Companies are increasingly aware of the need to take biodiversity into account in the decisions they make. But up to now, there wasn’t really a framework to guide and support them. ISO 17298, published in October, addresses this gap.

The observation

Today, more than 70% of economic activities in Europe depend directly or indirectly on nature conservation. Globally, more than half of GDP depends on services nature and biodiversity provide⁽¹⁾. But the state of terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems continues to deteriorate due to multiple pressures, overexploitation and loss of biodiversity, all accentuated by the effects of climate change⁽²⁾.

Human activities put five types of pressure on biodiversity: changing land and sea use, overexploitation of resources, pollution, introduction of invasive exotic species and worsening climate change. But at the same time, they rely on biodiversity through the ecosystem services nature provides to their operations.

According to an estimate by the World Economic Forum, biodiversity loss is one of the world’s fastest growing risks in the next decade.

Initiatives in place…

In recent years, several initiatives have been launched at different scales, such as voluntary frameworks like SBTn (Science-Based Targets for nature) and TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) or the international Act4Nature system.

• The SBTn network recognises the need to develop methods and guidance on setting scientific targets for biodiversity, freshwater, land and oceans and offers businesses and communities a five-step guide (estimation, prioritisation, collection, action, communication) to protect and restore these global commons.
• The TFND aims to develop a voluntary reporting framework to guide companies in communicating relevant information about their impacts on biodiversity and the resulting risks and opportunities for their business and financial performance.

It should be noted that, since 2025, financial players and large companies have also been affected by the CSRD, which imposes a reporting obligation, including, among others, integrating biodiversity into activities.

• The Act4nature initiative encourages companies to act on their direct and indirect impacts, their dependencies and their possibilities for action in favour of nature, the idea being to engage them in action while feeding a cycle of continuous improvement of processes to better integrate biodiversity.

Until now, large companies have mainly been affected by these various initiatives. However, according to a study by the consulting firm BL évolution specifically focused on CAC 40 companies, although progress has been made (e.g. in the luxury, distribution or automotive industries), “none of these companies has yet undertaken transforming an economic model based on the principles of avoidance, sobriety or regeneration, which are however vital to reducing pressures at source”⁽³⁾.

…and now there’s a standard for taking action

Beyond these initiatives, each of which has its own merits, there was a lack of a master plan to assist organisations in translating intention into action. That is the challenge of the specific standard published by ISO last October.

Developed from work initiated by AFNOR, the ISO 17298 standard assists organisations of all types and sizes in incorporating biodiversity into their strategies and operations. It provides them with common guidelines to protect nature while remaining competitive.

More specifically, it provides a structured and practical roadmap for assessing the impacts, dependencies, risks, and opportunities related to biodiversity, and to develop and implement a credible, effective, and tailored action plan while aligning with global objectives (e.g., Goal 15 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework).

As the first international ISO standard on biodiversity, ISO 17298 draws on consensus-based best practices to support action in different sectors and geographies, particularly in developing countries. Some consider it to be the Biodiversity component of ISO 14001.

What are the main benefits for the organisation?

The ISO 17298 standard helps to align its strategy with new biodiversity policies and reporting requirements. It facilitates risk control and resilience across supply chains and operations. It helps to leverage green finance, gain investor confidence and access new market opportunities. It enables transparent reporting on nature-related performance. Finally, the new ISO 17298 standard strengthens institutional capacities, especially for SMEs and public entities in developing countries.

1) Cf. Audrey Coreau, Head of the Green and Solidarity Economy Department at the General Commissariat for Sustainable Development (CGDD), was heard on 18 December 2024 by the Environment Committee of the ESEC as part of the inquiry into ecosystem restoration.

2) “Europe’s Environment — State and Outlook 2025“, European Environment Agency (EEA), September 2025.

3) The consulting firm BL évolution has been following the commitments of CAC 40 companies in terms of biodiversity for more than ten years. For more information : click here.

Last minute: The World Forum (WEF) is committed to publishing “Nature Positive Transitions Sector Series” reports that explore transformation pathways to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 by sector. Automotive, cement/concrete, chemicals, cleaning and hygiene products, mining & metallurgy, offshore wind and ports have already been covered. The latest one (released on 4 December) is about technology. It indicates that the sector could generate $800 billion in added value throughout its value chain by 2030 if it places nature at the centre of its activities and supply chains.