Project Align

Objectives

Align focuses its efforts on the space where experimentation on biodiversity measurements has occurred, many different methodologies have evolved, and a need for recommendations for measuring biodiversity in different contexts has been expressed.

Align aims to maximise synergies with the broader sustainability measurement and disclosure efforts including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) revision of its biodiversity indicators, the Taskforce for Nature-Related Financial Disclosures framework (TNFD), the Science Based Targets Network guidance (SBTN).

The strength of the project can be seen by the benefits provided from intensive business engagement. The geographic focus is the EU, but it will link to global business and policy initiatives to ensure the project impact extends globally and positions EU businesses at the forefront of biodiversity policy implementation.

Milestones

In December 2022, the Align project released a set of recommendations to develop more clarity on which elements of biodiversity businesses should measure, and how to assess their impacts and dependencies on nature. Influential corporate standards, including EFRAG’s ESRS E4 Biodiversity and Ecosystems, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), already cite or build on the Align recommendations.

Starting in 2023, Align began developing practical guidance to help apply these recommendations across different levels—site operations, supply chains, and the finance sector. Additional resources were also created to support businesses in measuring their contributions to the nature-positive goal and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. These materials were published in 2025 and are now available.

The Align Community

The Align project was a business-focused and business-driven initiative. Throughout its duration, it actively engaged companies and stakeholders in the field of natural capital accounting and corporate biodiversity measurement, valuation and disclosure:

• The Community of Interest brought together businesses keen to stay informed on the latest developments on tools and standards related to biodiversity measurement and natural capital accounting.
• The Community of Practice consisted of businesses that directly contributed to the creation of the project’s tools and standards, helping ensure that all outputs were relevant and fit-for-purpose for businesses and financial institutions.
• The Technical Hub was a sub-group within the Community of Practice, made up of experts dedicated to ensure the development of scientifically robust products and discuss specific topics related to biodiversity measurement.

The project was overseen by an independent Advisory Board that acted as a sounding board by reviewing and providing input into key deliverables from the perspective of businesses and financial institutions.