Amsterdam, Nov 20th : As nature and biodiversity take center stage at COP30 in Brazil, GRI has welcomed the IFRS Foundation’s announcement that the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) will develop new disclosure requirements focused on nature-related risks and opportunities.
These upcoming ISSB standards will build on the recommendations of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). Over the past three years, GRI and TNFD have collaborated closely to support each other’s work, including TNFD recommendations, metrics, and guidance, as well as the recently revised GRI 101: Biodiversity Standard.
Strong Foundation in Nature Reporting
GRI has addressed biodiversity since releasing its first sustainability guidelines in 2000. With the major update to GRI 101 in 2024—and with existing standards covering water, waste, emissions and more—the GRI Standards offer comprehensive reporting guidance on nature-related impacts.
Recent collaboration between GRI and TNFD has produced:
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Practical resources to help organizations assess and disclose nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities
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Corporate case studies showcasing interconnected nature-related themes
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Interoperability mapping demonstrating strong alignment between GRI Standards and the TNFD framework
Complementary Standards for Global Reporting
GRI and the IFRS Foundation recognize that their standards complement one another. When used together, they support holistic reporting on an organization’s impacts, risks, and opportunities. A Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022 and renewed in 2024 formalized their commitment to coordinated standard-setting, including on nature.
These collaborations with ISSB and TNFD pave the way for a seamless global system of nature reporting, where:
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GRI Standards address impacts and information needs of all stakeholders, especially on biodiversity
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ISSB Standards focus on nature-related risks and opportunities relevant to investors
Leadership Remarks
Robin Hodess, CEO of GRI, said:
“Nature and biodiversity are now widely acknowledged as critical to mitigate risk and build resilience, for people and planet. GRI has long led the way on nature reporting and has worked closely with the ISSB on its biodiversity and ecosystems project since 2024. We therefore welcome ISSB’s move to develop incremental disclosure requirements on nature-related risks and opportunities.
Their integration of TNFD’s work is particularly significant. With established cooperation across our three organizations, we are well positioned to deliver a coherent and complementary set of nature-related standards—covering impacts, dependencies, risks, and opportunities—to drive accountability, strategy, and investment.”
Tony Goldner, Executive Director of TNFD, added:
“GRI’s expertise in impact assessment and reporting greatly influenced TNFD’s approach and recommendations. Our continued collaboration ensures practical guidance for assessing and disclosing nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities. We look forward to supporting both GRI and ISSB as they draw on TNFD’s recommendations to advance their respective standards.”
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