing costs globally, highlighting that sovereign credit ratings are systematically underpricing nature-related financial risks.
Red lines in the Abyss: Growing financier concern over deep-sea mining
This report maps 82 financial institutions — representing approximately EUR 24 trillion in combined assets — that have excluded or expressed concern over deep-sea mining. Published by Seas At Risk and the Deep Sea Mining Campaign, it charts growing financier momentum against deep-sea mining and calls for explicit exclusion policies from both financial institutions and governments.
Nature-based solutions for a sustainable critical minerals value chain
This report examines how nature-based solutions (NbS) can be integrated into critical minerals mining. Drawing on case study research and expert events at Climate Week NYC and COP30, it identifies six resilience-building NbS categories and highlights the need for systems-based planning, community collaboration, and improved financing mechanisms.
How to use consensus state of nature metrics to understand business dependencies on ecosystem services
This briefing note explains how businesses and financial institutions can configure the NPI consensus State of Nature metrics to understand their dependencies on ecosystem services. It outlines a four-step practical process, identifies where the metrics provide strong insight, and highlights where complementary indicators are needed.
The European chemical sector's influence on biodiversity policy
This report analyses how major European chemical companies and industry associations influence biodiversity policy in the EU and US. It reveals that no assessed company aligns fully with science-based biodiversity goals, highlighting oppositional lobbying against critical regulations concerning pesticides, PFAS, and harmful chemicals.
