Matt Mace

As COP16 gets underway, new research has uncovered a growing investment gap into nature and biodiversity. Addressing this challenge could have ramifications for businesses in the form of heightened nature disclosure requests.

The UK’s climate watchdog has advised the Government that emissions need to be reduced by 81% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels if that nation is to play its part in meeting the Paris Agreement and averting the worst impacts of the climate crisis.

A group of investors with more than $150trn in assets under management have launched a consultation to explore how nature considerations can be included as part of robust net-zero transition plans.

The UN’s Race to Zero initiative held a launch event to showcase how organisations working in PR, law, advertising and over service-based sectors can identify actions to reduce emissions and mitigate climate risks.

The Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) has officially concluded its work, handing over responsibilities to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation to encourage more organisations to set ambitious and transparent climate transition plans.

As the curtain comes down on negotiations in Colombia at COP16, a lot of dialogue has focused on exploring the synergies between nature and climate. With many corporates currently developing and setting long-term transition plans to net-zero, they’ll need to consider the role that nature will play.

COP16, the summit dedicated to outlining processes and action points to halt global ecological decline, closed on Sunday morning (3 November), with green groups and negotiators alike left frustrated despite some major breakthroughs.

COP16 in Colombia may not have delivered the desired outcomes to propel the world towards protecting and enhancing nature, but some key developments will have ramifications for corporate sustainability.

More than half of businesses are planning to introduce more governance structures to help deliver on net-zero ambitions, including increasing investment and expanding legal and compliance teams to help meet regulation.

The UK Government sees a “clear and appropriate role” for corporates to utilise carbon and nature credits as part of efforts to reach net-zero, and has published its principles and guidelines to do so.