An initial group of 15 financial institutions, including Storebrand Asset Management, Federated Hermes Limited, Rabobank, Nordea AM, and Domini Impact Investments, is calling for a dedicated Nature Standard to establish a global reporting baseline.
The Finance for Biodiversity Foundation and its members presented the joint statement to International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Board member Sue Lloyd at COP17 following the launch of the ISSB consultation on nature-related disclosures. The signatories will engage in the consultation, and additional financial institutions are invited to support the statement until 15 January 2027.
Nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities are financially material across sectors, geographies, and asset classes. Investors need consistent, comparable and decision-useful information to assess risks, allocate capital and fulfil their stewardship responsibilities. Voluntary action alone cannot deliver the global comparability needed.
Investors call for a dedicated Nature Standard
On 22 October, the ISSB asked for feedback on its proposals for nature-related disclosures, with a consultation running until 19 February 2027.
The ISSB is seeking feedback on whether to finalise its proposals as a Practice Statement or issue them in another form, such as a dedicated Standard. Unlike a Standard, compliance with a Practice Statement is not required in order to claim compliance with ISSB Standards.
The initial signatories welcome the ISSB’s work but believe a dedicated Nature Standard should remain the ultimate outcome. Without a clear pathway towards a global standard, there is a risk of fragmented disclosure requirements across jurisdictions.
The statement remains open for additional financial institutions to sign throughout the consultation period. The Finance for Biodiversity Foundation will also work with its members through its Impact Assessment and Public Policy Advocacy Working Groups to review the proposals and coordinate investor input into the ISSB consultation.
Governments must uphold commitments on nature disclosures
The 2026 Global Review of Collective Progress highlights limited implementation of Target 15 of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), with few countries introducing nature-related assessment and disclosure requirements. The absence of a global nature standard, voluntary reporting approaches and data gaps remain important barriers.
In its COP17 Policy Expectations, the Finance for Biodiversity Foundation called for accelerated implementation of the GBF and stronger policy measures to align financial flows with nature.
The signatories therefore call on governments and regulators to support the development of a dedicated Nature Standard, helping establish a consistent global baseline and accelerate implementation of GBF Target 15.
Initial Statement Signatories
List of initial Signatories of the Call for a Dedicated Nature Standard, as of 25 October 2026:
Achema, Achmea Investment Management, Aequo Shareholder Engagement, Cardano, Domini Impact Investments, Etica Funds – Responsible Investments, Federated Hermes Limited, La Banque Postale Asset Management, Nordea Asset Management, Rabobank, Rathbones, Storebrand Asset Management, Swedbank Robur Asset Management, Tribe Impact Capital and Univé.
The statement will remain open for additional investor signatures, as the FfB Foundation will continue to mobilise the finance sector to express support for a dedicated Nature Standard. Investors can give their support by signing the statement.
Anita de Horde, Co-founding Executive Director, FfB Foundation:
“The Finance for Biodiversity Foundation congratulates the ISSB on the launch of its nature-related disclosure proposals. It will help investors receive the information they need for decision-making on nature. Financial institutions are not only warmly welcoming this development but are calling for the highest level of ambition by supporting the development of a Nature Standard. It is the format most suited to provide a consistent global reporting baseline and ensure the effective implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework Target 15 on disclosures.”
Sonya Likhtman, Stewardship Director, Federated Hermes Limited and co-chair of the FfB Public Policy Advocacy working group:
“Economic and scientific research consistently shows the financial materiality of nature across sectors, geographies and scales. Investors require clear and coherent information from companies about their nature-related impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities to support effective risk management and decision-making. Furthermore, addressing climate change without considering nature-related issues such as water, land use and pollution would provide an incomplete picture for investors. We therefore see significant value in the ISSB continuing to explore the development of a nature standard, responding to the widespread demand from the private sector and other stakeholders.”