URB-D.03.B - Ecosystem Impact Reduction Target
Does the company set a target to reduce its impact on ecosystems?
About the data
The WBA Urban Benchmark measures and ranks the world's most influential companies on their efforts to shape sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban environments, tracking how companies address essential urban needs while respecting planetary boundaries across dimensions including decent work and human rights, environmental and climate impacts, social inclusion, and sustainability leadership. The 2026 edition assessed 300 companies across four key industries shaping urban environments: real estate, construction and engineering, transport, and utilities. Companies were scored on 24 urban-specific indicators plus 18 core social indicators, spanning four measurement areas: sustainable governance, inclusive cities, healthy cities, and climate change and resilient cities. The benchmark is designed to incentivise the private sector to take adequate responsibility for its role in ensuring affordable, safe and inclusive urban environments for all. More information can be found here.
Methodology
The rapid growth of urban populations can have significant impacts on natural ecosystems,
given their relationship with urban area expansion. Urban developments need to be approached in a
balanced manner, by considering the need for new developments next to the conservation of natural
ecosystems. To minimise their footprint across all relevant ecosystems, companies must refrain from
operating in protected areas and minimise the conversion of natural ecosystems, including those that
lack formal protection status. To this end, companies can prioritise locating facilities in areas with
existing infrastructure, infill development, repurposing brownfield sites and adopting smart urban
planning strategies that preserve green spaces. Furthermore, companies should engage in transparent
and responsible land use practices, such as avoiding deforestation and protecting natural habitats.
Research Guidance
The company must disclose at least one measurable, timebound target to reduce its impacts on ecosystems.
Targets must be timebound and include the baseline value and base year from which progress is measured.
Targets must have clear, quantitative, and measurable metrics.
Targets must be short-term (now to 2030). Longer term targets (i.e. those with an end date past 2030) are only accepted if they are broken down into interim targets, that are 5 years away or less.
The target must cover all of the company's operations.
Targets must relate to at least one of the following types:
- Reduction of all conversion
- Deforestation
- The conversion over time of land cover, changes in the spatial configuration of the landscape
- The functional connectivity
- Deforestation- or conversion-free in conversion hotspots or natural lands
- Other types of targets will be assessed on a case-by-case basis
given their relationship with urban area expansion. Urban developments need to be approached in a
balanced manner, by considering the need for new developments next to the conservation of natural
ecosystems. To minimise their footprint across all relevant ecosystems, companies must refrain from
operating in protected areas and minimise the conversion of natural ecosystems, including those that
lack formal protection status. To this end, companies can prioritise locating facilities in areas with
existing infrastructure, infill development, repurposing brownfield sites and adopting smart urban
planning strategies that preserve green spaces. Furthermore, companies should engage in transparent
and responsible land use practices, such as avoiding deforestation and protecting natural habitats.
Research Guidance
The company must disclose at least one measurable, timebound target to reduce its impacts on ecosystems.
Targets must be timebound and include the baseline value and base year from which progress is measured.
Targets must have clear, quantitative, and measurable metrics.
Targets must be short-term (now to 2030). Longer term targets (i.e. those with an end date past 2030) are only accepted if they are broken down into interim targets, that are 5 years away or less.
The target must cover all of the company's operations.
Targets must relate to at least one of the following types:
- Reduction of all conversion
- Deforestation
- The conversion over time of land cover, changes in the spatial configuration of the landscape
- The functional connectivity
- Deforestation- or conversion-free in conversion hotspots or natural lands
- Other types of targets will be assessed on a case-by-case basis
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report