Embed Nature Positive for Climate Action
Environmental Defense Fund
As regulations and investor attention on nature loss increase, it is critical for companies to integrate nature into their climate transition action plans (CTAPs). This approach can help combat biodiversity loss, align with consumer expectations, and ensure compliance with regulatory demands for a nature-positive future. It also offers companies an opportunity to outline how they can work with nature and have positive outcomes for their business.
As nature loss becomes a significant concern, companies will begin to encounter regulations on corporate nature disclosure. Investors are increasingly aware of the risks associated with nature degradation, and consumers are advocating for meaningful changes. It is becoming a best practice for businesses and financial institutions to evaluate and disclose their environmental impacts and dependencies. This makes it essential for businesses to incorporate nature into their climate transition action plans. By developing a robust nature strategy and integrating it into a climate transition action plan (CTAP), sanctioned at the highest levels of the organization, companies can ensure they are taking concrete steps to combat biodiversity loss and comply with evolving regulatory demands.
Step 1: Check that your CTAP details how you will use nature as a climate solution
Nature is one of the best solutions we have in the fight against climate change. How your company plans to use nature-based solutions should be included in your plan, particularly for emissions that you cannot cut.
It is also important to include if you will be contributing finance to nature. To end nature loss by 2030 requires significant investment.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBSCD), Science Based Targets for Nature (SBTN), Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), the World Economic Forum, and Capitals Coalition have teamed up to help businesses address nature-related challenges. They introduced a framework called ACT-D (Assess, Commit, Transform, and Disclose) to guide businesses in taking actions to halt and reverse nature loss. In addition, SBTN’s guidance outlines a practical five-step approach to set science-based targets for nature. TNFD has developed an integrated approach called LEAP (Locate, Assess, Evaluate, Prepare) to identify and assess nature-related risks. Additionally, the Nature and Climate Resource Navigator is a practical tool for companies navigating the complex voluntary and regulatory landscape of frameworks, tools, and guidance. Learn more at Action Step: Integrate Nature-Positive Strategies.
Step 2: Develop and share nature-aligned policies
Large businesses are increasingly required to evaluate and disclose their environmental impacts and dependencies, making it important to develop and publicly share formal policies to ensure your climate transition plan is aligned with a nature-positive future.
Case Study
Salesforce
Salesforce has embedded a Nature Positive strategy in their climate transition plan. Part of this nature positive strategy includes measuring, managing and developing a plan to reduce our nature impacts and dependencies by 2025; buying 1 million tons of high-quality blue carbon credits by 2025; supporting and mobilizing the conservation, restoration and growth of 100 million trees by 2030; and distributing $100 million through the Ecosystem Restoration & Climate Justice Fund.
For more information on these checklist steps, visit the NZAA’s “Embedding Nature into Net Zero” pathway.
Continue to the final CTAP Action Step, Step 8: Disclose a CTAP and Track Progress to learn how you can showcase your work as you advance your climate commitments.