The University of Oxford and Accounting for Nature join forces to advance global environmental accounting

Accounting for Nature and the Department of Biology, University of Oxford is proud to announce the launch of a strategic research collaboration aimed at expanding evidence-based environmental accounting and the use of the Accounting for Nature® Framework globally. This initiative will place a particular emphasis on the United Kingdom and European context, contributing to the advancement of Accounting for Nature measurement methodologies aimed at enhancing our understanding of the state of nature and driving more significant and positive environmental and societal impacts through informed decision-making and investment.

Dr Adrian Ward, Chief Executive Officer at Accounting for Nature comments:

“This collaboration with the University of Oxford underscores our commitment to expanding the reach and impact of the Accounting for Nature® Framework on a global scale. We are excited to work with world-leading experts to advance the science of environmental accounting. We aim to deepen our understanding of the state of nature and elevate the intrinsic value of nature for both people and the planet.”

This collaboration comes at a crucial time as the global community increasingly recognises the importance of nature in economic and financial systems. The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) has highlighted the need for organisations to integrate nature into their risk management and decision-making processes. The Oxford collaboration aligns with this global movement by developing robust, science-based methods for measuring, benchmarking and reporting on the state of nature, enabling organisations to better assess and mitigate nature-related risks and capitalise on emerging opportunities.

Central to this collaboration is the scientific leadership provided by the University of Oxford. The University will undertake rigorous scientific investigations to develop best practices for measuring the state of nature, including guidelines for determining the natural intact or pristine reference state of environmental assets, establishing counterfactual analysis, and developing state of nature monitoring methods. These investigations will culminate in peer-reviewed publications, providing a solid scientific foundation to inform the continued evolution of the Accounting for Nature® Framework and guide the global community in addressing environmental challenges.

The project will also explore critical areas such as using Accounting for Nature® Certified Environmental Accounts to support nature-based solutions to climate change, emerging environmental markets and Nature Positive Claims Nature Positive Labelling Rules. This research will support the development of robust guidelines and frameworks, ensuring that the highest standards of scientific integrity underpin environmental accounting practices. The outcomes will not only strengthen the Accounting for Nature® Framework but will also contribute to global efforts to address climate change and promote biodiversity conservation.

Professor Dame E.J. Milner-Gulland, Tasso Leventis Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Oxford comments

 “Developing a standardised approach for measuring biodiversity that can support global policy, organisational strategies, and national reporting is a huge and vitally important challenge. Methods are needed that are grounded in real data collected at the local level, with measurements based on tested scientific methods. I’m very excited about the partnership between Oxford and Accounting for Nature, to work on these issues. We’re looking forward to collaborating with colleagues across the world to ensure that their expertise in ecological monitoring can be deployed in support of efforts to chart progress towards meeting global goals for nature recovery.’’

Oxford will also facilitate a series of workshops aimed at maximising the impact of this collaboration. These workshops will support the development of research outputs, introduce key stakeholders to environmental accounting practices, particularly the Accounting for Nature® Framework, and assist potential stakeholders in identifying and addressing nature-related risks and opportunities within their operations. Through these sessions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of environmental accounting and how it can be applied effectively to support decision-making. Dr Molly Grace, Lecturer in Ecology and Conservation at the University of Oxford comments:

“The Department of Biology has long been a leader in impact evaluation for conservation, with academics playing key roles in developing internationally-recognised frameworks like the IUCN Green Status of Species and trailblazing methods for measuring an organisation's biodiversity footprint. This collaboration with Accounting for Nature further cements the University of Oxford's vital role informing environmental accounting in the UK and Europe, with the long-term aim of ensuring that nature-positive claims are evidence-based.” 

As part of the broader scope of this collaboration, the University of Oxford will play a vital role in supporting Accounting for Nature’s expansion into the United Kingdom and European markets. This will further enhance the framework’s applicability and relevance in diverse environmental contexts.

By combining the scientific expertise of the University of Oxford with Accounting for Nature’s pioneering framework for measuring the state of nature, this collaboration aims to set new standards for environmental accounting and the management of nature and biodiversity.

About Accounting for Nature

Accounting for Nature is an independent not-for-profit organisation dedicated to developing rigorous, science-based environmental accounting standards. Our mission is to accredit and verify credible and transparent state of nature measures, enabling landholders, investors, and governments to make informed decisions that contribute to valuing nature, everywhere. For more information visit accountingfornature.org.

Media contacts

University of Oxford: Dr Molly Grace, Email molly.grace@biology.ox.ac.uk

Accounting for Nature: Melissa Brooks, Email mbrooks@accountingfornature.org.au, M: + 61 402 042 739