About the data
The WBA Nature Benchmark measures and ranks the world's most influential companies on their efforts to protect the environment and its biodiversity, tracking how companies are reducing their negative impacts on nature and contributing to the protection and restoration of ecosystems, aligned with the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework. The 2026 edition assessed 750 companies across multiple sectors including agro-food, forestry, building, tourism and the blue economy. The benchmark is developed in close collaboration with an Expert Review Committee and partners including GRI, SBTN, and TNFD, with a methodology designed to incentivise companies to understand where nature-related risks are highest and act to halt damaging trends, while keeping human rights and social impacts at its core.
More information can be found here.
More information can be found here.
Methodology
According to the United Nations, nearly two-thirds of the global population experiences
severe water scarcity for at least one month a year, and over two billion people live in countries with
inadequate water supply. By 2025, half of the world’s population could face water scarcity, and by
2040, one in four children may live in areas with extreme water stress. Global water use has increased
six times over the past century, primarily through agriculture (around 70%) and industrial activities
(around 20%), according to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2020. This
underscores the significant role companies play in water consumption and the need for sustainable
and transparent water management practices.The company must set a target on its water withdrawal OR water consumption that covers at least its own operations (including aggregated targets, e.g. reducing total net water consumption). If the target covers only a subset of the company’s operations or value chain (e.g. a specific water basin; specific water-stressed areas), it should be methodologically justified.
For a list of methodologies the companies could use, refer to element (d).
Targets must be timebound, with a defined baseline value and year, and include clear, quantitative, and measurable metrics. They should focus on short-term progress up to 2030, with any longer-term goals broken down into interim targets no more than five years apart. Intensity targets are not accepted, as they do not ensure absolute improvements. Year-on-year targets and qualitative targets may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, depending on their ambition and measurability. Any changes to targets or their underlying assumptions must be explained, particularly in terms of impact on comparability. Additionally, targets aimed solely at maintaining current performance are not accepted.
severe water scarcity for at least one month a year, and over two billion people live in countries with
inadequate water supply. By 2025, half of the world’s population could face water scarcity, and by
2040, one in four children may live in areas with extreme water stress. Global water use has increased
six times over the past century, primarily through agriculture (around 70%) and industrial activities
(around 20%), according to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2020. This
underscores the significant role companies play in water consumption and the need for sustainable
and transparent water management practices.The company must set a target on its water withdrawal OR water consumption that covers at least its own operations (including aggregated targets, e.g. reducing total net water consumption). If the target covers only a subset of the company’s operations or value chain (e.g. a specific water basin; specific water-stressed areas), it should be methodologically justified.
For a list of methodologies the companies could use, refer to element (d).
Targets must be timebound, with a defined baseline value and year, and include clear, quantitative, and measurable metrics. They should focus on short-term progress up to 2030, with any longer-term goals broken down into interim targets no more than five years apart. Intensity targets are not accepted, as they do not ensure absolute improvements. Year-on-year targets and qualitative targets may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, depending on their ambition and measurability. Any changes to targets or their underlying assumptions must be explained, particularly in terms of impact on comparability. Additionally, targets aimed solely at maintaining current performance are not accepted.
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Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report