UNEP-WCMC and UNEP FI Publish Updated Edition of Accountability for Nature Report

The Accountability for Nature report, first published in January 2024, provides an overview of the key trends in methods proposed by the leading frameworks and standards for private sector assessment and disclosure on nature-related issues. It underlines the rapidly maturing regulatory landscape on climate disclosure with the growing realisation that climate risks are often coupled with nature-related risks. 

The report distinguishes between frameworks, which provide guiding principles for disclosure, Standards, which establish specific reporting requirements, and Reporting platforms, which help companies align with both voluntary and regulatory disclosure expectations. The analysis includes seven key frameworks and standards:  

• Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) disclosure system  
• European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)  
• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards  
• International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Standards  
• Natural Capital Protocol  
• Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) target-setting guidance  
• Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework 

The comparative study summarises key findings across 12 focuses including: the definition of materiality, coverage of realms, coverage of sectors, coverage of value chains, location information requirements, nature-related impacts, nature-related dependencies, nature-related risks and opportunities, disclosure metrics, targets, engagement with rightsholders and relevant stakeholders. 

The Nature-Pollution Nexus in Financial Disclosure 

Pollution is one of the five primary drivers of biodiversity loss and is increasingly recognised as a major financial and economic risk. To reflect this, the 2025 update of the report provides more information on the interconnectedness between nature and pollution, adding disclosures on pollution as a key focus, finding that: 

• Pollution drives economic and financial risks, particularly in high-impact sectors such as chemicals, manufacturing, agriculture and energy. 
• Global policies are rapidly evolving, requiring financial institutions to integrate pollution-related risks into reporting and risk management frameworks. 
• Addressing pollution-related dependencies, risks, and impacts is essential for long-term financial resilience and regulatory compliance. 

Pricing Nature into the Financial System 

Climate Action’s Nature series will launch with the Nature Finance Forum Europe (NFF-EU), on 28 April in Paris, co-located with the 8th annual edition of the Sustainable Investment Forum Europe and convened in partnership with the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). 

NFF-EU will bring together 250 senior executives to showcase groundbreaking nature, biodiversity and carbon removals projects, while accelerating new policy frameworks that accelerate the growth and impact of nature projects. 

Pricing Nature into the Financial System will explore innovative methodologies for integrating nature-related risks and dependencies into financial decision-making, paving the way for a more sustainable global economy, with a breakthrough interview with Emmanuelle Assouan, Director General of Financial Stability and Operations at Banque de France and co-Lead of the Nature Taskforce at the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS).

As nature-related financial risks gain increasing recognition, forums such as NFF-EU play a crucial role in bridging the gap between policy, investment and on-the-ground action. By bringing together key stakeholders to drive forward-thinking discussions and innovative financial strategies, the event marks an important step toward integrating nature into the global investment and economic framework. 

To find out more visit: Nature Finance Forum Europe 2025 

To explore partnership opportunties: Request a brochure