NAT.B11.EA Hazardous Substances Reduction Evidence
About the data
This metric was designed by The World Benchmarking Alliance, more information can be found here. Sources and Alignments for each indicator can be found here as well as the scoring guidelines here
The World Benchmarking Alliance's Nature Benchmark measures and ranks the world's most influential companies on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity.
This metric relates to the Indicator: The company reduces the production of hazardous substances and/or hazardous waste across the most material parts of its value chain.
Rationale: Pollution is among the primary drivers of biodiversity loss, with large amounts of hazardous chemicals and other pollutants affecting ecosystem function and leading to population decline (UNEP, BRS Conventions and Minamata Convention, 2021). Persistence of such hazardous substances and waste in the environment can lead to uptake by wildlife and humans resulting in reproductive and carcinogenic effects. As such, this indicator covers the production and management of hazardous substances as well as waste management.
Methodology
WBA analysed all publicly available group-level disclosure in English on the applicable group website, which was predominantly annual reports and sustainability reports. Draft assessments were then sent to each company inviting them to provide feedback. This feedback could include additional publicly available group disclosure published. These were then reviewed and finalised. Final assessments were then shared with each company before being published online.
For this metric examples for this element could include policies aimed at reducing hazardous substances, or evidence of having achieved reduction of hazardous substances. the company must show efforts beyond legal compliance. Partnerships, such as those with the ZDHC, does not count by itself. However, if the company shows efforts to use the partnership towards further action, such as supply chain engagement, policies, or programmes, then it could score for this indicator.