On 31st January 2022, the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB) was consolidated into the IFRS Foundation to support the work of the newly established International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). While this site and its resources remain relevant for preparers looking to improve sustainability disclosure until such time as the ISSB issues its IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards on such topics, no further work or guidance will be produced or published by CDSB. For further information please visit the IFRS website.

Biodiversity-related disclosures

The CDSB Framework Biodiversity application guidance (Biodiversity guidance) will support companies in reporting material land use and biodiversity-related information in the mainstream report.

What is the Biodiversity application guidance? 

The Biodiversity guidance will provide an additional layer of detail to the CDSB Framework, integrating elements from existing reporting standards on land use and biodiversity. The guidance will be applicable globally.

The focus of the guidance is on the first six reporting requirements of the CDSB Framework (REQ-01-06)

Who is the main audience?

The guidance is designed to enhance the decision-usefulness of land use and biodiversity-related information disclosed in the mainstream reports by listed companies. Investors are the primary audience of this information. 

Who supports the development of the guidance?

The development of the land use and biodiversity guidance is supported by the Land use and biodiversity working group. 

Over 40 members of the group, coming from various backgrounds, bring expertise in the disclosure of land use and biodiversity-related information. Their work includes:   

  • Reviewing drafts and literature;

  • Sharing knowledge and experience;

  • Providing feedback on all development stages; and

  • Engaging stakeholders for roundtables, pilot groups, and public consultation.

Biodiversity and Water Reporting Templates

These Biodiversity and Water reporting template examples illustrate how to disclose biodiversity and/or water sustainability-related risks and opportunities in the mainstream report to investors, lenders, and other creditors (users) in a connected way, including possible locations within the mainstream report.

Understanding that environmental information cannot be separated from wider social information, it is important preparers retain a holistic and interconnected approach when reporting on sustainability matters, ensuring investors receive a complete picture of the connectivity of material sustainability-related information on risks and opportunities from biodiversity, water, social and climate, for example. The examples demonstrate how companies operating in specific sectors could meet relevant elements of CDSB’s disclosure requirements, including reference to the relevant checklist points.

Who funds the development of the guidance?

The CDSB Framework Biodiversity application guidance comes as part of the four-year project, supported by the LIFE Programme of the European Union. The aim of the project is to enhance nature-related financial disclosures in mainstream reports across Europe and beyond. This publication is funded in part by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and UK PACT.

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with Laura Clavey, Technical Manager at CDSB:

With the contribution of the LIFE Programme of the European Union

The content of this page is the sole responsibility of the author and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union
This publication is funded in part by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Funding for this research was provided by UK PACT Green Recovery Challenge Fund.