State of Nature Metrics

We need consensus on credible, practical metrics to measure the state of nature and help secure nature-positive outcomes

2020 Base
line

2030 Halt and
reverse

2050 Full
recovery

We are
losing nature
faster than ever…

Biodiversity loss has disastrous consequences for global economic stability, human well-being and climate change.

This negative environmental impact must be urgently addressed. That’s why countries agreed the Nature Positive Global Goal, a global, societal goal to mobilize the necessary action to halt and reverse rapidly escalating nature loss by 2030.

But without alignment on how to measure nature-positive outcomes, we will not be able to gauge whether our efforts to reduce biodiversity loss and secure a nature-positive world are on track. Currently, there is no common approach to measure nature’s decline or recovery. Hundreds of different metrics are being used to measure the state of nature, making it challenging for businesses, financial institutions and other organizations to select the right minimum set of metrics to evaluate success from global to local scales.

That’s why the Nature Positive Initiative is building consensus on a universal set of state of nature metrics.

The final proposed set of aligned metrics are the product of nearly two years engaging with hundreds of stakeholders to define a checklist of metrics that can provide the scale, diversity, credibility and completeness needed to give a sufficiently accurate picture of change in the state of nature. They are designed to be embedded into nature frameworks and standards, complementing existing pressure and response metrics.

The journey so far has included a consultation in 2024 for wide input to these State of Nature Metrics, a piloting programme to test metric application in over 50 sites across the world and engagement with experts to refine the metric set for use across different realms. The Initiative is also working with the World Economic Forum and the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance to develop consensus on measuring nature-positive outcomes in marine ecosystems. Please see below for latest updates on all metrics work.

All documents are available below.

the FINAL consultation stage

After almost two years of analysis, feedback and revisions, the metrics presented in this final consultation stage are the result of a concerted effort from many to push for greater action for nature and to measure nature’s loss or gain.

This process has included deep and inclusive engagement of a broad variety of organizations – from companies and financial institutions to academia, research and civil society – to co-develop and foster broad consensus on a small set of aligned metrics to evaluate changes in the state of nature. Read more here.

The final public consultation was open 11 February – 24 March 2026, and invited feedback from all organizations and individuals for whom the metrics will be useful.

The consultation survey is now closed for entries

 

Read more about the companies who piloted the State of Nature Metrics

Find out more from the perspective of the companies involved in pilot testing the metrics in 2025. Some themes emerged and suggestions for improvements were taken into account in the final iteration which was released for consultation in 2026. Read the full case studies below.

  • Holcim: Terrestrial Pilot Case Study for the Nature Positive Initiative State of Nature Metrics

    Read the case study

  • LanzaJet: Terrestrial Pilot Case Study for the Nature Positive Initiative State of Nature Metrics

    Read the case study

  • Sibelco: Terrestrial Pilot Case Study for the Nature Positive Initiative State of Nature Metrics

    Read the case study

  • Suzano: Terrestrial Pilot Case Study for the Nature Positive Initiative State of Nature Metrics

    Read the case study

  • Vale: Terrestrial Pilot Case Study for the Nature Positive Initiative State of Nature Metrics

    Read the case study

Process Updates

Aligning State of Nature Metrics

There are currently more than 600 different sets of environmental metrics, from impact metrics to those that support biodiversity reporting to how to measure net gain in nature. It is a complex landscape, which is why the Nature Positive Initiative is working closely with its 27 core partners and the wider halo of members in the Nature Positive Forum to understand the need for and application of one clear set of metrics.

The project began in 2024, with support from The Biodiversity Consultancy and Ernst & Young (EY). Following the publication of a consultation brief and first draft set, a consultation was opened for wide input in October 2024. This provided a unique opportunity to build consensus on metrics that will help drive action and transparency and shape the future of reporting on nature.

This consultation closed in November 2024, the documents are available below for reference only.

Past documents available below.

Archived Documents

Get Involved in the State of Nature Metrics process

Join the Forum