Harmonisation of impact & dependency assessment methodologies in the financial sector to ensure alignment with and support for CBD targets - Roundtable

Economic activities shape the environment and can have severe impacts on ecosystems. At the same time, they are highly dependent on ecosystem services and can be exposed to high risks if biodiversity losses become too high. Taking into account the impacts and dependencies of every economic activity on biodiversity is a crucial step in understanding the mechanisms at play and building resilience.

The financial sector is the backbone of the global economy and, along with regulators, plays a major role in controlling and guiding economic players. As impact assessment methodologies emerge and regulations start requiring quantitative analysis of biodiversity impacts (like the 29th Article of the French Climate and Energy Law), there is an increased need for standardization across the board.

Furthermore, the ability to read impact and dependency assessments and translate them into physical and transition risk assessments will be essential on the road to economic resilience and should therefore be a priority for financial institutions that aim to promote stability in the long term and contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

This event brings together a selection of key actors in the field of biodiversity impact and dependency assessment in the financial sector, including tool developers, data providers and sector initiatives, with the aim to explore ways to further harmonize impact and dependency assessment approaches in support of CBD Targets.