The Natural Capital Protocol is a standardised framework for business to measure and value its direct and indirect impacts and dependencies on natural capital. It was created under the auspices of the Natural Capital Coalition, and IUCN’s Global Business and Biodiversity Programme, along with WBCSD and a consortium of organisations, have led the business outreach.
In 2015, more than 50 businesses signed up to test the Protocol, and another 10 companies undertook “deep dives” to help ensure it is fit-for-purpose, before it was released in July 2016.
IUCN participated in two pilot tests, as well as overseeing the development of two sector guides on apparel and food & beverages.
Guidelines
The aim of the Protocol is to enable business to assess and better manage their direct and indirect interactions with natural capital. It aims to support better decisions by including how we interact with nature, or more specifically natural capital. Click here to download the Protocol and Framework from the Natural Capital Coalition website.
Natural Capital Protocol: Apparel and Food and Beverage Sector Guides
The sector guides provide additional guidance for businesses applying the Protocol in different sectors. IUCN has been involved in the production of two: the Apparel Sector Guide and the Food and Beverage Guide.
Video
What is natural capital and why is it important? Watch Gerard Bos, Director, Director – Global Business & Biodiversity Programme interviewed on Green Views.