Despite past multilateral policy efforts, like the Aichi Targets that expired in 2020, the rate of species extinction is approximately 1,000 times higher than ever before, and the total number of wild mammals is declining by 82% compared to historical records (WEF and PwC, 2020). As scientists have put bluntly, we are witnessing a ‘biological annihilation’ amounting to the sixth mass extinction. In the past, the major threats to species have been well documented. However, establishing specific targets for threat reduction is complex because there are large numbers of threatened species as well as rapid deterioration of habitats. Along with efforts to preserve key areas for biodiversity, companies can contribute to the process of halting species abundance and richness loss and extinction.

A note on the scoring system

Wikirate uses a standardized 10-point scoring system to enable comparison of company scores across different benchmarks. In the Nature Benchmark, companies can earn 1 point per indicator, which are then added together and calculated as a percentage of the total score for a measurement area (MA) to determine the final score for the MA. The overall Wikirate score is calculated by combining these scores with the appropriate weightings, and converting them to a 10-point scale. For instance, if a company achieves a final score of 50, the corresponding Rating will be 5.