Frameworks

The metrics featured in the Nature Action Portal are drawn exclusively from established frameworks and reviewed for alignment across the same set of frameworks. This page provides an overview of the frameworks included in these assessments, organized by sector and topic. The lists reflect the status of frameworks at the time the assessments were conducted. For more details about the approach, refer to the Methodology page.

Agri-food

# Framework name Reference documents Links
1 CDP – Carbon Disclosure Project CDP Forests 2023 Questionnaire Our Question Bank – CDP
2 CSRD ESRS – Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive European Sustainability Reporting Standards ESRS 1, ESRS 2, ESRS E1-E5 (2024 version) ESRS Set 1
3 GBF – United Nations Global Biodiversity Framework GBF Targets 1-23 15/4. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
4 GHG-P LSRG – GHG Protocol Land Sector and Removals Guidance GHG Protocol Land Sector and Removals Guidance Land Sector and Removals Guidance | GHG Protocol
5 GRI – Global Reporting Initiative GRI 101: Biodiversity 2024 GRI – GRI Standards English Language
6 IFRS – International Financial Reporting Standards IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information & IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures IFRS – IFRS Sustainability Standards Navigator
7 SBTi FLAG – Science Based Targets initiative – Forest, Land and Agriculture Forest, land and agriculture Science Based Target-setting guidance SBTi FLAG Guidance
8 SBTN – Science Based Targets Network SBTN Land Land targets – Science Based Targets Network
9 TNFD – Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures TNFD Recommendations & TNFD Additional sector guidance: Food and agriculture TNFD TNFD Recommendations   

Additional sector guidance – Food and agriculture – TNFD 

10 UN – CCD – United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification The UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework The UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework | UNCCD
11 UN – FCCC – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UN Framework Convention on Climate Change United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | UNFCCC

UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

12 UNEP – LUFIH – United Nations Environment Programme – Land Use Finance Impact Hub UNEP Land Use Finance Impact Hub KPI List – Land Use Impact Hub
13 WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development WBCSD Regenerative Agriculture metrics A Global Framework for Regenerative Agriculture | WBCSD

 

Built Environment

# Framework name Reference documents Links
1 CSRD ESRS – Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive European Sustainability Reporting Standards ESRS E1-E4 (2024 version) ESRS Set 1
2 GBF – United Nations Global Biodiversity Framework GBF Targets 1-23 15/4. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
3 GRI – Global Reporting Initiative GRI 101: Biodiversity 2024 GRI – GRI Standards English Language
4 SASB – Sustainability Accounting Standards Board SASB: Real Estate & SASB: Engineering and Construction Services & SASB: Home Builders & SASB: Construction Materials SASB | Navigator
5 TNFD – Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures TNFD Recommendations & TNFD Additional sector guidance: Engineering, construction and real estate & TNFD Additional sector guidance: Construction materials TNFD Recommendations 

Additional sector guidance – Engineering, construction and real estate – TNFD 

Additional sector guidance – Construction materials – TNFD 

6 WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development WBCSD Circular Transition Indicators Circular Transition Indicators (CTI) for Buildings – Sector Guidance | WBCSD

 

Energy

# Framework name Reference documents Links
1 CSRD ESRS – Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive European Sustainability Reporting Standards ESRS E1-E4 (2024 version) ESRS Set 1
2 GBF – United Nations Global Biodiversity Framework GBF Targets 1-23 15/4. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
3 GRI – Global Reporting Initiative GRI 101: Biodiversity 2024 GRI – GRI Standards English Language
4 SASB – Sustainability Accounting Standards Board SASB: Oil & Gas – Exploration and Production & SASB: Oil & Gas – Midstream & SASB: Oil & Gas – Services & SASB: Construction Materials & SASB: Electric Utilities & Power Generators & SASB: Biofuels & SASB: Wind Technology & Project Developers SASB | Navigator
5 TNFD – Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures TNFD Recommendations & TNFD Additional sector guidance: Electric utilities and power generators & TNFD Additional sector guidance: Oil and gas TNFD Recommendations 

Additional sector guidance – Electric utilities and power generators – TNFD 

Additional sector guidance – Oil and gas – TNFD 

6 WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development WBCSD Circular Transition Indicators Circular Transition Indicators (CTI) for Buildings – Sector Guidance | WBCSD

 

Forest: Raw Materials

# Framework name Reference documents Links
1 AFi – Accountability Framework initiative The Accountability Framework Core Principles Home – Accountability Framework

The Accountability Framework Core Principles

2 CCFM SFMI – Canadian Council of Forest Ministers The CCFM framework of Criteria and Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management in Canada The Canadian Council of Forest Ministers’ framework of Criteria and Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management in Canada
3 CDP – Carbon Disclosure Project CDP Forests Our Question Bank – CDP
4 CSRD ESRS – Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive European Sustainability Reporting Standards ESRS E4 (2024 version) ESRS Set 1
5 EUDR – European Union Deforestation Regulation EU Deforestation Regulation Regulation on Deforestation-free products – European Commission
6 Forest Europe SFMI – Forest Europe Sustainable Forest Management Initiative Sustainable Forest Management Criteria & Indicators Sustainable Forest Management – FOREST EUROPE
7 FSC – Forest Stewardship Council FSC Principles and Criteria for Forest Stewardship Standard Forest Stewardship Council Principles and Criteria for Forest Stewardship Standard
8 GRI – Global Reporting Initiative GRI 101: Biodiversity 2024 GRI – GRI Standards English Language
9 ITTO Africa SFMI – The International Tropical Timber Organization – Africa Sustainable Forest Management Initiative ITTO Criteria and indicators for the sustainable management of tropical forests Criteria and indicators | ITTO | The International Tropical Timber Organization
10 PEFC – Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification PEFC Sustainable Forest Management – Requirements PEFC Sustainable Forest Management – Requirements
11 SASB – Sustainability Accounting Standards Board SASB: Forestry Management & SASB: Pulp & Paper Products SASB | Navigator
12 SBTN – Science Based Targets Network SBTN Land Set targets – Science Based Targets Network
13 SFI – Sustainable Forestry Initiative SFI Forest Management Standard Sustainable Forestry Initiative: Forest Management Standard
14 TNFD – Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures TNFD Recommendations & TNFD Additional sector guidance: Forestry, pulp and paper TNFD Recommendations 

Additional sector guidance – Forestry, pulp and paper – TNFD 

 

Forest: Manufacturing

# Framework name Reference documents Links
1 CDP – Carbon Disclosure Project CDP Water & Biodiversity Our Question Bank – CDP
2 CSRD ESRS – Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive European Sustainability Reporting Standards ESRS E2-E5 (2024 version) ESRS Set 1
3 GRI – Global Reporting Initiative GRI 101: Biodiversity 2024 & GRI 300 series: Environmental topics (Water and Waste) GRI – GRI Standards English Language
4 SASB – Sustainability Accounting Standards Board SASB: Pulp & Paper Products & SASB: Building Products & Furnishings SASB | Navigator
5 SBTN – Science Based Targets Network SBTN Freshwater Set targets – Science Based Targets Network
6 TNFD – Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures TNFD Recommendations & TNFD Additional sector guidance: Forestry, pulp and paper TNFD Recommendations 

Additional sector guidance – Forestry, pulp and paper – TNFD 

 

Pharmaceutical

# Framework name Reference documents Links
1 AMR Industry Alliance – Antimicrobial Resistance Industry alliance AMR Industry Alliance various methodological documents Home – AMR Industry Alliance 

AMR Shared Goals  

The 2023 AMR Industry Alliance Progress Survey: Antimicrobial Resistance 

The 2023 AMR Industry Alliance Progress Survey: Manufacturing and the environment 

The AMR Industry Alliance Framework 

AMR’s Common Antibiotic Manufacturing Framework 

AMR Alliance Science-Based PNEC Targets for Risk Assessments 

2 CDP – Carbon Disclosure Project CDP Climate Change, CDP Forests, CDP Water Security, CDP Plastics & CDP Biodiversity Our Question Bank – CDP
3 CSRD ESRS – Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive European Sustainability Reporting Standards ESRS E1-E5 (2024 version) ESRS Set 1
4 EFPIA – European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations EFPIA various methodological documents EFPIA Homepage 

Competitive Strategy of European Life Sciences 

Clear Steps Toward a Greener Future – Pharmaceutical Sector’s Environmental Sustainability Statement 

5 GBF – United Nations Global Biodiversity Framework GBF Targets 1-23 15/4. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
6 GRI – Global Reporting Initiative GRI 101: Biodiversity 2024 & GRI 300 series: Environmental topics GRI – GRI Standards English Language
7 PSCI – Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative PSCI various methodological documents PSCI 

PSCI Principles for Responsible Supply Chain Management 

Decarbonization Playbook for the Pharmaceutical Industry 

Environmental Survey For Suppliers Webinar – Recording & Slides 

8 SASB – Sustainability Accounting Standards Board SASB: Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals & SASB: Drug Retailers SASB | Navigator
9 SBTN – Science Based Targets Network SBTN guidance Overview – Science Based Targets Network
10 TNFD – Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures TNFD Recommendations & TNFD Additional sector guidance: Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals TNFD Recommendations 

Additional sector guidance – Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals – TNFD 

11 WHO – World Health Organization WHO various methodological documents World Health Organization (WHO) 

Quality assurance of pharmaceuticals: a compendium of guidelines and related materials: volume 1: Good practices and related regulatory guidance, 10th ed (Pg. 242-244) 

Quality assurance of pharmaceuticals: a compendium of guidelines and related materials: volume 2: Good manufacturing practices and inspection, 10th ed 

TRS 1025 – 54th report of the WHO Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations 

 

Supply Chain: Agri-food & Forest

# Framework name Reference documents Links
1 AFi – Accountability Framework initiative The Accountability Framework Core Principles Home – Accountability Framework

The Accountability Framework Core Principles

2 AWS – Alliance for Water Stewardship The International Water Stewardship Standard (AWS Standard) Alliance for Water Stewardship, International Water Stewardship Standard 2.0
3 Boreal SFMI – Boreal Sustainable Forest Management Initiative Montréal Process Criteria and Indicators for the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Temperate and Boreal Forests The Montréal Process Criteria and Indicators
4 CCFM SFMI – Canadian Council of Forest Ministers The CCFM framework of Criteria and Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management in Canada The Canadian Council of Forest Ministers’ framework of Criteria and Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management in Canada
5 CSRD ESRS – Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive European Sustainability Reporting Standards ESRS E1-E5 and G1 (2024 version) ESRS Set 1
6 EUDR – European Union Deforestation Regulation EU Deforestation Regulation Regulation on Deforestation-free products – European Commission
7 Forest Europe SFMI – Forest Europe Sustainable Forest Management Initiative Sustainable Forest Management Criteria & Indicators Sustainable Forest Management – FOREST EUROPE
8 FSC – Forest Stewardship Council FSC Principles and Criteria for Forest Stewardship Standard Forest Stewardship Council Principles and Criteria for Forest Stewardship Standard
9 GBF – United Nations Global Biodiversity Framework GBF Targets 1-23 15/4. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
10 GRI – Global Reporting Initiative GRI 101: Biodiversity 2024 & GRI 300 series: Environmental topics GRI – GRI Standards English Language
11 IFRS – International Financial Reporting Standards IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information & IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures IFRS – IFRS Sustainability Standards Navigator
12 SASB – Sustainability Accounting Standards Board SASB: Forestry Management & SASB: Agricultural Products SASB | Navigator
13 SBTi – FLAG – Science Based Targets initiative – Forest, Land and Agriculture Forest, land and agriculture Science Based Target-setting guidance SBTi FLAG Guidance
14 SBTN – Science Based Targets Network SBTN Corporate Manual Overview – Science Based Targets Network

Corporate manual for setting SBT for Nature

15 SFI – Sustainable Forestry Initiative SFI Forest Management Standard Sustainable Forestry Initiative: Forest Management Standard
16 TNFD – Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures TNFD Recommendations & TNFD Additional sector guidance: Food and agriculture & TNFD Additional sector guidance: Forestry, pulp and paper  TNFD Recommendations 

Additional sector guidance – Food and agriculture – TNFD 

Additional sector guidance – Forestry, pulp and paper – TNFD 

 

Water

# Framework name Reference documents Links
1 AWS – Alliance for Water Stewardship The International Water Stewardship Standard (AWS Standard), 2.0 Home | Alliance for Water Stewardship

AWS Standard | Alliance for Water Stewardship

2 CDP – Carbon Disclosure Project CDP Water Security (2023), CDP Forests (2023) Our Question Bank – CDP
3 CSRD ESRS – Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive European Sustainability Reporting Standards ESRS 1, ESRS 2, ESRS E1-E5 (2024 version) ESRS Set 1
4 GBF – United Nations Global Biodiversity Framework GBF Targets 1-23 15/4. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
5 GHG-P LSRG – GHG Protocol Land Sector and Removals Guidance GHG Protocol Land Sector and Removals Guidance Land Sector and Removals Guidance | GHG Protocol
6 GRI – Global Reporting Initiative GRI 101: Biodiversity 2024 & GRI 300 series: Environmental topics GRI – GRI Standards English Language
7 ICMM – International Council on Mining and Metals Water Reporting. Good practice guide, 2nd Edition ICMM

ICMM guidance water reporting

8 ISO 14046 – International Organization for Standardization – Standard 14046 ISO 14046:2014 – Environmental management — Water footprint — Principles, requirements and guidelines. Edition 1, 2014 ISO – Standards

ISO 14046:2014

9 PWI – Net Positive Water Impact Implementing Net Positive Water Impact Technical Guidance, Sept 2024 CEO Water Mandate | Sign the Commitment to Water Stewardship

PWI Tech Guidance

10 SASB – Sustainability Accounting Standards Board SASB various sector-specific guidance documents SASB | Navigator
11 SBTN – Science Based Targets Network SBTN Technical Guidance Step3, Measure, Set & Disclose, Freshwater Science Based Targets Network

Technical Guidance 2024 Step3 Freshwater 

12 TNFD – Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures TNFD Recommendations & various Additional sector guidance documents TNFD Recommendations 

Additional sector guidance – Food and agriculture – TNFD 

Additional sector guidance – Engineering, construction and real estate – TNFD 

Additional sector guidance – Construction materials – TNFD 

Additional sector guidance – Electric utilities and power generators – TNFD 

Additional sector guidance – Oil and gas – TNFD 

Additional sector guidance – Forestry, pulp and paper – TNFD 

Additional sector guidance – Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals – TNFD  

13 UN – CCD – United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification The UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework The UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework | UNCCD
14 UN – FCCC – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UN Framework Convention on Climate Change United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | UNFCCC

UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

15 UNEP – LUFIH – United Nations Environment Programme – Land Use Finance Impact Hub UNEP Land Use Finance Impact Hub KPI List – Land Use Impact Hub
16 WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development WBCSD Circular Transition Indicator V4.0 & WBCSD Regenerative Agriculture metrics The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

Circular Transition Indicators

A Global Framework for Regenerative Agriculture | WBCSD

17 WFN – Water Footprint Network The Water Footprint Assessment Manual, Setting the Gold Standard, 2011 Water Footprint Network – Water Footprint Network 

The Water Footprint Assessment Manual