WHEB joins Nature Action 100 in taking corporate action to reverse nature loss
Nature Action 100, the first global investor engagement initiative to address the urgent crisis of nature and biodiversity loss around the world, unveiled a list of 100 companies in key sectors in which 190 institutional investor participants – representing $23.6 trillion in assets under management or advice – will engage. The investors participating in Nature Action 100 have kicked off the initiative's engagement phase by sending letters to the 100 companies, worth more than $9 trillion in market capital, calling for urgent and necessary actions to protect and restore nature and ecosystems and thereby mitigate financial risk. The Nature Action 100 Investor Expectations for Companies outlines a set of timely actions companies can implement. The expectations were published in June 2023.
The case for action on nature
With more than half of the world’s GDP reliant on nature and its services, depleting natural capital creates significant operational, regulatory, litigation, and reputational risk for investors and businesses alike, and negative economic repercussions globally.
Nature Action 100 investor participants are focused on driving corporate ambition and action in eight key sectors that are deemed to be systemically important in reversing nature and biodiversity loss by 2030, as they are considered to have significant impacts on nature and are heavily dependent on ecosystem services to function. The sectors include biotechnology and pharmaceuticals; chemicals; household and personal goods; consumer goods retail; food; food and beverage retail; forestry and paper; and metals and mining. Investor participants will engage companies individually or as part of engagement teams with other participating investors. Individuals and engagement teams will submit regular updates on their engagements.
Nature Action 100 company list
The 100 companies were selected based on their market capitalization within the key sectors and an analysis by the Finance for Biodiversity Foundation of companies with the highest impacts on nature. Companies in developed and emerging markets in these key sectors were also included in the list and will be a focus of engagements.
Nature Action 100 was conceived by a group of investors known as the Launching Investor Group. It was later formed as a global initiative in December 2022 by the Launching Investor Group, along with the Secretariat and Technical Advisory Group. The Launching Investor Group includes AXA Investment Managers, Columbia Threadneedle Investments, BNP Paribas Asset Management, Church Commissioners for England, Domini Impact Investments, Federated Hermes Limited, Karner Blue Capital, Robeco, Storebrand Asset Management, and Christian Brothers Investment Services.